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.

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?)

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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…)

DIY Chalkboard Paint Colors

Want to make your own blackboard or write-able surface? You don’t have to stick with just black! We show you how to make all sorts of chalkboard paint colors for cheap…

Chalkboard Paint Colors - 3 ways to buy or make them and how to save money

Options #1 & #2: Buy Colored Chalk Paint

Surprisingly, you can buy chalkboard paint in a variety of different colors. All you do is go to your local paint store or home improvement store and buy tint-able chalkboard paint. Next, have the person at the paint counter tint it to one of the 12 chalkboard paint color options.

Option #3: Make Your Own Chalkboard Paint Color

Tip: You can easily mix colored chalkboard paint yourself. It’s almost as easy as having the store tint the paint for you. Plus, this simple trick saves you a lot of money (and you’re not limited to only 12 colors).

Simple Steps to Make Chalk Paint:

First, buy a can of flax latex paint. Next, mix in some tile grout, baking soda, corn starch or plaster of paris. You can find the DIY chalkboard paint recipes here.

Yes, that’s all there is to it. On other words, you don’t have to purchase expensive ingredients or follow a complicated formula. In fact, with chalkboard paint recipes this simple, why buy store-made chalk paint, right?

Note: By the way, these ingredients all work equally as well. Consequently, many people basically use whichever ingredient the happen to have on hand. (This cuts the cost even more!)

Therefore, any paint color you can find at your paint store is available to you as a chalkboard color. Create a color to match the existing walls in your house, your kitchen appliances, furniture or something else. In fact, I’m thinking of even more ideas as I write this!

Note: Use paint without primer when making your own chalk paint because the primer tends to gunk up to “chalk” additives.

That’s all there is to it. Now, you may find yourself using chalk paint more often, right? I’ve actually found lots of reasons to paint cabinets and furniture with colored chalk paint. The matte finish has a sophisticated look, not to mention, flat paint is very forgiving if you are new to painting furniture.

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