I know what you are thinking...did I read that correctly? Can you really make your own chalkboard paint in any color? Why yes you can!!!
Chalkboard paint can be expensive, and it usually comes in two colors, black or green. Not that black and green aren't lovely, but what if you want a pink chalboard, or possibly a bright orange one? No worries my friend...you can have a chalkboard in any color you like. I know, I know...I am a little obsessed with chalkboards. I seriously have one in almost every single room of my home. I just think they are wonderful. I mean, what's better than being able to write down a list and erase it later, or write down your favorite quote, or write a huge happy birthday message to your kiddos? Nothing! Absolutely nothing is better...well, maybe something, but whatever.
Okay, here is the top secret recipe...be sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board to save it!
What? That easy? Yep...tell ya mamma, tell ya friends! Seriously...you need to Pin this to Pinterest so you don't forget ;)
Extra cool tip...don't buy a bunch of paint...buy samples! They usually come in an 8oz container and you can get any color. A little goes a long way!
Now you can paint your own chalkboards...kind of like some of the chalkboards I have painted...truth be told, I haven't revealed my newest colorful chalkboard yet, but I'm going to soon!!!
Click on any of the photos below to be taken to that project!
Wanna see more chalkboard ideas? Click on the photo below...
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says
I heart chalkboards - now I heart homemade chalkboard paint!!
Love this - will be sharing with everyone who will listen!
Kelly
Jessica says
Thanks, Kel! You are the best!!!
Michelle Poe says
Hey sweetheart,.. I was wondering does the recipe for the chalkboard paint need to be flat paint or any kind?!? Please respond ASAP because I’d like to do it soon!!! My number is2482340310 if you’d like to just call me!!! God bless you sweetheart!!!
Jessica M says
it can be acrylic or flat....and a little tip...plaster of Paris works WAY better than the unsanded grout!
David P says
Yes it does!!
Tina Goodpaster says
How much Plaster of Paris?
Juanito says
Yes! Plaster of Paris; I made a replica of my cock; it came out perfectly!
Jamie Sotomish says
I bought some black chalk paint and a can of tintable assuming that it was white...it just looks milky was I wrong? Can I not use it as white?
Carole Beseler says
I tried using the unsanded grout once and it was so grainy I threw it out! Could it be that the grout was old?? I have a mixer I connect to my drill so I know I mixed it enough. I make my chalk paint out of plaster or paris; couldn't I use that for chalkboard paint???
Jessica says
I'm not sure why it didn't work for you...you could always mix a little water in to thin it out. I have heard that plaster of paris works well too :)
Tammy says
Great post love all the ideas would love it if you came by and shared at http://www.onemoretimeevents.com/2013/07/share-it-one-more-time-features-and.html Hope to see you there...Tammy
Jessica Cramer says
Love it! I had no idea it was that simple! Can't wait to try this out! Have a great day!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I totally need to try this Jessica! I want a chalkboard in every room too :)
Debbie says
Hi Jessica, I also do a lot of work with chalkboard paint mostly for children. I would love to see some of your work with the home made color recipe. I love all the work that you have done in the pictures that you have shared with us. Do you have any that you have made with the colored chalkboard paint? I am very interested to see how it looks and I am also going to try this for myself. I wish they made it in more colors and smaller containers would be nice as well instead of a full quart.
Best regards
Debbie
Jessica says
Hi, Debbie! I am actually working on one right now that will be posted next week. You can buy the samples in any color for around $3...they are usually around 1 cup, so the perfect size! I use the samples sometimes to paint a small piece of furniture. A little really does go along way!
Tarsha D McElroy says
Hi, I am into DIY projects and the one I am about to try is turning an old school desk into a master piece for my granddaughter. I want to turn the top of the desk into a chalkboard. I would love to purchase some of your chalkboard paint.
Jessica says
Hi, Tarsha! This is chalkboard paint that you can make yourself. I don't sell it, but it's super easy to make! Hope this helps! xoxo, Jess
Brooke says
I had no idea it was that easy! Now I can't wait to give it a try. Thanks so much for the fabulous tip! Have a wonderful day!
misty says
When you say latex does it need to be flat paint?
Jessica says
Hi, Misty! You can use flat, in fact that would probably work best, but I usually buy paint samples, and they are usually eggshell finish. Hope this helps!
Ankita says
Hey,
Can you tell me how much part of the wall will the quantity of paint you mentioned in the post be used on? In terms of length and breadth?
Jessica says
I can't tell you exactly, but a pretty large area. I have used in on entire pieces of furniture, and it goes a long way! Hope this helps! xoxo Jessica
Steph says
No more than 25 square feet. An 8oz tester is a quarter of a quart, and a quart will do between 80-100 square feet over a sealed surface...If you're painting something porous it won't go as far.
gloria says
I want to make a lot and paint my retainer wall outside. What kind of paint would I use for outside?
Jessica says
Hi, Gloria! What a great idea! I think I would use an outdoor paint for that so it wouldn't wash away. Hope this helps! ~Jess
Mary says
Have you tried making the chalkboard paint with outdoor paint? I am thinking about making my grandchild an outdoor chalkboard and I would love to know how your project turned out! Thank you!
Leslie says
I just used your recipe to paint my kiddos rooms with TONS of chalk board paint. Things I have noticed (this paint doesn't keep. the grout hardens and the paint is done so once you start the project, FINISH IT!! It does work with ANY color (which is nice) but works best with darker colors (so it shows the chalk better). My little girls colored on their walls with crayon so I decided that chalk board was cooler and then it wouldn't be graffiti. They LOVE it. I used multiple colors in my girls' room and my sons room. His room looks like a rocket ship that he gets to color controls on. After seeing the starwars movie, it is all he has been doing. SO GLAD I FOUND YOUR RECIPE!!!!
LouAnn says
My chalkboard paint dried with brush lines (I brushed horizontal on the 1st 2 applications & vertical on the next 2 -- and I used a sponge brush. I'm wanting a smooth finish. Can I sand it down and reapply?
Any other suggestions?
Jessica says
Since the chalkboard paint is made with unsanded grout, you may get lines if it isn't mixed super well. I like using a paint roller instead of a brush. You can absolutely sand it down a bit and go over it with a roller :)
Aaron says
So I can use this on the bedroom walls to make the entire wall into a chalkboard, right?
Jessica says
Yep...I've used it on an entire wall and write on it all the time!
Albert and Cindy says
We are thinking of using one side of our outdoor shed as a chalkboard for the kids to draw on when playing outside. Will this paint recipe work as an exterior paint for our shed? Please let me know.
Jessica says
I have used it a bit outside, and it does ok if it doesn't stay wet for long. A better alternative for outside would probably be the chalkboard spray paint. Hope this helps!
Sara says
I want to do the chalk board paint in my boys room but the walls are not smooth that’s the way the last owner did the walls will the chalkboard paint still work? if not what should I do?
Jessica says
It should still work just fine. Chalkboard paint actually works better on rougher surfaces. Hope this helps!
Valorie says
I was wondering if I could use porch paint and grout to paint a floor as a chalkboard for my grandsugars!😊
Lily Emo says
I have black grout and white paint.. Would that work instead of black paint and white grout?
Jessica says
I don't see why it wouldn't :)
Liz Diaz says
Hi, thanks for tip. I have one question, is it better to buy old already made chalkboard or chalkboard paint works better. Because I've seen some boards that usually get cloudy over time. And the chalkboard paint I hear I cannot clean it with water too much or it will fade. So I'm a little confused and have to toddlers pressuring me to get some chalk boards asap, Lol. Thanks for the help.
Dada says
Hi, I love the idea of the chalkboard in any colour, thank you for posting. Do you know if there's a way to make a magnetic one in any colour too?