What Surfaces Can You Use Chalkboard Paint On?

Wondering if you can use chalkboard paint on wood, metal, glass, plastic or ceramic surfaces? We have all the answers you need, plus 5 helpful tips on getting the best results. Ready to transform your furnishings or home decor? Let’s get started!

What Surfaces Can You Use Chalkboard Paint On? Wood? Metal? Glass? Plastic? Ceramic? Here are 5 Tips on How to Get the Best Results

Chalkboard paint (and chalk paint) has become a hot, trendy finish for furniture, crafts and other home renovation projects. Not to mention, you can turn an entire wall, door or tabletop into a giant chalkboard in under an hour.

Use Chalkboard Spray Paint to Make Painting Projects Faster and Easier

Note: Not only can you now get chalkboard paint in virtually any color, you can make it yourself from a few inexpensive ingredients. You can even buy chalkboard spray paint to make textured or angled items much faster and easier to cover.

So, What Can You Use Chalkboard Paint On?

First of all, you can apply chalkboard paint on many different surfaces. For example, you can use it on wood, metal, glass, ceramic and also plastic items.

Note: More importantly, however, you want to prep the surface before you apply chalk paint. In other words, make sure that it’s clean and dry before painting so you get better adhesion and a more professional finished look.

Pro Tips to Get the Best Chalkboard Paint Results

1. Using Chalkboard Paint on Wood:

Chalkboard Paint and Primer in One Product

Some porous woods (ie. cedar or pine) may require primer before paint application. On the other hand, hardwoods like maple or oak don’t need the extra prep work. And if you’re like me and don’t always know which wood is which, play it safe and use a chalkboard paint and primer in one.

2. Painting on Metal:

You can also use chalkboard paint on metal patio furniture, picture frames, refrigerator doors, etc.. As we talked about above, you want to clean the surface thoroughly and also remove any rust or chipped paint. Use some sandpaper if needed to achieve a smooth paintable surface.

3. How to Paint Ceramic Items with Chalk Paint:

Chalkboard paint works fine on ceramic surfaces as well. However, just like porous wood, you want to apply a primer first (and clean it of course). You can use the chalkboard paint and primer or use a primer separately if you have a certain color or brand in mind that you want to use.

4. Using Chalkboard Paint on Glass:

How to Apply Chalkboard Paint on Glass Surfaces and Get the Best Results

Some people think that chalk paint won’t work on glass because it won’t stick – but all you need is, yes you guessed it, primer. This extra step really makes a difference and is worth the additional cost because the paint won’t chip, scratch or flake off as easily.

Also see: 5 Easy Tips for Applying Chalkboard Paint on Glass

To speed up the job, use spray-on primer. You can get it in white or colored, and many times the color doesn’t matter. That said, some people use a darker tone primer to mask the previous color better than white. I typically use Rustoleum or Zinsser primer and have gotten great coverage from both brands.

5. Will Chalkboard Paint Really Stick to Plastic?

Primer once again comes to the rescue here. Who knew primer was the magical solution to everyone’s problems, right? That said, flexible plastic items that bend don’t do so well with any paint, as there’s more chance of cracking or flaking.

How to Defrost a Mini Fridge in 60 Minutes

Whether you have a chalkboard fridge or not – if you have a mini refrigerator, you will most likely need to defrost it at some point. Below are the steps on how to defrost your fridge quickly, and it’s surprisingly simple.

How to Defrost a Mini Fridge Fast:

How to Defrost a Mini Fridge or Compact Refrgerator in 60 Minutes or Less

1. Unplug your fridge.

2. Take all items out of your refrigerator and/or freezer and put them in a cooler with a lid. If you don’t have a cooler (or one big enough), you could unload everything into a bathtub.

3. Open the door/doors to your mini fridge and leave them open for 60 minutes. If you have a lot of frost buildup in the freezer, you may want to place a towel on the floor in front of the open door just in case the defrosting ice comes tumbling out.

4. Come back to your fridge in 60 minutes, and the ice should have started melting away. Then, you can gently (I said gently!) pull the ice away.

Note: Don’t try to stick a screwdriver in and wedge the ice out. This can wreck the sides of the appliance and then you’ll be angry! I sometimes use a rubber/silicone/plastic spatula if the ice needs a little “coaxing”.

5. If the ice is being difficult, use a warm wet washcloth to gently loosen up the ice. Ice is usually not difficult, especially if you are defrosting your mini fridge every 3-6 months.

6. Lastly, wipe down the sides and back with a high-absorbing dry cloth. In other words, remove as much moisture as you can. This will help prevent ice build up in mini fridge from starting right away.

Then, plug the refrigerator back in and reload it with all your food and drinks.

Some Tips for Easier/Faster Defrosting:

1. Defrost Your Fridge on a Warm Day:

Choose a warm and/or sunny day and move your fridge in the sun. A simple temperature change can work wonders, and your little appliance can defrost in as little as 30 minutes.

2. How to Keep Food/Drinks Cool While Defrosting:

Mini Fridge Freeer with 2 Separate Compartments

Does your compact appliance have 2 compartments (a refrigerator and separate freezer section)? Then, you can leave your food in the fridge and simply leave the door open to the freezer while defrosting.

If you have enough space, move the freezer items into the fridge. This maintain the chill while the fridge defrosts itself.

Alternatively, you can place all food and drink into an enclosed plastic cooler for an hour.

3. Defrost More Frequently to Make the Task Easier:

The more often you defrost the mini fridge, the less time it takes. Plus, less ice build-up makes removal easier too.

Defrosting a Mini Fridge is Easier than You Think.

Defrosting a Mini Fridge - Who Knew it Was So Easy?

Don’t be afraid of manual defrost appliances, because removing the ice is quick and easy once you get the hang of it.

When you do regularly-scheduled maintenance and have an easy system in place – it’s a snap. You can watch your favorite TV show while you’re doing it, make dinner – or even go to the grocery store to buy more food.

Will this Defrost Method Work on a Full-Size Refrigerator?

With a larger manual defrost refrigerator, you can apply this same strategy, but the process will take longer. I suggest two things:

  1. Don’t decide to start when you have a ton of frozen food. In other words, plan a time when your fridge isn’t full.
  2. Get a bag of ice for your cooler or bathtub before your begin your project. Therefore, you can give your appliance as much time as it needs to melt the frost.

More Tips on Keeping Food & Drinks Cold:

6 Ways to Clean Chalkboard Paint

If you paint your fridge, wall or other surface with chalkboard paint, you probably want to know how to keep it looking clean and new. My favorite method is below in this video. I have also listed several other ideas below.

1. How to Clean Chalkboard Paint with a Chalkboard Cleaner:

Blackboard and Chalk: How to Clean Chalkboard Paint

First of all, there are cleaning products for blackboards. However, you don’t need to buy them. Instead, you can use a few simple techniques that others have learned over the years.

2. Clean Off Chalk with a Chalkboard Eraser:

Second, you can use a chalkboard eraser. Just make sure that it does not contain dust when you use it.

Simply clean your eraser after every use, either by rubbing them with a cloth or vacuuming them. By the way, you can save money on erasers by purchasing them in multi-packs. Plus, when you have more than one eraser, you don’t have to clean them as frequently. =)

3. Remove Chalk with a Microfiber Cloth:

How to Clean a Chalkboard with Microfiber Cloths

Third, use a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth. Microfiber material picks up dust and lint really well.

Just make sure to wash microfiber separately than other materials, and don’t put them in the dryer. (They’ll keep their dust-attracting charge longer).

Note: If you clean your board frequently, it’s best to use a dry cleaner. Using water over and over can damage the surface and over time lighten your board.

4. Add a Little Vinegar to Get a Chalkboard Really Clean:

Fourth, you can use a damp rag. However, instead of using plain water, add a small amount of vinegar to the water solution. The vinegar reacts with the calcium in the chalk and therefore leaves a cleaner surface. (Did you vinegar makes an effective natural weed killer too?)

cameron

5. Squeegee Your Chalkboard to Clean It:

Fifth, use a squeegee. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or buy anything fancy, (a $10 squeegee will work fine).

First, remove the majority of dust from your chalkboard first. Then, use a squeegee with water. (This technique will work best on larger boards that have smoother surfaces.)

6. Add Lemon Oil to Chalkboard for Extra Shine:

How to Use Lemon Oil to Make Your Chalkboard Clean and Shiny

Sixth, add a few drops of lemon oil to make your chalkboard paint shine. If you want your board to look especially nice – either for an event or guests – add some lemon oil to a cloth and rub over the blackboard surface to create a more finished look.

As you can see, cleaning chalkboard paint, or a painted surface is not that difficult (and it can keep it looking fresh and crisp with minimal effort).

That said, keep in mind that chalkboard-painted walls or surfaces are meant to have that shabby-chic appeal, while looking weathered and worn. Therefore, don’t ever feel like you have to clean your chalkboard fridge at all (well maybe on the inside…)

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