Tray Fail Part Deux

I shall taunt you a second time!  The chalkboard spray paint doesn't like me.  Ugh.  I really thought it would work this time.  If you are confused, you can read this post.

I started with a cheap Walmart cookie sheet.  I prepped the surface a little bit.  I cleaned it with Krud Kutter and lightly sanded it with a medium sanding block.  I probably should have worn a mask during that part since it did start to smell a bit.  Tiny metal particles are probably not good for the lungs.  Oh, well... at least I was outside. 



I gave it several thin coats of Krylon chalkboard spray paint (probably did ten coats, with 15 minutes between each coat), and then waited 24 hours.



It looked good.

When I started conditioning the surface with the chalk, it was dragging a bit.  The paint was rubbing off on the chalk stick.  Not good.  I tried erasing a little, and my towel turned black as well.  That's not supposed to happen. 



I don't know what the deal is.  Maybe it's not completely dry yet?  That didn't happen with the Christmas tray.  It is raining today... maybe the humidity is too high? 


I also read on the paint can that your chalk needs to be calcium carbonate, and not clay, or it can scratch the paint.  I have Crayola chalk.  It doesn't say on the box what it's made out of, so I Googled it.  Turns out my chalk may be part of the problem. 

This is the chalk I have, and Crayola says it's not designed for use on a chalkboard (why doesn't it say that ON the box?).  Crayola suggests their dustless chalk for chalkboards.  So... I think I'm going to leave my little tray alone and head to the teacher supply store for some dustless chalk.

Will my tray(s) end up complete failures?  To be continued...

Update: Well, I just tried erasing on the Christmas tray, and my towel turned black, too, like the paint is rubbing off.  I have pretty much zero faith left in Krylon.  This is the second time their spray paint has failed me.  I never blogged about it, but I spray painted a lamp base a while back - with "bright idea" yellow in gloss - and it turned out horrible.  It took 2 entire cans to cover, and the finish is all sandy/gritty.  I will never buy Krylon spray paint again.  Frustration...