The internet is filled with a number of chalkboard designs. All of these look brilliant, but what is the best chalkboard paint to attempt this project? The best part is that we have listed down all the paints that you may need to make your dreams come true.

The best chalkboard paint has a number of uses. It can be put on a wall or a board. You do not have to worry about your child destroying the walls in the house if you have a chalkboard wall available for their creativity.

Moreover, you can make a common family graffiti wall to encourage bonding. Chalkboard paint can also be used to create a surface for adults to write down important things, like to-do lists, timetables, recipes, and meeting timings.

In this article, you will learn about some of the best chalkboard paints that you can use in your home. Moreover, you will also find tips on how to use the paint and how to paint a wall. These are essential if you wish to ensure that your house remains clean and tidy.

After all, chalkboard paint can leave traces on your floor and furniture if you are not careful.

Best Chalkboard Paint for Your Kids to Use

1. Krylon Chalkboard Paint- Best Aerosol Option

You will find the Krylon Chalkboard in a 1-quart can. The best part is that you can even use one of the paints versions as a paint sprayer. It may seem thin in texture at first, but once it dries, a roach-hard surface is formed.

This is extremely durable and will last for decades. If you are using a sprayer, all you have to do is wait 15 minutes for the paint to dry.

However, if you paint with a brush, it may take up to 2 hours for the paint to dry, especially if it is used on a writable surface. Krylon is one of the best chalkboard paints available in the market. It also comes in the form of an aerosol spray.

If you are looking to paint a small surface, the spray paint version works best.

Usually, the aerosol is used for reconditioning purposes, as well as for touch-ups. You can use it on different surfaces, such as ceramic, walls, plaster, and wood.

Advantages

• Extremely durable- Can last for years.
• Dries smoothly
• Easy application
• Aerosol option
• Dries faster than other paints.

Disadvantages

• Can only be used indoors.
• Difficult to get rid of old chalk.

2. FolkArt Chalkboard Paint- Best Premium Craft Option

Looking for the best chalkboard paint for crafts? The FolkArt Chalkboard Paint will not disappoint. It is eco-friendly and does not contain any toxic ingredients, making it the ideal chalkboard paint.

The best part is that you do not have to worry about exposing your pets and children to VOCs that will harm their respiratory systems, as this paint contains very few VOCs.

The FolkArt Chalkboard Paint has a water-base, making it super easy to clean. Moreover, you can choose from a variety of colors, such as green, black, and classic clear.

If you look hard enough, you will even find a can of paint in hot pink and electric blue- perfect for your children’s imaginative ideas.

Advantages

• Super easy application
• Can be found in a variety of colors
• Fast drying time
• Water-based
• Eco-friendly and non-toxic

Disadvantages

• The wall will have to be repainted after eight months if used frequently.
• The chalk does not stick as well as it does on other chalkboard paints.

3. American Crafts DIY Shop Chalkboard Paint- Best Multi-Use Paint Option

Unfortunately, the American Crafts DIY Shop Chalkboard Paint can only be found in black. However, this is not much of a problem, especially when you have paint of such premium quality as this one.

According to us, this is one of the best chalkboard paint options you have. In fact, we would definitely use it when doing some crafts at home.

The American Crafts DIY Shop Chalkboard Paint can be used on a variety of surfaces, such as paper, walls, wood, and many more. When the paint dries, it produces a hard finish. This is ideal for drawing and writing.

Moreover, you can create portable chalkboards and cards and placemats with the help of this paint.

The one thing we absolutely love about this paint is that it is not toxic. Moreover, it does not have that disgusting “new paint” smell that gives people allergies. The eco-friendly paint allows wonderful coverage, especially since it has a thick consistency.

The best part about its texture is that it does not run and does not develop too many air bubbles while painting either.

Advantages

• Once dry, the paint creates a washable surface.
• Eco-friendly
• Is not affected by mildew and mold
• The paint is great for priming chalkboards that have been painted before.

Disadvantages

• You need to wait 48 hours for the paint to dry.
• Sometimes, the color of the paint is not the one that has been advertised.

4. Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Paint 30-oz- Best Classroom Paint.

If you are looking for a value option, the Rust-Oleum chalkboard paint is the best one available. Not only is it affordable, but it is also super effective. This is why most classrooms use this paint.

You may find the texture of this paint a bit too thick for a sprayer, but if you use it with a roller, you will see that it does the job well.

There are three main options that you can choose between if you get the Rust-Oleum products. This includes a classic green used in classrooms, black, or a clear coat.

Once painted, it produces a hard surface finish. This is great for repainting and allows one to easily clean the walls once children have left the classroom.

We believe that this is the best chalkboard paint for those looking for a cheaper option because of the number of surfaces you can use it on- metal, plaster, wood, and many others.

A trick is to prepare the surface before you paint it by priming. This will ensure that the paint lasts longer and does not get destroyed despite repeated use.

Advantages

• When the paint dries, it produces a rock-hard finish.
• It allows easy erasing without the risk of damage.
• The paint is immune to scratches

Disadvantages

• It has a thick texture. This means that you may not be able to use it with a sprayer.
• It can only be used indoors.

How to Buy the Best Chalkboard Paint

If you want to make a writable surface for a school, office, or home, chalkboard paint is your best bet.

Your children may have been convincing you for years to get a chalkboard at home so that they can do their homework or make art and designs.

This is where the best chalkboard paint comes in. Moreover, a chalkboard could also be used by businessmen to list down logistics, track orders, or follow figures in the sales department. What better medium to get than good quality chalkboard paint?

How to Apply the Best Chalkboard Paint

Once you decide on the best chalkboard paint for your task, you need to start with painting the chalkboard. Below is a guide that will allow you to paint perfectly.

However, you must first prep the surface you are painting on. For example, if you are painting on a wall that already has a layer of paint on it, you need to clean it first.

Get some powdered sugar soap and water to create a mixture. Then, use this mixture to wipe the wall clean. Get rid of any dirt and debris. If you find any cracks or holes in the wall, use a filler.

Once you have cleaned the wall thoroughly and filled any hole, you must start by using a primer on the wall.

The purpose of a primer is to help chalkboard paint last longer on the wall and ensure a smooth application. Use a primer on the wall and then wait for an hour. Once it has dried, you can begin to paint the chalkboard.

Tips to Paint a Chalkboard

Based on the brand of paint you are using, you can choose to use a paint sprayer to make the application easier. After all, we all know that paint sprayers allow even paint coverage and do not use as much paint as brushes and rollers.

However, if you do not own a sprayer or you find that the paint is too thick and cannot be sprayed, you can use a roller. All you have to do is ensure that it is a foam roller. Other materials are not suitable as they leave some residue behind that can destroy the texture of your wall.

With the help of some masking tape, mark the area of the wall that you want to paint. You can make a chalkboard of any shape you want. If you are looking for inspiration, Pinterest is the best platform.

Drying Time

Based on the paint and brand you choose, the drying time can be different. Some paints can dry in a couple of hours, while others may take an entire day. We recommend that once you prime the wall, wait for 2 to 4 hours before using your first coat of chalkboard paint.

If the wall needs a second coat, make sure to let it dry fully. You may find that the paint is sticking too much. In this case, feel free to get rid of the masking tape you had initially used to mark the surface of the wall. Removing the tape, in this case, is important.

If the paint dries on the tape, it will chip some of the paint when you remove it.

Cleaning Spills

The best part about chalkboard paints is that they have a water base. This means that even if you drop some, you can easily clean it up without worrying about staining the floor or furniture permanently.

All you need is some mild detergent and warm water. Create a mixture and use a sponge to clean all the chalkboard paint. After cleaning up everything, make sure to give the brushes and tools a good wash.

For efficient cleaning, leave the brushes in a big cup of water and allow them to soak. After a couple of hours, wash out all the residue.

Conditioning

Before use, it is essential that you condition the chalkboard. After four days of the surface being painted, you need to take a block of chalk and rub it on the board, and then erase everything.

This process helps get rid of the chalk when you use it in the future. Moreover, it ensures that there are no drawings or words that cannot be erased from the surface in the future. Once a week, take out time to clean the chalkboard with a sponge and some warm water.

What is the Difference between Chalk Paint and Chalkboard Paint?

It is essential to know the difference between chalk paint and chalkboard paint. This is because both paints are used for different purposes and have different applications. Loads of people confuse both paints and do not understand why they are not getting the result they had hoped for.

Chalk paint is used to decorate furniture and carpets. It is also used to restore or decorate old furniture or paintings lying around the house. Once it dries, chalk paint leaves behind a chalky finish. This produces a class, vintage look.

On the other hand, chalkboard paint creates a hard surface when it dries. You can even write on the chalkboard paint with ease without worrying about any damage.

Chalk paint can easily be damaged, which is why it is used in loads of DIY projects. It can be scraped or scratched to create an artistic design or visual effect.

Hence, before you go out in the market, make sure to do your research and buy the correct paint.

Things to Consider Before Painting a Chalkboard

Before you start to paint the chalkboard, it is important to take some things into consideration. Here are some tips you need to follow to ensure that you use the best chalkboard paint to create the best surface:

1. Choose the Correct Wall

The most common mistake people make is that they use chalkboard paints on the focal wall in their house. They think that this will make their space look artsy, but there is nothing further than the truth. In fact, once you do not use the chalkboard and your children get over how cool it is, this wall will go to waste.

Instead, paint the chalkboard in some other room so that you do not get sick of constantly looking at it.

Even though you may be extremely tempted to create a beautiful design using chalkboard paints in your kitchen, it is not the smartest idea. You may want to write down a weekly menu or save some recipes on this surface, but how will you keep it away from children?

It is best not to paint a chalkboard in areas where your children have access; otherwise, you run the risk of making a graffiti wall and losing important information.

2. Seasoning the Wall

Like we mentioned previously, it is important to season the wall before you use it. Seasoning the wall standings for conditioning the wall.

3. Floor Damage

Remember, using chalkboard paint on the wall means that you may have to deal with some floor damage. Of course, chalk is super messy, and it can easily spread in different places.

This includes carpets and even floorboards. If you are using colored chalk, be prepared for it to strain the carpets and anything close by.

4. Storing Chalk and Erasers

It is best to keep the chalk and erasers in an accessible position so that in case you think of a good idea or inspiration strikes, you can quickly write down your thoughts or make quick pointers on the surface.

You can even hand them some decorate buckets for the chalk and erasers underneath the chalkboard for ease.

Conclusion

After reading this article, we hope that you have a clear idea of the best chalkboard paint and which product you should choose, depending on your needs.

Remember to follow the tips provided when painting your wall. If you are not careful, you may find that the chalkboard paint has damaged your home, furniture, or floorboards. Who wants to deal with extra damage?

The chalkboard may require touch-ups every now and then but think about the liberty your children will have! They will not shy away from drawing on walls to express their creativity. Moreover, you can also use the walls to jot down any urgent ideas, meetings, or inspirations.