Friday, September 7, 2018

DIY Chalkboard Wall {Tutorial}

Yesterday I shared our updated playroom. Not quite sure what the name for this room should be. Tween Room, Hangout Room, Bonus Room?  Anyway, I knew that I wanted to do a chalkboard wall for the kids to be able to draw on and convinced the Mr. to help me with the project.  Thought I would share our step-by-step directions for anyone else who might be thinking about a similar project!


Step 1: 
With a lot of patients and the help of a level we taped off the size we wanted the chalkboard to be. Ours is about 65x45.


Step 2: 
I read a lot about different types of chalkboard paints and decided that pretty much any of them would work just fine for what I was doing.  I ended up going with the Rustoleum brand because I've used a lot of their products in the past, but I think they all work about the same. 





As I started painting it looked more navy blue than black, but once it dried it was black. I did about 3 coats just to make sure it was good and covered! 


Step 3: 
Let it dry! It says to wait at least 3 days for the chalkboard finish to be done. That wasn't a problem for us. We got busy and had to wait about 2 weeks!


Step 4: 
I knew I wanted the chalkboard to be framed so that it looked like it was hanging on the wall and the Mr. helped with this step. He got 1x3 trim boards and cut them to fit around the chalkboard.  We painted them first using the same color as our interior doors (Backdrop by Sherwin Williams) and then hung them up.  



Step 5: 
Before using the chalkboard it had to be conditioned.  Following the directions on the paint can we coated the entire surface with chalk. Basically hold a piece of chalk lengthwise and rub it all over the chalkboard paint.  I have no idea what difference it makes if you do this step or not, but it said to do it so that is what we did.  I got the girls to help me! 


Step 6: 
After coating the entire thing with chalk, you erase it all entirely and then your surface is ready to draw on.  As I was erasing they were both like, "that is so satisfying" which just cracked me up.  Not sure if your kids use that word or not, but it's the new lingo amongst the youngins these days and I don't know why but it cracks me up. 



Step 7: 
Draw, color and have fun!  They are loving the chalkboard and it makes me so glad that I decided to do this project in the room.  Directions on the paint say it can be wiped clean with a wet cloth, but then it should be conditioned and erased (steps 5 and 6) before using it again. 



We hope everyone has an amazing weekend!!!

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