Long a favorite way for teachers to explain and instruct, chalkboards have gained popularity in recent years as a trendy and eclectic addition to restaurants and coffee houses, childrens' rooms and even home kitchens.
From making grocery lists and displaying the family schedule, to providing a place for little ones to explore their own creativity, a home blackboard can be a fun and functional addition.
Chalkboard Paint and Magnetic Paint
Because large free-standing or hanging chalkboards can be heavy and expensive, several paint manufacturers have developed their own brands of chalkboard paint which can be used on metal, wood, masonry, drywall, plaster, glass, concrete, hardboard and other surfaces.
Covering a plain wall with several coats of this specialty paint creates a surface that is erasable, washable and durable enough to withstand day after day of use. Add a coat or two of commercially available magnetic paint, and it also becomes a place to get papers off the fridge.
Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint
One big advantage to creating, rather than purchasing, a chalkboard is the flexibility to choose its size, shape and even color. Green or black chalkboard paint is readily available at home improvement stores, but custom tinting is available at paint stores.
Alternatively, colored chalkboard paint can be made by adding 2 tablespoons of unsanded tile grout per cup of flat finish latex paint in any shade. This recipe works best when made in quantities of one to two cups and used in smaller areas since the paint tends to dry and become brittle quickly.
How to Create a Chalkboard
- Prepare the wall by ensuring that it is clean, smooth and free of holes. Textured walls may need to be sanded for best results
- Using masking tape, mark off the area where the chalkboard will be painted.
- If the chalkboard is to be magnetic, roll or paint on two to three thick coats of magnetic paint, allowing paint to dry between coats. Additional coats increase the magnetism of the surface.
- When surface is dry, roll on chalkboard paint, allowing for drying time between coats
- Allow paint to dry for at least three days
- If desired, add molding for a border or to create a chalk tray
- Once paint is cured, prepare it for chalk by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk over the entire surface and erasing with a felt cloth, then wiping with a damp sponge.
If using homemade chalkboard paint, sand surface between coats with 400 grit or higher sandpaper and wipe off dust to ensure a smooth finish. Wipe chalkboard clean periodically with a damp cloth or sponge.
Alex Strauss - Journalist Alex Strauss has written extensively for radio, television, magazines and the web for more than 20 years. During her career in ...
