My wife paints furniture as a hobby and is planning to lease a space in a consignment shop to sell her wares. What's selling these days is "farmhouse" style that is typically latex "chalk" paint.

I'm old school and not a fan of latex on furniture because (IMO) it doesn't adhere well and is susceptible to scratches. I can't talk her out of using what's selling so how can I help her make it as durable as possible without losing "the look"?

My concern is future customer complaints & re-work.

 

She may need to apply a solvent based primer first. The primer should adhere well to the existing finish. Not sure how you'd make the chalk paint more durable. applying a poly over the paint would loose the effect.

 

All the brands of chalk paint are latex but can the chalk (plaster) be added to alkyd enamel instead of latex?
I notice in ads for chalk-painted items that some people apply a clear top-coat. I suppose that makes it more scratch-resistant but then it no longer looks and feels like chalk paint.

 

Does your wife want your help with this? This seems like something where you should bite your tongue and concentrate on other things.

 

Yes she asks for my help. If I don't help she'll probably go ask the paint guy at Home Depot. Wonder how that will turn out...

 

No. .................................................

 

Why--What'll happen?

(Filler for 25-character minimum)

 

It won't mix together well.

 

For purposes of mixing, think of latex as water. I think we all know oil and water don't mix well.

 

I'm not looking to mix oil- and water-based paints. Looking to add a powder (plaster, calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth) to oil-based enamel

 

But the powder is intended to be dissolved by water, not oil. You can always try it but I doubt it will turn out well.

 

Here's the thing, Mark. The chalk in chalk paint is calcium carbonate, which is powdered limestone. I don't think rock "dissolves" any better in water than in mineral spirits.
I don't know if everyone uses latex because it's easier, or it's the only thing that works but it looks like the only way I'm going to find out is by trying it.