Chalk It Up to a Good Experience.
As with all successful DIY projects, there is an aspect of trial & error. The great part about reading a helpful blog like this is, I get to do the trial & error part, and you get to have the successful project part.
A couple years ago, I saw a room makeover show where the designer painted the whole bottom half of a little girl’s room with chalk-board paint. It was really adorable & functional and I’ve wanted to use chalkboard paint in some capacity ever since. The great thing about this paint is that you can use it on virtually any clean, hard surface. The directions say: “Apply to metal, wood, masonry, drywall, plaster, glass, concrete, unglazed ceramics and hardboard. It erases cleanly & provides the perfect surface for chalk-writing on walls, doors, tables, cabinets, picture frames, flower pots and more…”
There are SO many of those things (and more!) at Thrift Town that could be turned into a great little chalkboard. I think for my next chalkboard project, I’m going to put little chalkboard squares/labels on my TT glass canisters in the kitchen. But for now, I wanted to go big…
I decided on the perfect chalkboard surface: my newly acquired second-hand refrigerator. It had been a bit dinged up & scratched on one side by its previous owner, so what better way to cover up the damaged side and add a little bit of charm to my kitchen at the same time? Thrift Town doesn’t carry large appliances, but there are a million things there that you can chalk-up.
In pricing the chalkboard paint, I wasn’t doing a large area like a wall, so I opted for the spray can ($13.99) over the larger 2 quart size regular paint ($24.97 ). The steps are the same, whether you paint a fridge or something else.
{ here’s the before - I was just painting the one side of the fridge. }
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{ I covered all around the paint area with newspaper before I started,
and did 3 coats, all a couple minutes apart. Then let it dry. }
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{24 hours later - you cover the entire surface with chalk, then erase it. This sets the surface. }
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{then you just enjoy your message board! }
The cool thing about using this on a metal surface is that I can
still utilize the magnetic surface for little notes, invites, etc.
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We’re loving our calendar & message board, but here’s the trial and error part:
I read the directions that said to make sure you paint in a “well ventilated” area. The fridge is big, and I didn’t want the hassle of lugging it to the backyard to paint & getting it back in. So I opened all the windows in the house & figured I was good. But, after removing the newspaper from my fridge, very proud of my DIY-ness, I was horrified to discover that the spray had not only coated my fridge, but also my entire kitchen. Floor to ceiling, covered in fine black chalk paint. And it was now dry. 4 1/2 hours later, after mustering every ounce of elbow grease I had, scrubbing cabinets, floors, walls and all the clean dishes that were drying on the counter, I shook my fist at my project & hoped when it dried that it would actually work.
As evidenced by the last picture, the project was indeed a success (thank goodness!). I don’t think I will ever be using the spray can version of chalk paint again though. Spending a little more on the regular paint is worth it, and if you only do a small surface with it, you can put the lid back on & keep it for future thrifty chalky projects.
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For a little extra fun with your chalk board - try these pens. Crisp & smooth - great for chalk art!
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WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Have you used chalkboard paint for a fun project? Send us a picture!
Any DIY nightmare stories to share?
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