Chalk Paint Recipe Calcium Carbonate

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There are two types of chalk paint: the washable kind that you can use on the sidewalk and the permanent kind that you can use on furniture. To make the washable kind of paint, you will need to use chalk or cornstarch as a base. To make the permanent kind, you will need something more durable such as Plaster of Paris. Making your own paint takes more effort than running to the store and buying some, but it can save you lots of money!

1
Choose your chalk. Thick sidewalk chalk works the best for this. You can also use regular chalk, like the kind teachers use on chalkboards. If you want something more vibrant, you could try soft chalk pastels (not the oil kind).
- This method creates a washable sidewalk chalk. It will not work on furniture or DIY chalkboards.
2
Grind chalk into a powder. The easiest way to do this would be with a food grater.^[1] If you don't have any graters on hand, place the chalk into a plastic bag, then smash it with a hammer until it is fine and powdery.
- If you are using a food grater, make sure it's not one that you actually cook with. Use a separate one.
3
Mix the chalk with some water. Pour the powdered chalk into a plastic container. Stir in up to ½ cup (120 milliliters) of water.^[2] If you used regular chalk or a chalk pastel, try 1/4 to 1/3 cup (60 to cc milliliters) instead.
- Plastic food containers and clean, empty yogurt containers work great for this.
- If the paint is too thin, add some more chalk. If the paint is too thick, add in a little bit more water.
4

Use the paint. Dip a paintbrush into the paint, then draw designs on the sidewalk or driveway. Let the paint dry, then marvel in your artwork. To clean up the sidewalk or driveway, simply wash it down with water.

1
Place 6 tablespoons (45 grams) of cornstarch into a bowl. This recipe is great for making washable sidewalk paint.^[3] It is not recommended for furniture or DIY chalkboards.
- If you can't find cornstarch, look for cornflour instead (but not cornmeal).
2

Slowly stir in some cold water into the cornstarch. You will need a little less than ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of water. Stir the two together with a whisk until the cornstarch dissolves. Do not over-mix, however, or the cornstarch will start to turn solid. If you can drizzle the cornstarch water from your whisk, you're ready for the next step.^[4]
3

Stir in some food coloring. You can use either the liquid kind or the gel kind. You can also use liquid watercolor instead. How much you add is completely up to you. The more you add, the darker, deeper the color will be. Start with a few drops, and see how you like it.^[5]
4
Use the paint. Dip a paintbrush into the paint, then paint designs onto your sidewalk or driveway. Let it dry and admire your work. When you are done, simply wash it away with water.
- Although this paint is washable, it can stain light surfaces. Be careful!

1
Have your surface ready to paint. This recipe dries quickly; you won't be able to store the paint for later use. Have your work surface covered and your brushes laid out. If the surface you are going to paint needs to be sanded or cleaned, do this now.^[6]
- This recipe is perfect for making DIY chalkboards.
- You can use this recipe to paint furniture as well.
2
Mix some grout with water. Place 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of non-sanded grout into a mixing container. Stir in 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of cool water. You want the consistency to be smooth.
- The container needs to be large enough to hold at least 1 cup (240 milliliters).
3

Stir some paint into the grout mixture. Pour 1 cup (240 milliliters) of latex or acrylic paint into the grout mixture. Stir it in well until the consistency is smooth. You will need to stir for a good 5 minutes or so.^[7]
4
Apply two coats of paint. Use a paintbrush or a foam brush to apply your first coat of paint. Let it dry for a few hours, then apply a second one.^[8] You can use acrylic or latex paint.^[9]
- If you are painting a DIY chalkboard, consider using dark green or black paint.
5

Allow the paint to cure for 3 days. This is very important. If you use your surface too soon, the paint may come off or turn gummy.^[10]
6
Condition the surface if you are using it as a chalkboard. If you plan on using your surface as an actual chalkboard, you should prime it. To prime the chalkboard, simply coat the entire surface with a piece of chalk, then wipe it off with a dry cloth.^[11]
- Skip this step if you painted a piece of furniture that you don't plan writing on.

1

Make a basic recipe with Plaster of Paris. Mix together 2½ tablespoons (31 grams) of Plaster of Paris and 1½ tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) of cool water. Stir in 1 cup (240 milliliters) of latex paint.
2
Make distress-able paint with calcium carbonate. Combine 2 tablespoons (25 grams) of calcium carbonate with 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of water. Stir this into 1 cup (240 milliliters) of latex paint.^[12]
- This paint works well in paint sprayers.
- This paint is great for painting furniture and then distressing it with sandpaper.
- You can find calcium carbonate powder in health food stores and online.^[13]
3
Make durable paint with both calcium carbonate and Plaster of Paris. Mix together 2 tablespoons (25 grams) of calcium carbonate powder, 2 tablespoons (25 grams) of Plaster of Paris, and 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of cool water. Add 2 cups (475 milliliters) of latex paint and stir well.^[14]
- This paint durable. It does not scratch or distress easily.
4
Use baking soda with care. Baking soda is more readily available than calcium carbonate and Plaster of Paris. The resulting finish is very grainy, however. If the texture doesn't bother you, you can prepare baking soda chalk paint by stirring ⅓ cup (60 grams) of baking soda into ⅔ cups (160 milliliters) of paint.
- If the paint is too thick, try dissolving ½ cup (90 grams) of baking soda in 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) of water, then adding it to 1 cup (240 milliliters) of latex paint.

Add New Question

Question

Can I add an essence which I like, such vanilla essence?

Yes, that would be a wonderful idea! Try to use essential oil instead of extract, however. Extract may discolor the paint.
Question

Is the paint thick and bright?

It can be depending on what you put into it. Paint made from powdered chalk and water will be thin and pale. Paint made from grout and paint will be thicker and brighter.
Question

Can I use chalk paint on paper?

Yes, but it might be messy as the paper won't be able to absorb the water very well.
Question

Can I seal chalk paint to create a more permanent piece?

Yes, I did this. I started with interior white primer paint. While the surface was still wet, I ground up my children's sidewalk chalk and spread it on the wet painted surface and then blended it using my fingers. Once I was done I allowed it to dry. To my surprise, it actually stayed in place. Still, I would not experiment on anything you're afraid of ruining.
Question

Why do I need to add water before adding the glue?

The water causes it to be more viscous and easier to work with rather than putting a really thick substance into a very dry substance and letting it become clumpy.
Question

What if I need another color of chalk paint?

If you can't find the color that you want, you could try mixing colors instead. It might be easier to do this while the chalk is still in powder form, before adding the liquid.
Question

Will vineger make the color stronger like it does with Easter egg dye?

Not really. Unfortunately, most chalk-based paints will dry a lot lighter. If you are using the powdered chalk recipe, try using a soft chalk pastel (not the oil kind). The color will come out brighter.
Question

Can I paint furniture with this mix?

You can paint furniture using the grout-based paint. You can also use the recipes with calcium carbonate, Plaster of Paris, and baking soda. The paint made from cornstarch and powdered chalk will not work.
Question

Is this stuff safe for the side of a house?

If you want the paint to wash off, use the recipe with powdered chalk or cornstarch. If you want it to be permanent, you could try the recipe using grout, calcium carbonate, or Plaster of Paris.
Question

Can you use the paint on an art canvas?

Two of the most commonly used paints for canvas art are oil and acrylic paints. Acrylic comes in as an all-time favorite with its favorable qualities; it's easy-to-work with and dries quickly. Oil paint is another winner with its thick, gluey consistency it is the perfect paint recipe paired beautifully with canvas.

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Video

Mix different colors of chalk create a new color.
Make an especially artistic hopscotch court with a range of different colors.
If you're having a yard sale, use chalk-painted arrows to direct potential customers down the sidewalk to your house.
Use chalk paint to write messages on a chalk board. Create to-do lists or inspirational messages.

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Things You'll Need

Sidewalk chalk
Cheese grater
Small container for mixing
Stirring utensil
Paintbrushes

Cornstarch
Water
Food coloring
Small whisk
Small container for mixing
Paintbrushes

Non-sanded grout
Water
Latex or acrylic paint
Mixing container
Stir stick
Paintbrushes or foam brushes

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To make chalk paint, start by grinding some chalk into powder using a food grater. If you don't have a food grater, put the chalk in a plastic bag and smash it into a powder instead. Next, mix the chalk powder with around 1/2 cup of water in a bowl. Once the powder and water are stirred together, you're done! Dip a paintbrush in your chalk paint and draw designs with it on a sidewalk or driveway. For other chalk paint recipes, including how to make chalk paint with cornstarch, read on!

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