Sunday, April 22, 2012

$1 Quart of chalk paint

It is all over the blogsphere, 
the latest trend, 
super easy to work with, 
no sanding or priming required.
...YES, I am talking about 
chalk paint


Let me explain a few things.

***I am not trying to bash ASCP here, if you want a quality paint and can/want/need to spend the money for it, then by any means go for it! I am sure she didn't just added some chalk to her paint and selling it like crazy!!!***


My version of chalk paint is latex paint with chalky material added to it. The chalky stuff is Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3...got to love chemistry class!)
This stuff can be found on Amazon or REI ;-)

Ahem, I found some chalk in my climbing bag (hence REI) ...I used to rock climb several times a week, you know, 
when I was single and had no children!
Here is a picture to prove my climbing addiction


Other homemade recipes use plaster of Paris or unsanded grout...have not tried either one of the above, but I imagine that out of the two, unsanded grout would be easier to stir in the paint. Try at your own risk!
That's my two cents!

Ok, so you need latex paint and CaCO3.

I got my paint at the Habitat Restore (Habitat for Humanity) in Nashville. The have some great stuff (and some not so great) at VERY affordable prices.
Last time I went I bought 3 quart cans for $1 each...3 different colors, pretty much unused!! 
(and freshly made...they had dates on the can from the store it was bought at!)

I used one quart for this project called whiskers (kind of white/gray) and 8 Tbsp of  CaCO3
(you should use about
1c paint to 2Tbsp CaCO3 ratio,
 but you could add more or less of the CaCO3 
based on how chalky you want your paint to be).

My guinea pig for this project I have used this paint on an old cabinet door that was in our garage. You know, I am test driving it, and it worked!
I have a big project in mind for this paint...that's after I finish and recover from our other big project...aka the Master bath!
Stay tune for that reveal!

Remember, the bright side on making your own chalk paint is that you can use up the millions few cans you have stashed in your garage. And that would be no extra cost for the paint itself. Also you can have chalk paint in ANY color you want!
And don't forget we just celebrated Earth Day on the 22nd, so keep those unused paint out of the landfill.


My cost break down
1 quart paint $1
Chalk FREE
(fyi, a 5 oz. bag of chalk is around $3, and you would not need that much for 1quart of paint)

Stay frugal,
Daniela

13 comments:

Jen Lossing, Artistic Abode Designs said...

Thanks for the tip! I have wanted to try chalk paint so bad, but refuse to pay the $$. I would love to see how your cabinets turn out!

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

I want to refinish the kitchen cabinets with this paint...hopefully I will get to it relatively soon!

Kelly said...

How exciting that you have your own blog now! Congratulations! I will add you to my blog list. This is the perfect type blog for you as I know how frugal you are. I could certainly learn a thing or two from you. You know your MIL is a huge chalk paint user. You're not going to beleive this, but I have never used it. I just use the good ole fashion latex paint. I've seen many others do that too and I don't have a problem with it. I'm no expert with painting, so maybe that's why it doesn't bother me. Ha! Looking forward to keeping up with you through blogland and the many frugal projects that you'll be sharing.

Sharon @ mrshinesclass said...

very good to know. I'd love to try chalk paint, but can't really afford ASCP.

Sharon @ mrs. hines class

Unknown said...

Hi Daniela,

Thanks for the information. I'm off to go investigate more about chalk paint.

I have friend named Daniela who is also 100% Italian, and my parents live near Nashville, small world.

I'm visiting from the Time Out linky party. I hope that you can stop by my blog as well. :)

Thanks for sharing,
Laura

Unknown said...

Excellent info...I am all for saving $$!! Why pay more when you don't have to, right? Thanks for sharing at The Rock N Share!

Anonymous said...

Daniela, I'm thinking of doing this for the dining table with some paint I already have (from the ReStore, of course!) but I'm nervous it won't look nice and I'll have another project I have to redo. Thoughts? Have you used it on any furniture yet?

Anonymous said...

Daniela, I'm thinking of doing this for the dining table with some paint I already have (from the ReStore, of course!) but I'm nervous it won't look nice and I'll have another project I have to redo. Thoughts? Have you used it on any furniture yet?

Miss Kitty said...

Hey, what a great idea for a source for the chalk...an outdoors store! I have some ceiling texture (that looks chalk-y) that I may trying adding to some paint and giving it a whirl. Thanks for sharing your tips with us. I saw your post at "boogie Board cottage".

Anonymous said...

Girl after my own heart=frugal to the bone! I'm far from a climber and I got Plaster of Paris and OOPS from Home Depot. ReStore hasn't had paint I would want when I've been there. Came from Chick & Crafty.
Janet

gina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lucy Gail said...

Thanks for the tutorial--that's great to know, especially for us Po' Folk!

I do have a question--with the Annie Sloan chalk paint, you have to use a wax afterward. Is this the same? Did you use a wax?

Unknown said...

I'd love to try your "recipe." A couple questions though - did you need to prime/sand & did you use a wax or some other type of finish. Thanks!