Shabby Chic; Volume III

steve_2012

camelot1001 wrote: »

I use calcium carbonate when making chalk paint. I find it mixes really easily, ratio 2 paint to 1 cc. I buy it from Amaz0n.

camelot could you give me, if you can the precise formula for 300ml of paint.
from what you have wrote i am assuming it is as follows, could you correct me if i am wrong.
300ml emulsion
150ml chalk (i measure this with measuring spoons and regard one tbs as 15ml, although ive also read this could be 18ml with uk spoons)
water ??????

i also found this recipe online from what seems a fairly reputable but self publishing furniture painter.

2 x tbs chalk powder
1 x tbs water
1 x cup of latex paint ( one cup in american = 236ml)
this works out at 8:1 ratio.
she also does a larger mix:
8 x tbs chalk
4 x tbs water
1 x quart of paint (1136ml)
this comes out at 9.5:1 ratio
while im not contradicting your 2:1 ratio could you comment on this.
i just want too understand and do it as best i can.
i know it is all about testing and what works for the individual, really im looking for a start point but there is an extreme difference in yours and the ones ive found so far.
ive never really used AS paint ive only used a test pot and i find it really thick, could/would this be because the mix is so chalk heavy like yours.
generally i use 3 coats of POP coats at the accepted 3:1 mix and it comes out fairly wet/loose im guessing that with lets say a 4:1 chalk mix i could cut down a coat.
my issue with this i think would be the stroke finish, can i get a brush stroke free finish with such a thick mix.
maybe your desired finish is different too mine would this explain using such a strong mix.
please comment as i do want to cut down a coat if i can but i do want too maintain as smoother finish as i can get without the need too sand to much between coats which i dont need to do too much generally.
i value all comments here even if i dont always follow them, it allows you too understand more without actually having to do it.
as you can tell i am a bit OCD with this but that wont change, thats me.

chalkysoil

Steve- tried any mixes yet? Mine arrived but I've gone in to crochet mania on my first ever granny square (30" sq now ) so no painting for a while.

steve_2012

chalkysoil wrote: »

Steve- tried any mixes yet? Mine arrived but I've gone in to crochet mania on my first ever granny square (30" sq now ) so no painting for a while.

no not yet, it arrived just after i started on a welsh dresser.
ive had a lot of my own work the past couple of weeks so not had chance.

steve_2012

im looking for some suggestions from you guys here.
we are going to buy a large tall fridge freezer.
this will leave us with 2 empty spaces under the worktop in our kitchen, in 2 different places.
im thinking of shelving them with just melamine and then place some old wooden fruit etc crates on the shelves, just wondering if anyone has any other ideas.

camelot1001

Hi steve, sorry for the delay, don't always look in. I haven't had a problem with the paint, it is fairly thick but more than manageable. Any brush marks can be easily sanded away.
Not very good with links but this is where I found the recipe, it is number 4.
http://salvagedinspirations.com/best-homemade-chalk-paint-recipes/

steve_2012

thanks camelot, just had a quick look, it is one i had found while searching.
ive been a bit busy with work but will report as soon as i use it.

chalkysoil

http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=calcium%20carbonate%20chalk%20paint%20recipe&rs=ac&len=11&term_meta%5B%5D=calcium%7Cautocomplete%7C2&term_meta%5B%5D=carbonate%7Cautocomplete%7C2&term_meta%5B%5D=chalk%7Cautocomplete%7C2&term_meta%5B%5D=paint%7Cautocomplete%7C2&term_meta%5B%5D=recipe%7Cautocomplete%7C2




another gazillion recipes here!

emma_kate

steve_2012 wrote: »

im looking for some suggestions from you guys here.
we are going to buy a large tall fridge freezer.
this will leave us with 2 empty spaces under the worktop in our kitchen, in 2 different places.
im thinking of shelving them with just melamine and then place some old wooden fruit etc crates on the shelves, just wondering if anyone has any other ideas.

Some people make curtains suspended on net wires. Might be a bit girly for you...
You could use baskets instead of crates? They'll hide more stuff.

steve_2012

thanks kate, weve gone for baskets at the minute in one hole.
ive used an old sewing box thats on wheels , it has a draw, bottom tray and lift up lid.
its exactly the same as the one below, id chalk painted it last year but hadnt got round to selling or using it, we had a 2 foot wide 6" high wicker basket that weve stood on top and 2 smaller wickers on the bottom shelf and it looks good, just need to find another similar piece to hide/fill the other hole.
edit: ive added a pic of it in situ.

p00

That looks really nice Steve

Xxp00