I’m always on the lookout for items that can be used for hobby purposes as I stroll up and down the ailes of Wal-mart, K-Mart, Target, etc., and I may have stumbled upon the cheapest possible weathering chalk.
Crayola Sidewalk Chalk, 20 different colors, $1.98 at Wal-mart in the section where office and school supplies are displayed. A boxful of this stuff should last even the largest club layout a lifetime. By using the edge of a kitchen paring knife or pocket knife to lightly scrape chalk off the edges, you can get a powdery texture that can be used for weathering.
You don’t get the grungy black and similar colors that you do in a weathering chalk assortment, but the more colors you mix the darker the result becomes.
I have used chalks and they didn’t work at all. I tried some of my wifes chalk she used for her class room. I believe it was a light gray. You couldn’t see it all. I would think if you don’t put on some dullcote on it, it will rub right off. I would say if you really want to do some weathering Bragdon or AIMS is the way to go.
I’ve seen those sidewalkm chalks, mostly pastels, but if you were to mix them they might look good. I’ve used some shades and locked them in with a light spraying of Matte-Finish. Go too heavy and it’ll wash out.
I spent $4.19 on a box of professional “Weber Costello” alpha color artist chalk that came with 10 hues of earth tone. I also purchased the grey tone box as well. These work well when combined with testors dullcoat.
Just how much is the crayola kiddie chalk? I can’t believe you would waste your time on that crap. I bet you spend more time and money trying to make it work. Personally I think its a waste of time. [2c]
I have been using a cheap set of chalks that I bought at WalMart for a 1.00…They work alright for me by mixing you can come up with just about any weathering shade you might need…as Jeff said I use sray mat medium much cheaper than dullcoat…cox 47
I kinda ditto that. But each his own I guess. I’d only use weathering powders which have more intense pigment and an adhesive base in them. Far supperior to kiddie chalk.
I’m going to buy the AIM weathering powders because like you said, they are better than professional chalk. Should I buy the $29.99 pack of 8 or do you only use one or two choice colors?
I enjoy using chalks and dullcote to weather. Im not sure of the brand but they are called earthtone chalks. 8.99 was the price at the LHS a couple of years ago.
I am going to Walmart this morning and buy some Crayola Crayons and try my luck at weathering some of my Overland models AC4400CW’s. I am very excited and sure the results will be priceless.
My vote is for pastels, it sticks better if put on with this method, (not mine) Mist lightly with wet water, apply powered pastels with a damp brush of various sizes, use a larger dry brush to blend. It sets hard when dry and can be handled with reasonable care.