Have you ever tried salt paint? It’s a super easy way to get that thick, crackled look of things aged by the wear of salt water and time to look like they came straight out of an old beach cottage. Besides being absolutely gorgeous, it’s easy to do with any type of paint by adding just a couple of things you might already have (or can pick up at the craft store for super cheap!) Since I love a good, unique paint finish (like my Shabby Farmhouse Style), I thought I’d share this easy technique you can do, too!
How to Make Your Own Salt Paint Recipe
I’ve been surprisingly into creating videos lately, and this one is no exception – so there’s a complete video to show you how I did it step by step. But I did want to give you a few quick tips.
- Mix your salt paint in a non-reactive dish (I use old glass bowls)
- Don’t mix more than you need. While you can put it in an air-tight container to keep for a few days, it won’t be as good as freshly mixed paint.
- Use cheap chip brushes to apply the salt paint. All those brush strokes along with the rough texture it creates only enhances the overall finish. You WANT to be messy – gloopy – and very thick. As it dries, this is what makes the texture amazing after sanding.
Salt Paint Recipe
*this post contains affiliate links to my Amazon shop – which means if you make a purchase then I may earn a commission*
- 3 tablespoons plaster of Paris
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons paint (I used acrylic)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt (you need kosher for the texture – plain table salt will not give you the same result.)
Now that I’ve told you how to make it – here’s a step by step video to show you exactly how I made it, paint it and also finish it.
Want to see more of that yummy beach cottage paint finish?!?
Soon I’ll share how to make this sign – but that’s for another day 🙂
Michelle says
June 27, 2018 at 12:11 pmThis turned out BEAUTIFUL!!! Thank you so much! I’m not sure if you answered this already, but how long should I let it dry before I use it?
Gina Luker says
June 28, 2018 at 8:17 pmThanks so much Michelle! Just let it dry until it is completely dry…just give it a touch and you’ll know 🙂
Shona says
September 26, 2018 at 8:02 amHi can I use this on my wooden floor? Will it be non slip and do I have to finish with a wax too make it water tight? X
Gina Luker says
September 27, 2018 at 3:30 pmI am not sure that would work Shona, I have only used this technique for DIY projects and don’t know how well…if at all it would hold up to foot traffic.
Gigi says
October 1, 2018 at 8:08 pmI have mixed SAND with acrylic paint and painted a front porch and steps–it held up very well to weather and foot traffic!
Gina Luker says
October 2, 2018 at 9:21 amWow, thanks so much for sharing Gigi, I bet it’s beautiful!!
Nancy says
October 19, 2018 at 9:47 pmI’ve also used sand mixed with paint.
We painted this mix on Pool steps to prevent anyone from slipping on the painted steps.
The sand made a huge difference!
That was in 2008, and it’s still working!
Gina Luker says
October 22, 2018 at 10:28 amThat is a great idea Nancy, thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Mary says
January 7, 2019 at 12:25 pmDid you mix just paint and sand or all the other ingredients as well?
Melanie L Partridge says
January 19, 2019 at 10:10 pmI thought of that but since I WANTED it for a beach on souvenir paintings, and needed it to be a little more durable, I mixed my sand with plain old Elmer’s glue, then put paint in to get the right color. Let me tell you, that stuff will NEVER come off!
Gina Luker says
January 21, 2019 at 12:35 pmWow, thanks for sharing Melanie!
Deb says
September 8, 2019 at 9:47 amDid you use the plaster of Paris or just the sand and paint?
Gina Luker says
September 9, 2019 at 10:38 amJust sand and paint Deb 🙂
Sherry says
June 30, 2018 at 5:16 pmDid you really mean: 2 tablespoons of paint, in you list of ingredients?
Gina Luker says
July 2, 2018 at 12:23 pmYes I did 🙂 Give it a try, I bet you’ll love it!
Cynthia Edmondson Ballard says
September 1, 2018 at 10:54 amI’M SO EXCITED TO TRY THIS! I love Aqua too! So does my sister. I’ve shared this with her & saved you to my board. Reading 3 to see where I can sign up with my email to your blog here hopefully I’ll find it I’m not very goid at blogging! but that’s okay I’m learning and it’s fun and I absolutely love this idea thank you so very very much look forward to reading all of your ideas.
Thank you, Cynthia.
Gina Luker says
September 3, 2018 at 10:59 amThanks so much Cynthia! Good luck 🙂
Claudia Tull says
October 13, 2018 at 10:00 amtwo tablespoons of paint won’t go very far. Can you mix larger quantities?
Gina Luker says
October 15, 2018 at 12:34 pmSure Claudia, I just didn’t need much for this project 🙂
Kelly says
August 12, 2018 at 6:34 amIs there another ingredient you can use other than Plaster of Paris, or can you make it with products you may have at home?
Gina Luker says
August 14, 2018 at 10:06 amI don’t know Kelly, this is the only way I’ve tried it. Let me know if you find another way!!
Kasia says
July 2, 2018 at 7:43 amThis is genius! And I love this color 🙂 Gotta question though. Does it have to be acrylic paint or would work with the chalk paint(or any other paint) as well? Thanks for sharing Gina!
Gina Luker says
July 2, 2018 at 5:01 pmHey Kasia,
Thanks!! Any paint works – but you may have to tweak the amount of paint to get the right consistency 🙂 Have fun!
Kasia says
July 5, 2018 at 12:41 pmThanks for the tip Gina!
Sherry says
July 3, 2018 at 11:47 amWow that turned out really beautiful…love the look of it! thank you for sharing!
Gina Luker says
July 4, 2018 at 10:15 amThanks so much Sherry 🙂
Leah says
July 20, 2018 at 9:05 amI’m going to give this a try! I’ve bought the salt wash brand mix and got absolutely no result
Gina Luker says
July 20, 2018 at 11:33 amGo for it Leah, I hope you like it and have fun!!
Vanessa says
July 23, 2018 at 2:29 pmThanks for sharing! Does it only need one coat? How long does it take to dry?
Gina Luker says
July 24, 2018 at 3:48 pmMy pleasure Vanessa 🙂 Usually only one coat, you’ll know if you are happy with the results or if you prefer more. It takes about the same amount of time to dry as regular paint.
Deb says
July 24, 2018 at 3:23 pmIt matches your hair
Gina Luker says
July 24, 2018 at 3:47 pmLOL, yes it does Deb….imagine that 🙂
Md Alif hossen says
July 31, 2018 at 10:03 pmNice, as like you……………
Gina Luker says
August 1, 2018 at 1:02 pmThanks so much 🙂
Tanya says
July 24, 2018 at 7:24 pmI know you said to use kosher salt but can i use sea salt or Himalayan salt?
Gina Luker says
July 25, 2018 at 8:08 amYou will get a different effect Tanya, Kosher salt has larger crystals than sea salt or Himalayan salt. I would test it in a small batch first to see if it gives you the effect you like 🙂
Loren says
July 27, 2018 at 5:08 amI’m so interested in this salt paint. Is it going to use on cement and wood? And how about a larger area like a bathroom wall? Thank you. Loren
Gina Luker says
July 27, 2018 at 9:28 amHmmm, I am not sure, I’ve never used it on anything other than signs but I guess you could give it a try, if you do please let me know how it looks!!
Denise says
July 27, 2018 at 6:29 amWill this be Ok for an outside application or will it need to have a topcoat of varathane?
How do you get the lettering on the piece?
Gina Luker says
July 27, 2018 at 9:27 amYou can use a sealant for outside use and the lettering is one of my Chalk Couture transfers, you can see all of the amazing options like this one 🙂 Here is a link, https://www.chalkcouture.com/theshabbycreekcottage/
C says
July 30, 2018 at 2:07 pmAbsolutely GORGEOUS! I think I have my first Christmas present idea (YAY!!!!)
You may have answered this already, what is the paint color name? It’s so beachy.
Gina Luker says
July 30, 2018 at 4:08 pmThanks so much! I am so happy to have inspired your Christmas present idea 🙂 I just used Aqua craft paint from the craft store, sorry don’t have an exact name. Good luck!!
Gina Luker says
July 30, 2018 at 4:08 pmThanks so much! I am so happy to have inspired your Christmas present idea 🙂 I just used Aqua craft paint from the craft store, sorry don’t have an exact name. Good luck!!
Carla says
August 3, 2018 at 8:38 pmDid u use vinyl for the letters on the board or something else….if not what did u use? Thx love it.
Gina Luker says
August 6, 2018 at 2:35 pmHi Carla, I used one of my Chalk Couture transfers, here is a link to my store, https://www.chalkcouture.com/theshabbycreekcottage/
Please let me know if you have any questions 🙂
latee says
August 21, 2018 at 6:53 pmNice! New job for me
Gina Luker says
August 22, 2018 at 9:29 amThanks so much, I hope you enjoy it!! Good luck 🙂
Karloz Santana says
August 24, 2018 at 9:36 amSo if I want to make a bigger amount of paint I would just double the amount? Thanx for sharing the video….
Gina Luker says
August 24, 2018 at 10:42 amThanks Karloz, yes you can, good luck if you give it a try 🙂
Ashley says
September 6, 2018 at 2:09 amCan I use sand
Gina Luker says
September 6, 2018 at 7:15 amHmmmm, I’ve never tried it, but I bet it would have the same effect. Please let me know if you try it and how it turned out 🙂
Sherri Merritt says
September 13, 2018 at 7:20 amI was thinking the same thing….using course sand. Reason being, is that salt, over time is very corrosive and will deteriorate. Thanks for the info and video. I’ve never heard of salt paint before,lol!
Gina Luker says
September 13, 2018 at 8:29 amThanks Sherri, give it a try, it is beautiful!
regina cantanhêde says
September 6, 2018 at 1:16 pmI liked this ink too much. I did not know, the result was very good.
Gina Luker says
September 7, 2018 at 7:17 amThanks so much Regina!
susan says
October 7, 2018 at 8:22 pmGina, this is really a cool idea and so authentic looking. I just read through all the comments and don’t see my question. I want to paint a canvas painting of the ocean and sand beach. If I replace the salt with sand so the salt doesn’t break down the canvas over time, could I use this concoction?
Gina Luker says
October 8, 2018 at 2:25 pmHi Susan, first, that sounds like such a beautiful project! I can’t say for sure as I haven’t tried it but can’t see why not. I would give it a try on a practice canvas first to see if you like the effect before using it on your actual project. I sure would love to see it when it’s done! Good luck 🙂
Timothy Whitfield says
October 10, 2018 at 6:47 pmHi! Can you use this mixture on top of wood painted with a glossy finish? Thanks!
Gina Luker says
October 11, 2018 at 8:29 amI’m thinking you could Timothy, I haven’t tried it so can’t say for sure. If you give it a go, please let me know 🙂
sajid says
October 23, 2018 at 2:09 amawsome) may i konow the uses of this paint. Can u suggest me for exterioir walls of house ,less cost but strong for summer temp 45c.thanks
Lulu says
November 1, 2018 at 9:27 amThats just amazing. Thank you for the great DIY idea. I’m going to try this with something small first.
Gina Luker says
November 1, 2018 at 2:58 pmThanks Lulu, good luck!
Melinda says
January 6, 2019 at 7:44 amHow do you do lettering on such a rough texture and get it crisp? Love the texture.
Gina Luker says
January 7, 2019 at 11:03 amIt is definitely harder on a rough texture so you won’t get perfect clean lines, but I like it like that it looks more rustic and homey 🙂
Daisy Dianne Bromlow says
January 8, 2019 at 6:49 amLove that turquoise color – really beachy ! Looking forward to seeing the sign.
Gina Luker says
January 8, 2019 at 9:36 amThanks Daisy, it is my signature color 🙂
Barbara says
February 18, 2019 at 4:56 pmWhat did you wipe the painting off with .
Gina Luker says
February 19, 2019 at 11:00 amJust a wet paper towel…water 🙂
Ase says
March 17, 2019 at 4:48 amLoved your demo. Will have to try this❤
Gina Luker says
March 18, 2019 at 10:29 amThanks so much and good luck!
Christine says
April 21, 2019 at 8:21 amWowwww!! I love it. And the color too. Can you tell me what is the name of the color you used in this video please? I want to give it a try ans this is the color I m looking for.
Gina Luker says
April 22, 2019 at 12:06 pmThanks Christine! I used what I had left in an old bottle of acrylic paint I got at Hobby Lobby and no longer have it as I used it all. You can go to any craft store and find inexpensive acrylic paint and find one similar to this color, it was aqua. Good luck 🙂
Denise says
May 28, 2019 at 4:19 pmThat looks awesome !
Gina Luker says
May 30, 2019 at 9:14 amThanks Denise!!
Dennie says
August 1, 2019 at 1:50 pmHi Gina,
I read everything and watched your video. I would love to use this on a child’s bathroom wall….three children, all under 6 years of age share the same bathroom. Do you think it will hold up? Or, would I need to put some sort of sealer to my finished wall. I love the exact way yours looks and I think it will look really well for my Sponge Bob loving kids.
Dennie
Gina Luker says
August 5, 2019 at 10:22 amThat sounds like a fun bathroom idea Dennie, I am not sure how it would hold up with all of the moisture in a bathroom but a sealer would probably help!
heather williams says
May 17, 2020 at 8:53 pmCan I use grout instead of the plaster of paris
Gina Luker says
May 19, 2020 at 6:57 pmI do not know Heather, I haven’t tried it so couldn’t say. Let us know if you give it a try 🙂
Vernon says
May 21, 2020 at 8:03 amIs this mixture ok for decorating outdoor projects? Thank you
Gina Luker says
May 22, 2020 at 6:10 pmYes it is Vernon, just spray with a sealant or clear spray paint to protect it 🙂