Remember Your Magnetic Wall? Make It Into A Chalkboard Wall As Well!

Creating A Chalkboard Wall

Chalkboard paint can be applied directly over your magnetic primer. Be sure to use at least three coats of magnetic primer, per the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure that your magnetic wall is clean and dry before applying the first coat of chalkboard paint.

As with the magnetic paint, framing your area with painter’s tape is necessary for a professional appearance.

Your chalkboard wall needs to have a smooth finish for two reasons. First, the smoother the finish, the easier it is to write on and clean. Secondly, the magnets cling better to even surfaces. A smooth foam roller works best.

Chalkboard paint is very thick and creamy. Carbon Black gives it its deep, rich color, and seemingly oily consistency. Despite this, the wet paint cleans up easily with water.

Because the chalkboard paint is so thick, you will want to be very careful when edging with a brush to apply it in an even layer. Both the roller and the brush can create lines if you are not looking closely.

After the wall has fully dried, usually around 24 hours, you can apply a second coat.

The finished chalkboard wall stands up to repeated use, and chalk marks are easy to erase from its smooth, slightly shiny surface. The wall can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth.

Where To Keep The Chalk?

Consider placing a piece of molding below the chalkboard wall to protect the floor. As kids draw on the wall, a fair amount of chalk dust falls, and a simple ledge of molding can be dual purpose. The molding will catch the chalk dust, and if it is grooved or recessed, you can use it to store the chalk pieces.

I used to manage a card store, and you would be surprised at the quantity of paper dust, glitter, and velvet dust which accumulates from cards being shuffled about in a card run. I found that the most effective way to clean the runs was with a good vacuum with a hose attachment.

If you decide to use a piece of crown molding below your chalkboard wall, vacuum it out first before wiping it with a damp cloth when cleaning. Also, be sure to run a bead of caulk to seal the molding to the wall on the inside.

Because I have hardwood floors, and our chalkboard wall extends to the floor, I chose to hang a small ceramic wall planter on one side of the wall to house the chalk.

Some Fun Activities

There are so many ways to use your new magnetic chalkboard wall, and of course the kids will think up countless ideas on their own, but here are a few fun ideas.

• Use magnetic letters for stenciling
• Draw a habitat for animal and dinosaur magnets
• play hangman with magnetic letters
• trace around your sibling
• measure your height
• use the magnets to post favorite pictures, then draw them yourself with the chalk
• use magnetic pattern blocks to create over-sized, imaginative creatures
• teach beginning reading and writing skills
• teach beginning math skills
• create your own, movable, art gallery
• post or write reminders