How to Make Chalkboard Paint....In Any Color

Sorry for the delay in posts folks! I planned to be away for just the weekend, but sometimes the time gets away from me. I've done a lot the last few days as far as baking and crafts go, so that means lots of good posts to come your way.

I am in a wedding in September and the bridal shower is coming up here soon. Consequently, I've been doing some baking (cookies) and crafts for it. The last two days I spent part of my day making chalkboard paint for a sign that I need for the bridal shower. The chalkboard paint is easy to make, in any color you want, and probably fail proof. I mean if I can do it, so can you. 

What you need:

a clean/smooth surface (50''x 27'' plywood)

latex paint in any color (2 c)

unsanded grout (2 tblsp)

paint pad and stirrer

container (to mix it all in)

For my sign I used a large piece of plywood that was 50''x 27''. I sanded it down until smooth, or as long as I had patience with the sanding. Then wiped it clean with a damp rag. You'll see in my end result that you can still see some of the grooves from the plywood. 

I had a pale yellow latex semi-gloss interior paint on hand (which fortunately goes with the bridal shower colors), so I used that. You can use any color paint you desire. I also used white unsanded tile grout, and a paint pad (I suggest this over an actual paint brush).

I gave the board 2 coats of just the latex paint, without the grout. I let it dry 4 hours between each coat and then over night before applying the chalkboard paint.

To make the actual chalkboard paint I used a regular plastic cup to mix 1 cup of paint with 2 tablespoons of unsanded grout. Basically you need an 8:1 ratio of paint to unsanded grout. The 1 cup of paint applies 2 coats of chalkboard paint to a 50''x 27'' board.  Mix the grout and paint very well, trying to get rid of as many lumps as possible.

I applied the first layer of chalkboard paint in long repeating strokes, always going in the same direction. While doing so you want to apply pressure to the board in order to get rid of any remaining grout lumps you may have had in the paint. This is the main reason I suggest using the paint pad instead of the brush. The pad also gives a smoother finish, without the lines that would be inadvertently applied while using a paint brush.

Let the paint dry over night and by the next morning it's ready to be written all over with some chalk. Before you get to writing though, take a white piece of chalk and rub it against the entire board and then wipe it away. Easy as can be, with a pretty good turn out. Definitely no need to go out an buy chalkboard paint, when you can make it on your own.

In case you were interested, here was the intention of my chalkboard.  They make perfect signs!