With all the varieties available, from chalkboard spray paint, colored chalkboard paint and more, the project ideas are almost limitless. So, how does chalkboard paint work? The paint creates a hard, scratch-resistant surface, says Stephanie Radek, of Rust-O-Leum. Their specialty chalkboard paint in is sold in black, green, and a tint base that can be tinted to 12 different colors. Chalkboard paint can be applied like regular paint, but Radek says it should not be applied directly to plastic, bare wood, or metal without priming the surface first. Radek says that once the paint is cured, the surface should be prepared for chalk by rubbing the side of chalk over entire surface and erasing. This conditioning step will leave a coat of chalk dust that will provide the best erasability. To paint over the chalkboard paint, Radek recommends using 180-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface, then washing the area with soap and water to clean the surface. Once the surface is dry, apply a latex primer. After one hour, wall paint can be applied over the surface.
Chalkboard Paint Possibilities
Labels are an excellent organization tool, and they can be made even better when created from chalkboard paint. As your storage needs change, you can simply erase what is written and scrawl the new label. Consider taping off squares on drawers and painting the squares with chalkboard paint. Or, if the drawers have recessed panels, tape off the panel and fill it in with chalkboard paint.
Game Time
Turn old wood TV trays into play-ready surfaces. Paint the top of a TV tray with chalkboard paint and use for games of tic-tac-toe or hangman. Plus, a chalkboard TV tray can be a fun way to practice spelling words or math problems.
Schedule Me In
Apply chalkboard paint to a cabinet front for an in-kitchen memo board. Plus, You can make chalkboards magnetic! Simply apply a few coats of magnetic paint to the surface before applying the chalkboard paint.
Decorating with Chalkboard Paint
Use chalkboard paint to jazz up walls. Try one of these ideas:
How to Make Chalkboard Paint
While chalkboard paint comes in many colors, if you want a custom hue, you can make your own chalkboard paint. Combine 1 cup latex paint in your chosen shade with 2 tablespoons of unsanded tile grout. Mix with a paint stirrer. Gently sand the dry laryers of paint between coats with 150-grit sandpaper during application. To achieve the best color, apply several coats.
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