I ordered a new product and thought I would share – Webster’s Chalk Paint Powder. I was intrigued because when added to any latex paint it turns it into chalk paint. This is such a great idea as I love the many color choices that latex paint offers but I’m now such a chalk paint junkie that I hardly use them anymore!
As far as cost goes, the bag of powder with shipping was around seventeen dollars and will make a quart of paint. A quart of Behr latex is also typically around seventeen dollars so there is a savings, albeit not huge (a quart of retail chalk paint is around $40). However, the powder can be added to a small sample size of paint ($3?) so if you are using it for smaller projects, there is a big savings. Let me add that I have tried making chalk paint in the past with plaster of paris but it never really worked out too well. So, I ordered the powder and gave it a whirl!
The directions call to first mix 2 tablespoons of the chalk paint powder with one tablespoon of water. After mixing, add it to one cup of latex. I had a little Behr’s sample size of Benjamin Moore’s color Wickham Gray and added my chalk paint powder/water mix into it. I gave it a stir and then applied it to a very old coffee table that has been waiting a long, cold winter in my garage for its time to be redone!
The paint did apply easily, with no lumps, and was similar in texture to a quart of retail chalk paint. It is not quite as “chalky” and took a little bit longer to dry than the retail chalk paint (but really not long at all and not as long as straight latex). I ended up applying two coats to the table for good coverage.
I was hoping it would sand easily and it did. 
It required a coarser grit sandpaper (I used 220) as compared to the super smooth grit paper that I typically use. It sanded easily and distressed nicely. You can see below how the old leather top really pops with the sanding back – it actually looks like it was crackle finished! I was very pleased with the final smooth finish. I added a coat of clear wax for a durable finish and that gave it a great finishing touch.
The chalk paint powder is a great alternative to the chalk paint retail quarts. I would not use it to replace them (the retail colors and paint itself is so great) but I do love the idea of making my own chalk paint for smaller projects using any color I desire.
Thumbs up!
Suzanne
