Here’s What People In Washtenaw County And Wayne County, Michigan Want To Know About Chalkboard Paint For Their Home Interior
You can use this type of paint to create a fun little nook for your creative kids. It’s also a fun way to leave messages, write reminders, and more.
In this post, you can find out:
- What this type of paint actually is
- How to paint it onto your walls
- Painting tips for this particular project
- What to consider before using it
What Is Chalkboard Paint?
Chalkboard paint is usually made from talc, titanium dioxide, and silicon dioxide. Together, these ingredients form scratch-resistant paint that can turn almost any surface into a chalkboard. You can choose from multiple colors besides black. It shouldn’t have VOCs and should be nontoxic.
What it isn’t is chalk paint. You use chalk paint on furniture to cut down on the amount of preparation work you need to do. Using chalk paint on your walls won’t have the same effect.
How To Paint Chalkboard Paint On Walls
1. Prepare the area you’ll be painting
Move any objects that are near the area out of the way, cover the floor and baseboards, and clean the walls. Then, create a border using blue painter’s tape.
2. Paint your wall
Mix the paint thoroughly. Using a paint roller, apply the first coat of paint to the wall.
It’s best to use lighter strokes so the paint doesn’t drip or form lines. You’ll want to use even strokes so it turns out well.
After about 4 hours, apply the second coat of chalkboard paint to your wall. You can stop here or, if you want the best finish, wait another 4 hours and apply a third coat.
3. Dry and condition
The paint needs about 3 days to dry completely. Messing with it before then can keep it from setting correctly. It may look weird or not work as it should. Then whatever you write may not look right.
After drying, condition the surface by rubbing chalk all over it, then erasing it. This helps any future chalk use stick out better and be easier to clean.
Painting Tips
The smoother the wall, the better. Smoother walls are better for drawing and writing on after applying the paint. You may want to lightly sand the area to make sure it’s even.
Should you prime your wall before painting? It mainly depends on the type of paint and the finish. You’ll likely need a primer if you’re painting over glossy paint. If you need to prime, go high-quality to hide the original color better.
Go the extra mile and add magnetic paint. You can use a magnetic primer to create a magnetic surface on your wall! 3 coats are best for making it work, then you can hang pictures and more along with the chalk!
What To Consider Before Using Chalkboard Paint
Test out the idea
Instead of jumping right into painting your interior, you can test it out! Get a peel-and-stick wallpaper decal and put it where you want your chalkboard to go. Then you can see if you and your family use it enough to make painting worth it.
Potentially more maintenance
Chalk creates dust, meaning the inside of some areas of your home will get dusty quickly. This means more cleaning and possibly more sneezing.
It’s not supposed to be a focal point
You aren’t supposed to use chalkboard paint to cover large areas. It may end up having a look you don’t like. Smaller areas are usually better.
Wall condition
Smooth surfaces without blemishes are best for this type of paint. It’ll catch all the nooks and crannies in your wall, and the result may not be what you were picturing.
How To Maintain Chalkboard Paint
You can use a chalkboard cleaner or eraser, just as if you had an actual chalkboard. Microfiber cloths are another good cleaning option (with a bit of warm vinegar water for an extra clean surface).
Have Some Fun With Your Home!
This type of paint is a fantastic way to add a little fun flair to your home. You, your family, friends, and all the kids will love it!
Contact us about painting it for you or check out our interior painting page for more information.
