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Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint!
Sam Lutz • Jun 02, 2015
Chalkboard paint can turn any surface into a writing surface, and can be used virtually anywhere and on anything. Whether you’re hoping to make erasable stemware labels or an editable grocery list for your kitchen wall, chalkboard paint can do it all.
Perhaps the one downside to chalkboard paint is its limited color availability. Green and black are the typical colors for chalkboard paint, and while some paint companies make chalkboard paint in all colors of the rainbow, there’s no option to customize it as you can with wall paint. …That is, until now. This project allows you to turn any normal latex paint into chalkboard paint. Once you have the ability to make your own chalkboard paint, you can make it in any color or to match any décor.
Materials:
- Flat-finish latex paint
- Un-sanded grout
- Paint mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
Process:
- Pour 1 cup of latex paint into a paint container.
- Add 2 tablespoons of un-sanded grout.
- Mix with a paint stirrer or paint mixer.
Simple, isn’t it? When it comes time to apply the paint to a surface, prime the area like you would for any paint project. Apply the chalkboard paint in small sections with even applications of paint. Wait for the paint to dry, then sand it to a smooth finish with 150 grit sandpaper.
Before you draw on the chalkboard paint for the first time, shade over the entire surface with the side of a piece of chalk, then erase it with a damp cloth. This process is known as conditioning. Conditioning the chalkboard paint will ensure that the future applications of chalk will wipe away easily.
Practical Applications
In addition to being good old-fashioned fun, customizable chalkboard paint has practical applications as well. Here’s an example: You’ve just painted one section of your child’s bedroom in a vibrant sky blue paint with a can of acrylic latex that you picked up at the store. Now you’d like to paint your child’s dresser with a shade of matching chalkboard paint, which will allow you to label the drawers with chalk.
You love how cute and crafty this idea is—the only downside? You can’t find matching sky blue chalkboard paint. Luckily, you can turn your leftover acrylic latex into chalkboard paint just by mixing it with unsanded grout. The resulting color will match perfectly and as a bonus, you’ll be able to use up what’s leftover from painting the walls.
Resources
There are a multitude of websites that have documented this process, if you’re hoping to do some additional research. Here are a few:
And here’s a short and helpful video online:
We also recommend taking a look at some of our old blog posts about chalkboard paint, if you’re looking for some inspiration for your upcoming project.
The practical uses for chalkboard paint are endless as they are exciting—and now with the ability to customize the color of your chalkboard paint, its uses are even more varied. To make your own custom-color chalkboard paint, stop in at Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture for the supplies. We’re looking forward to seeing you!
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