Thursday, October 6, 2011

The low down on chalk paint...


Well I managed to finally shut one voice up in my head... I now know what kind of paint I am using if I do end up painting my cupboards and anything else that isn't nailed down. 


While doing some research, I came across a wonderful blog that has a recipe to make your own "chalk paint".  Don't worry I will share the link, hold tight.  As you well know that stuff is like liquid gold.  I can't tell you how elated I was to find out I can make my own and now so can you. 

I really wanted to try this stuff, no sanding, no priming... how much better can it get. Unfortunately the cheap side of my brain will not allow me to spend that kind of money on paint.  I don't care what it does.  Have you priced that stuff in Canada?   


Now for the other inquiring minds out there... here's the goods on the notorious "chalk paint".  This is just one ingredient that Sherry shares... there are two more.  I think this is the one I am going to choose. 


What is Calcium Carbonate?
Calcium carbonate, or CaCO3, comprises more than 4% of the earth’s crust and is found throughout the world. Its most common natural forms are chalk, limestone, and marble, produced by the sedimentation of the shells of small fossilized snails, shellfish, and coral over millions of years. Although all three forms are identical in chemical terms, they differ in many other respects, including purity, whiteness, thickness and homogeneity. Calcium carbonate is one of the most useful and versatile materials known to man.



Many of us encounter calcium carbonate for the first time in the school classroom, where we use blackboard chalk.


Paper, Plastics, Paints, and Coatings: Calcium carbonate is the most widely used mineral in the paper, plastics, paints and coatings industries both as a filler – and due to its special white color - as a coating pigment. In the paper industry it is valued worldwide for its high brightness and light scattering characteristics, and is used as an inexpensive filler to make bright opaque paper. Filler is used at the wet-end of paper making machines, and calcium carbonate filler allows for the paper to be bright and smooth. As an extender, calcium carbonate can represent as much as 30% by weight in paints. Calcium carbonate also is used widely as a filler in adhesives, and sealants. 

Now, run on over to this very kind lady that shared her recipe and her knowledge with us and be sure to thank her.  I am sure she is no stranger to many of you.  Her blog is to die for.  This woman has some serious talent happening.  Believe me you won't be disappointed.

Good luck and please if you try or have tried this would you be so kind to share your findings with the rest of us. 

Hugs,

4 comments:

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

I went to her site hence why I was up til about 1 am on the web! How addicting is she?! I just called around and finally found some calcium carbonate! When I drop off the bitty one at school I am off to get it! I was so excited when you sent me that link! I would of run out last night if I could of found it. I even thought of grinding off some of my cast, then my hubby told me it was not longer made with plaster of paris! Fun sucker.... I will be doing a dresser this afternoon. To hell with house cleaning! I'll let you know how it turns out! I'm so excited! Thank you again for the link!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

cool! I hopped over there, It's late, I'll have to look around more later.
have a great weekend!
gail

DeeDee said...

I would love me some chalk paints...thanks for the blog link... hope all is well.. Hug on miss mya for me.. :D

Deb said...

Hi Deb, Deb here! Just found your site and am now following you. So good to find another Canadian prim lover! I had just found Korrie's site as well and she sent me an email after I commented on her amazing chalk paint recipes. She said that if I was going to use the unsanded grout, to mix the grout into a paste first before adding it to the paint. Hope that helps you as well if you are going to try that recipe. I have a dining table & chairs screaming out to be painted with chalk paint now, just have to decide what colour! Looking forward to following you, Deb