We all know that chalkboard paint is everywhere right now. There’s no denying it. It’s on walls, doors, tables, picture
frames, dressers, refrigerators, washing machines, bottles, jars, vases, serving trays, motorcycle helmets, and I kid you not,
I’ve even seen it on cars. CARS…in the plural!
Clearly, this is a trend. Have you all learned how I feel about trends yet?
Bonus points if you said they’re just not my thing! Cuz they’re not. And I have to admit that the whole chalkboard mania is one of my least favorites. Just think back to junior high…I’ll give you a second…Do you remember all that dust?! Who honestly thinks painting one of the walls/doors of their house with that stuff isn’t a giant mess waiting to happen? Just imagining it makes me squirm. Sure the kid’s love it, but they’re also equally impressed with the sidewalk…outside…where I don’t have to clean it up!
Anyway I digress. Chalkboard = trendy = not my thing. That’s what you need to know.
I also mentioned recently that my Aunt is my complete opposite. I love her, but it’s true. Knowing that,
any guesses what the first project she wanted me to make for my little cousin’s sweet sixteen party was?
Ding, ding, ding…chalkboard glasses… in rainbow colors!
I can almost guarantee that if you’ve been on Pinterest any time in the past year,
you’ve seen this pin, or at least one very similar. And you’ve probably also seen this one…
Wow, Martha Stewart (knower of everything crafty) is going to tell you how to make
chalkboard paint in any color imaginable! Let’s just combine the two pins. This’ll be so simple!
Wait what?! How can that be?
Flat latex paint + non-sanded grout = chalkboard paint. I know it does.
It’s all over Pinterest, and this recipe came straight from Martha, it can’t be wrong!
Blame it on user error, humidity, the brand of paint, whatever you’ve got, but I tried three different batches,
and they all came out looking crumbly and gross just like these pink ones. Total definition of an Epic Fail right there!
Now this is the point where a sane normal person would realize “Hey, they make chalkboard paint in different colors. Let’s go buy some of that!” But of course, I am not one of those normal people. My Aunt had 5 quarts of paint custom tinted to match the tablecloths for the party, and I’ll be darned if I’m going to make her spend extra money because a little paint is getting the better of me!
So after peeling all the bad paint off the sixteen or so absolutely terrible glasses,
I began the trial and error experiments that eventually led me to this…
* drum roll please*
My ridiculously over complicated ten step tutorial about how to make
homemade chalkboard paint stick to glasses, even though you know you really
should just save yourself the trouble and buy the good stuff anyway!
(Did anyone else read that in Kermit the frog’s voice? No, never mind then.)
Step one: Cover the glass with saran wrap and tape leaving only the area where you want the chalkboard paint exposed. Wipe the glass down with rubbing alcohol to clean off any dirt and oil.
Step two: Prime the heck out of those glasses!
I used Kilz, but any spray on primer should work.
Step three: While the primer is drying, assemble your supplies.
flat latex paint – non-sanded grout – a tablespoon – a measuring cup – two small bowls – a stir stick
Step four: Measure out 1/2 cup of paint into one of your bowls.
In the other bowl mix 1 1/2 tablespoons of grout with 1/12 tablespoons of water.
You want the grout to be completely mixed into the water. Thinner than pancake mix and more like syrup.
Step five: Add the grout/water mix to the paint and stir well.
I painted eight glasses with each color, but this should be enough paint to make at least a dozen.
Step six: Dip your primed glasses into the paint mix
Use your stir stick to help make sure everything is good and covered.
Step seven : Allow as much of the excess paint to dip off as possible.
If any small bubbles appear, pop them by blowing on them gently.
Step eight: Set your glasses on a piece of waxed paper to dry.
Or if you’re really picky you can rig up a special drying box like I did. I used a hole punch to make slots in a box, and then used the holes to support tiny dowel rods that would suspend my glasses.
I know this might seen a bit excessive, but I already had the dowel rods for the photo booth props I was making.
Step nine: Gently peel off the tape.
Step ten: Realize that this is far more effort than you want/need to spend on a project like this, and go buy yourself some ready-made chalkboard paint. I even found a few good options for you. Rustoleum, Martha Stewart, and FolkArt.
What do you think? Is chalkboard paint overrated or the most awesome trend out there?
Do you have a favorite brand of paint, or do you make your own?
And if you just so happen to have a chalkboard wall/door/car at your house
I’d love to know if I’m wrong about the mess!
I like the thought of it, we had a chalk wall in our holiday chalet in November and we used it to it's full potential….but it's dusty and doesn't look very cute after a few uses. Anna from my life and kids says it best: http://mylifeandkids.com/chalkboard-wall-might-not-be-for-you-if/
Ha! I remember reading that awhile back. I do think the concept is cute, but the reality of it just doesn't live up to the idea. Especially when you have ugly handwriting like I do! ;D
I love how those glasses turned out, but I totally agree with you. I so couldn't do chalkboard stuff in my house! I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience with mixing your own paint!
I'm just glad I was able to figure it out in the end! Most of the problem was probably because I was painting on glass. You know it would have worked the first time if I was trying to paint my kitchen! (yuck) 😀
Well I admire the work you put in to get the perfect results,I am planning to use it on mason jars (as seen on pinterest) to label the spices.
Good Luck! Hopefully yours come out much better than mine on the first try!
Very cute! I would have given up! 🙂
Thanks Jessica, I definitely wanted to a few times! But since it was for family I kept at it. Luckily I started testing it out back in February, so I had plenty of time to avoid them while I tried to figure it all out! 😀
So cute. love these!!
Thanks Lynda!
wow! these turned out great! I, however, am not one for over the top projects if it fails the first time, go out and buy the stuff, lol. Props to you for sticking with it and not giving up! They turned out awesome! Pinning this!
I found your blog from the Someday Crafts linky party
Thanks Aleks! You're not kidding. I definitely would have given up if it was one of my own projects!
Love the end result – the colors are so fun! Nothing like this ever goes as planned, but the result was well worth it! Thanks for linking up to Give Me the Goods Monday! Love having you party with us!! Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
Thanks Jenna! The kids all seemed to like them, so I guess that's what counts. Half of them probably sent them through the dishwasher and ruined them, but I try not to think about that. ;D
Love this post. I did one chalkboard project and quickly decided it wasn't for me.
Good to know I'm not the only one! I think it's a cute idea as long as it's in someone else's house. ;D
Way to stick with it! It looks like your hard work was rewarded, they look great!
Thanks Bethany! I was just glad there were a few left over so I could keep one for myself.
I'm so impressed that you stuck with it because these turned out AMAZING! I love the bright colors – I bet your aunt loves them too. 🙂
We would love for you to link this up with us at Living Well Spending Less! You can link up any of your thrifty projects each Thursday – we would love to have you join us! http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/category/thrifty-thursday/