Chalk paint is a popular choice for painting furniture and creating an antique look. One of the downsides to this paint is that it doesn’t have a wide variety of color options. You might be wondering if you can tint the paint yourself to make a new color that fits your expectations for your project.
So, can chalk paint be tinted? Yes! If you need a certain color of chalk paint, or nothing seems to be matching your vision, you can tint a white or gray chalk paint. There are a couple different ways you can do this, including other chalk paint or acrylic paint.
The product you use to tint the chalk paint will depend on how intense you want the final color to be and the level of matte you are trying to reach. The process of tinting is surprisingly easy and doesn’t require much effort. In this article we go over everything you need to know to properly tint your chalk paint. Let’s read on!
Can Chalk Paint Be Tinted Any Color?
The best thing about tinting chalk paint is you can make it just about any color you can imagine. It is most common to start out with a white base or even a gray base and mix other colors with it to lighten them and make them brighter.
My favorite and top pick is always Rust-Oleum Chalk Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Rust-Oleum Paints for all my projects.
You are not limited to just using these two colors, you can also use a colored base. This might be more ideal if you are trying to make a non-primary color. If your final color still doesn’t turn out how you want, you can try adding some black or white until you get what you are going for.
It’s also possible to mix some black with a colored base to make it darker and deeper. This would be ideal if you are trying to make a dark blue or a maroon. When mixing black with paint, you need to do so very carefully and avoid adding too much black. This can make your paint look muddy and too dark.
Can You Tint Chalk Paint with Acrylic?
Tinting chalk paint with acrylic is quick and easy. The best thing you can do is slowly add the acrylic paint to the chalk paint and mix it in as you add the paint. This will help you keep an eye on the color and prevent you from adding too much. You can always add more acrylic paint to the mixture, but you can’t take it back out.
My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Acrylic Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.
To avoid changing the consistency and matte finish of the paint, it is best to add as little acrylic paint to the mixture as possible. Add just enough to change the color of the paint and don’t add any more.
What Kind of Brush Do I Use for Chalk Paint?
There are so many different types of paintbrushes, it can be hard to figure out which brush will be the best for your project. You want to make sure you can get the best coverage possible with as little paint possible. You might be tempted to pick up the cheapest brush you can find, but you get what you pay for.
There are two different types of paintbrush bristles that you can choose from. There are synthetic bristle brushes that are made from nylon and polyester, then there are natural bristle brushes that are made from animal hair like a hog or a badger.
Synthetic brushes will provide you with a smooth finish and natural brushes will give you a textured, vintage finish.
I recommend using this Chalk Paint Paintbrush Set for your project. It comes with 5 brushes, and it includes a brush to apply the wax as well.
You always want to make sure you get a natural bristle brush, as this is the best option for chalk paints. Other brushes like nylon or hog, will leave your paint streaky and it won’t apply well.
When you use a cheap paint brush, the chalk paint won’t stick to the bristles very well. This doesn’t mean you need to buy the most expensive brush you can find, but you do need one that is going to be high quality. You will have an easier time picking up and applying the paint with a sturdy brush.
It is recommended to use a natural bristle brush for chalk paint to get the best results. Usually, when you are using chalk paint, you are trying to achieve a vintage look when you are finished.
Chalk paint also sticks to natural bristles easier than it sticks to synthetic bristles. The paint can quickly slide off a synthetic brush, causing you to get paint more often and use more product.
When you have to refill your brush frequently, you aren’t only wasting product, but you can also reduce the quality of the painting. This is because synthetic brushes have the tendency to be thick and stiff, which can prevent you from applying the paint evenly across the surface.
Natural bristles are going to be flexible and soft. This makes it easier to apply the paint in a smooth, even, and thin layer. The natural bristles also minimize the visible brush strokes while still providing you with a vintage look.
Can Rustoleum Chalk Paint Be Tinted to Any Color?
Rustoleum makes a tint base chalk paint that makes it extra easy to make colors that you want. According to their website, you can’t turn their tint bases into any color. It says the tint bases can be tinted up to 25 different colors.
I like to use Rust-Oleum because they sell a lot of their paint by the gallon, which is ultimately a bit more affordable than buying other brands that come in smaller bottles. The downside to a lot of these chalk paint brands is that they don’t make big enough tubs to complete a large furniture project, so you have to buy multiple bottles.
Do You Have to Seal Chalk Paint?
When painting with chalk paint, it is completely up to you whether you want to seal the finished product or not. You can leave your chalk paint alone and not use a sealant to prevent any alteration to how the paint looks. If you do add a sealant, your project will be protected from wear and tear, scratches, and peeling.
Leaving your chalk paint bare with no seal, you will be left with the beautiful, matte, chalky finish that you used the chalk paint for. The project will also naturally distress over time, so it will start to look even more antique over time. This option is also the most budget and time friendly because you don’t need to spend extra money on a sealant.
If you are painting an object that is going to be used frequently, you should put a sealant on it. This will add extra protection and prevent the paint from distressing too quickly. The largest downside to using a sealant on your chalk paint is how it will impact the color.
I recommend this Rust-Oleum Matte Finish for your chalk paint project. It still leaves it as a matte and chalky finish, but you know your paint is protected with the varnish.
Another option you have is applying a wax layer. This Jolie Finishing Wax is a great choice for sealing your chalk paint project. With wax, sometimes the final color may be a tad darker than the original, but it’s worth it if you know the paint will be frequently touched or be exposed to outdoor weather.
Final Thoughts
If you are planning on using chalk paint for a project but you can’t find the right color, you can always try to tint your own chalk paint to change the color. You can do this with other chalk paint or acrylic paint. Always start out by adding a little bit of paint to the mix, because you can always add more paint, but you can’t take any back out.
The best paintbrush to use for chalk paint is a natural bristle brush because it will help enhance the antique finish of the paint. You also might want to seal your chalk paint, but it isn’t necessary unless you plan on using the object every day. It is important to keep in mind that adding a sealant can alter the color of your paint, so make sure this change is worth it before sealing.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your chalk paint project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!