How to Make a Slate Blackboard

Create slate blackboard areas.

Slate blackboards revolutionized education in the United States and became a vital tool in childhood education. The chalkboard proved an affordable alternative to paper and pencils. Blackboards are perfect for children's art, spelling practice, or play. Add a few coats of chalkboard paint to any surface. Try painting a small rectangle on a cabinet door or a wall near the phone for an instant message board, or paint the top of a child's table and transform the table into more than just a workspace.

Things You'll Need

• Stain-blocking primer
• 120-grit sandpaper
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Container to hold paint
• 1 cup flat-finish latex paint
• 150-grit sandpaper
• 2 tablespoons powdered tile grout
• Paint stirrer

Instructions

1. Mix together 1 cup flat-finish latex paint in any shade and two tablespoons of powdered tile grout. For small areas, like door panels, mix a cup at a time. Pour paint into a 1-cup disposable container. Mix well with a paint stick and carefully break up any clumps. This paint does not keep well, but you can store it in an airtight container for a few hours. Any longer, and the paint will begin to thicken and become brittle.

2. Prepare wood by sanding with medium 120-grit sandpaper. Fill gouges and any chips with wood filler and let dry, then sand lightly. Lightly sand the entire surface area with fine 220-grit sandpaper. Dust with clean rags so the chalkboard finish will remain smooth. Prime to ensure topcoat adhesion, blockage of stains and uniformity. Chalkboard paints are water-based, and using an interior stain-blocking latex primer works well. Use a good quality grade of primer paint for long-lasting results.

3. Apply paint with a sponge brush to the primed or painted surface. Work small sections, going over the same spot several times to ensure an even coverage. Allow each coat of paint to dry completely before applying the next coat. Two coats will give a durable finish. After every coat of paint, lightly sand the paint with 150-grit sandpaper, and wipe off dust.

4. Condition the chalkboard by placing a piece of chalk on its side and rubbing it over the entire painted chalkboard surface. Rub an eraser in circles around the blackboard to spread the powder. Use a slightly dampened cloth to wipe off the layer of chalk. Most latex paints require a one-week cure time before use. The blackboard is then ready for years of use.

References

• Martha Stewart: Make Custom Color Chalkboard Paint
• Apartment Therapy: Look! Chalkboard Paint on a Kitchen Wall
• SearchWarp Writers' Community: Slate Chalkboards
• Easy House Painting Tips: Chalkboard Paint---How to Paint a Chalkboard

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish