Cameron Clark at Chalkboard Fridge

How to Make Chalkboard Paint – (4 Different Ways!)

DIY Chalkboard Paint Recipe - 4 Easy Ways

Besides being able to make your own chalkboard, you can also make your own chalkboard paint with which to paint it! But why would you want to do this?

Well, for one thing, homemade can often cost less than store-bought chalkboard paint. Plus, it’s a simple project, using materials you can get at your local hardware store. (You might even have them already in your house!).

For people who just need a small batch of paint for a craft project, DIY chalk paint can also provide an easy solution.

Easy Chalkboard Paint Recipe:

Homemade DIY chalkboard paint is typically made with flat latex paint and un-sanded tile grout. That’s it. It’s that simple. You can find specific measurements (and other helpful tips) in the video below.

You’ll need a container in which to mix your paint (preferably one with a lid if you want to save any extra paint) and a stir stick. A foam brush or foam roller is suggested for applying the paint, since you can easily avoid brush marks this way.

Note: If you want to save money and like disposable foam brushes, you can get a 22-piece foam brush and roller set for under $15. This is a great deal for crafters or people who do small painting projects.

Click here for un-sanded tile grout

But what if you don’t want to use un-sanded tile grout? Some people don’t. Maybe you’d prefer to use baking soda or cornstarch instead.

Do you already have these common cooking items in your kitchen? Then you can save yourself the time and money of going to the store to buy the grout. It’s really just personal preference.

In any case, using this DIY method can be a lot cheaper than buying pre-made chalk paint at the store. Furthermore, if you have an unused paint can laying around, and it’s a color you like, you can have yourself some free paint!

3 More Ways to Make Chalkboard Paint:

If you want to save even more money, you can also make chalkboard paint with cheap ingredients that you may also have laying around the house. These are quick and easy recipes that basically involve stirring.

Note: Use latex paint for these DIY chalkboard paint recipes. However, don’t use the kind that has primer mixed in with it because it will gunk-up with mixture.

With Baking Soda:

1/2 cup baking soda
1 cup paint
3 tbsp water

With Corn Starch

3 tbsp corn starch
3/4 cup paint
1/4 cup water

With Plaster of Paris

1/4 cup plaster of paris
3/4 cup paint
1/4 cup water

Note: You will not notice a difference as you apply the paint. However, after the paint dries, you will see and feel the chalk-like texture.

How to Paint a Refrigerator Stainless Steel

Kitchen Appliances Painted with Stainless Steel Paint

To most people, stainless steel appliances have the look of sophistication, quality and elegance. However, they come with a significantly higher price tag – especially refrigerators.

So, what if you could transform your white or black fridge into a modern and industrial-looking stainless steel appliance… simply by using paint? Well, you can!

I was actually surprised by how easy the project is, and how realistic the final result turns out. That said, you need to have patience. There are a few tricks of the trade that I recommend you follow below.

“Can You Paint Stainless Steel?”

Now hold on, I’m not talking about silver paint that’s cheap-looking and leaves your fridge looking worse than when you started. I’m talking about paint that actually has stainless steel in it. It is super durable, so it doesn’t chip or even show fingerprints. Some people even call it “liquid stainless steel”.

It’s pretty darn cool, if you ask me. Plus, it’s an easy way to update the look of your kitchen without spending thousands of dollars.

In fact, you can even get a high-quality, easy-to-use kit that includes all of the special paint and brushes you need, including a clear top coat finish to give your fridge a new, finished look that doesn’t show fingerprints or chip. (Less than $100!)

Stainless steel paint does cost more that chalkboard paint, or other types for that matter. If you are looking for a super cheap way to renovate your fridge, this is not your best option.

That said, if you don’t want to spend over $1,000 on a new appliance, this is a nice option to have.

Note: Wondering if you can paint your dishwasher and oven to match? Wonder no longer – you can!

What else can you do?

Cabinet Handles
Sink Fixtures
Furniture Trim
Small Countertop Appliances like Toasters

Think of all the money you’ll save. Then, check out this short video below to see a real-life demo of how it’s done:

Transform Your Fridge for $80

By the way, if you like saving money by faux-finishing appliances, you may interested in countertop refinishing ideas. For example, you can get faux stone re-finishing kits for countertops or spray paint a counter or wall to look like concrete.

Chalkboard Calendar – 3 DIY Ideas

A chalkboard is a great surface for a calendar because you can write, erase and re-write as your schedule changes. Plus, at the end of the month, you can clear the entire board and use it again – month after month.

Some families use a chalkboard calendar in the kitchen, where everyone can see it, add to it and make changes. These calendars also work well in offices where a group of people all use the same calendar.

But really, anyone can use chalkboard calendars, especially because (when done right) they can actually make your wall look really cool – not to mention functional.

They key is to turn it into a DIY project, and it doesn’t have to be hard or time consuming. Whether you paint the wall yourself using painter’s tape as a template or get a peel-and-stick decal kit or get a giant chalkboard calendar wall sticker – this do-it-yourself project can easily be done by anyone.

And yes, I mean anyone.

Chalkboard Vinyl Calendar Wall Decals

These kits come with easy-to-follow instructions. They basically involve sticking the vinyl decals to the wall (or door, mirror, refrigerator, etc.. Yes, it’s that easy. Not only that, but the decals can be applied to both smooth and textured surfaces and also can be removed without damaging the wall itself.

These calendars are not huge, so don’t assume that you’ll have lots of writing space. They typically run approximately 2 feet tall x 2 feet wide and cost about $30-40. Not bad for taking all of the work out of a DIY chalkboard project.

But who says your wall calendar needs to be an entire month?

Sometimes that’s just too much information or you’d prefer less days with more writing space. Or you simply like the look of 7 squares. I mean 8.

This wall sticker package comes as a roll and may appear that it is a single sheet that you will then have to cut into pieces. However, it’s easier than you think. The package actually includes 8 “squares”, and the dimensions of each separate decal are approximately 7-1/4″ wide x 8-1/4″ tall. The “This Week” headline is also included.

Another option is to buy 4 of these weekly calendar packages and create a monthly wall “daytimer” that measures about 4 feet tall by 5 feet wide. Now there’s no need to decorate that blank wall you have in the house (or office) – the calendar has taken care of that job for you!

Depending on the package that you get, the total decal cost for this giant masterpiece will run between $80 and $120. Again, it’s a very inexpensive way to decorate a wall while also making it functional. Not to mention you can save money each year on buying wall calendars ;).

Paint Your Own Giant Wall Calendar:

The true do-it-yourself way to create a chalkboard calendar is by using paint. By using painters tape or Frog tape, you can create your template and then simply paint everything all at once. This makes it a lot easier and faster.

This video below shows how to do it, along with some tips and the completed look…

Keep in mind that when using paint, you have a lot more flexibility in the colors that you use (tint the paint any color you want). You also can use dry erase paint instead of chalkboard paint. This technique works best with smooth walls rather than textured.

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