Almost all young children love to draw, often using the floor, walls and pieces of furniture as a “canvas”. Taking into account the needs of their child, resourceful parents make certain adjustments to home interior, using special paint, which is easy to apply and just as easy to remove chalk. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to paint an entire wall or cabinet. To satisfy creativity A child is quite capable of a small chalk board, which can also be useful for adult family members if you use it, for example, for notes and reminders about important matters.
Paint that has a chalkboard effect is very often used for furniture restoration, making the coating matte, velvety and pleasant to the touch. Its creator is considered to be British designer Annie Stone. In 1990 she developed a special finishing material, which it began selling under the ChalkPaint brand.
Making a chalk board opens up a wide range of creative possibilities.
For your information! Given the name and consistency of ChalkPaint, it is logical to assume that one of its components should be chalk (calcium carbonate). However, the problem is that for more than 20 years the original recipe has never been revealed by its creator. Therefore, many clones have appeared on the market, created on the basis of a variety of materials.
In addition to interesting visual effect, chalk paint has a number of operational advantages:
- fits well on almost any material (wood, wood substitutes, metal, drywall, plaster, brick, tile and glass);
- has excellent adhesion to the surface;
- has good hiding power, hiding most defects of the old coating;
- dries quickly;
- doesn't have strong smell;
- non-toxic.
The disadvantages of this finish include its price and scarcity. “ChalkPaint” is not supplied to Russia at all, and its analogues from the companies “Tikkurila” and “Siberia” are an order of magnitude more expensive than conventional paints and varnishes. Therefore, in order to save money, many try to make the slate coating themselves, using more accessible and inexpensive components.
Factory slate paint Available in several color options
5 recipes for making chalk paint at home
To make your own chalk paint, you can use several recipes. The essence of each method is to add a fine granular substance to ordinary glossy paint, which gives the coating the necessary roughness.
Acrylic or latex wall paint is suitable as the main component. The second one is also produced at acrylic base, however, due to the addition of rubber to the composition, it has increased strength characteristics. Therefore if we're talking about When it comes to making a chalk board, the coating of which will be constantly subjected to certain loads, it is better to focus on the latex version.
Auxiliary ingredients you can choose from include sodium bicarbonate (regular baking soda), calcium carbonate, gypsum, tile grout, and even cornstarch. All options have the right to life, and their success primarily depends on the correct consistency.
Uses of baking soda
Application baking soda
Required proportion:
- 2/3 paint;
- 1/3 soda.
The preparation of such a composition is one of the most available options, since baking soda can be purchased at any grocery store. The process of creating paint is quite simple: you need to mix two components until a homogeneous mass is obtained. If the mixture turns out to be very thick, adding small quantity water.
Advice! To avoid lumps, soda or any other bulk material need to be added gradually.
When using this composition, complete coverage of the treated surface occurs when applying 3 layers of paint. Once dry, the finish has a fairly chunky grainy texture. If it is necessary to get rid of this effect, for example, for a chalk board, too large a grain size is unnecessary, it is enough to finish sanding the surface.
Applications of corn starch
Required proportion:
- 2/3 paint;
- 1/3 starch.
Just like soda, cornstarch is sold in almost any supermarket and has a very affordable price. Receiving technology the right mixture does not differ from the previous option, the only point is that you may need a little more water to obtain the optimal mass for application to the surface.
To completely paint the surface, 2 layers of coating are sufficient. At the same time, there is also a need for final sanding, since after drying the brushstrokes will be clearly visible, which can negatively affect the texture of the finish.
Applications of calcium carbonate
Applications of calcium carbonate
Required proportion:
- 2/3 paint;
- 1/3 calcium carbonate.
The price of 1 kg of fine calcium carbonate powder exceeds 200 rubles, so this chalk paint recipe is not the cheapest. But from the point of view of the result, adding chalk allows you to get, perhaps, best composition, which after drying has a uniform texture and does not require sanding. Full coverage of the part occurs after applying 2 layers of paint. With this finish you can safely open not only a chalk board, but also furniture.
Application of gypsum
Construction gypsum
Required proportion:
- 3/4 paint;
- 1/4 plaster.
The use of building gypsum (alabaster) is one of the most optimal options taking into account the price/quality ratio. This material costs an order of magnitude cheaper than chalk powder, while the coating after 2-layer processing has a uniform matte texture and, if the paint composition is of the correct consistency, does not require additional sanding.
Note! Gypsum dries very quickly, so after making the mixture it should be immediately applied to the surface.
Application of tile grout
Tile grout
Required proportion:
- 3/4 paint;
- 1/4 grout.
Tile grout is in the middle price category between calcium carbonate and construction plaster. The quality of chalk paint obtained using this material is quite high, so you can safely use it to decorate furniture. As a rule, it is enough to apply 2 layers of such a composition so that the coating is uniform and has no visible defects. In this case, finishing sanding is not required and after the surface has dried, you can immediately draw or write on it with chalk.
Master class on making a chalk board
Making a chalk board with your own hands is very simple if you have the necessary components, especially if the master has at his disposal - detailed instructions with clear illustrations.
Tools and materials
For work you will need following materials:
- glossy acrylic latex paint;
- fine granular component (one of those mentioned in previous section);
- container and stick for making the mixture;
- medium hard brush or roller;
- paper tape if you need to protect the edges;
- base for painting.
If the work will be performed in a residential area, working space It is advisable to protect against accidental contact paint and varnish material. For this you can use oilcloth or old fabric.
Note! The paint color for the chalkboard is selected individually. The choice does not have to be limited to the black option. Chalk will be clearly visible on brown, burgundy, blue, green and any other dark surface.
To make a slate board, use a standard tool kit for painting work.
Main stages of work
- Any material can be used as a base for the board: plywood, chipboard, fiberboard, MDF, natural wood or drywall. It is desirable that the base be smooth, without visible defects. Otherwise, you need to sand the surface using sandpaper. The same procedure (grinding) should be performed if the workpiece has a glossy finish. In order for the paint to have good adhesion to the surface, the gloss must be removed.
For this master class, the base was chosen to be the usual cutting board, which is available to any housewife
- Chalkboard paint can be prepared using any of the methods listed above. Most often, a combination of latex paint with gypsum or tile grout is used for such purposes.
If the surface to be treated has a small area, you can prepare the finish in any available container
- The resulting mixture should be applied immediately after preparation, as it dries quickly. To ensure an even coating, brush movements should be fairly smooth.
To completely paint the workpiece, a 2-layer treatment is usually sufficient.
- Drying time for chalk paint ranges from 30 to 60 minutes. If everything was done correctly, the surface will soon become matte and velvety.
If there are visible irregularities, light sanding should be done using fine-grained sandpaper.
- Once dry, the slate can be tested for functionality by making a short note or sketching a fun design.
The colors of the chalk and board should be contrasting so that the inscription is clearly readable
How to care for your slate board
Despite the excellent performance characteristics chalk boards, they can be easily scratched by hard objects. Therefore, you should not draw with cheap chalk, since it often contains impurities of sand and small pebbles. For home use It’s better to buy special crayons for drawing, which are gentle on the surface.
For your information! The composition of drawing crayons, in addition to calcium carbonate, includes a coloring pigment and a binder designed to reduce dust formation during operation.
Do not use abrasive material or aggressive cleaning agents to wipe writing off the board. To erase chalk, just apply a damp soft cloth or a sponge.
Application soft material for cleaning the board from chalk will significantly extend its service life
A DIY chalk board for drawing or writing will allow you to solve several problems at once. Such an accessory will decorate almost any interior, and all important tasks will be recorded, and therefore completed. But most importantly, the results children's creativity will move from walls, floors and furniture to the surface intended for this.
In today's article I will tell you how you can make a school board with your own hands. I don’t know about anyone, but as a child I tried to make a drawing board at home, and according to my memories, I only made my parents laugh. I hope that after reading the article, you will be able to please your children good advice, and help them build a real school board on their own. Of course, you can buy a school board, but believe me, following the instructions below, building it with your own hands will not be difficult for you, the main thing is to be careful and consistent.Blackboard materials
To make a school board with your own hands, you will need the following tools and materials:- chipboard (Size: 1999x1349x16 mm) – for the base;
- Frosted glass (Size: 1997×1347x5 mm) - for the front surface. Glass, if you do not have experience cutting it yourself, it is better to order already cut glass from the seller.;
- Aluminum U-shaped profile (thickness 25 mm, internal distance 20 mm) - for the frame. Length: 2 pieces (top/bottom) - 2002 mm, 2 pieces (sides) - 1347 mm. Before starting work, aluminum profiles It is necessary to cut them at an angle of 45 degrees and file them with a fine file.
- Enamel black or dark green. You can also use paints with fine porcelain abrasive, which are more durable.
- Canopies for wall mounting
- Self-tapping screws
- Silicone sealant(you can use glass glue)
- Insulating tape for the seal
- If you want to make a school board with opening sides, you will need butterfly hinges or piano hinges.
To make it more convenient to assemble our school board, it is better to carry out all the work on a table, the table top of which should be smaller than the base of the board.
1. Place the chipboard on the table and clean its surface from various contaminants.
2. Apply glue to the cleaned chipboard in the form of parallel strips, in increments of 50 mm.
3. Place the glass carefully and evenly on top of the glued base. Second hands won't hurt here.
4. Move the glass slightly, from side to side, so that the glue is evenly distributed between it and the chipboard. Next, press the glass onto the base. Remember that since the glass is smaller than the base, the allowances on all edges must be the same.
5. Along the entire perimeter, the edges of the glass must be secured with electrical tape, and it must be wider than the grips of the aluminum profiles.
6. Leave the board for 24 hours to dry.
7. We paint the glass. Since the glass is frosted, the paint should lie flat. For this purpose, it is better to paint with a spray bottle, and for better atomization, the paint is diluted with a solvent in a ratio of 5 to 1. After the first painting, leave the glass to dry for a day, then apply another layer of paint.
8. After the glue and paint have dried, you can attach the aluminum profile, which is attached to the chipboard at the ends with self-tapping screws measuring 4x16 mm along the entire perimeter of the board. Such fasteners will be sufficient, since the profile does not bear any load and is used more for decorative purposes.
Well, our school board is ready.
To mount it on the wall, you can use various fasteners; it’s best to look at the building materials and accessories market.
If you glue a sheet of metal between the chipboard and the glass, the board will not only be used for drawing, but also for attaching various magnets to it.
At a certain age - not very respectable, but already almost reasonable, everyone was naughty and schoolchildren. Even inveterate excellent students dreamed of spending a stinking chemical experiment under the athlete's window - so as not to force the learned person to dangle on the horizontal bar like a sausage. Having our own inventive back-eaters, we already have to ask the exact opposite question: How to eliminate the consequences of the actions of a domestic demon? Today on the agenda are specifics: Do-it-yourself school board made or restored.
Today we will make a modern school board
Materials and accessories for the board
First you need to find out what the modern school board is made of? We will need:
- Chipboard for a rigid base. Sanded, 16 mm thick.
- Frosted glass for the front surface. You can take a thin one, but not less than 3 millimeters.
- U-shaped aluminum profile 25 mm wide (including 3 mm glass). The internal distance in this profile is 20 mm - just right for our purposes.
- Matte enamel in dark green or black. If you can buy paint with fine porcelain abrasive (used in machine tools and for painting outboard motors), it will be just perfect. It will last ten years longer.
- High-quality insulating tape for the seal - so as not to reinvent the wheel.
- Canopies on the wall.
- Silicone sealant or glass glue.
- Self-tapping screws.
If you intend to make a hinged board, similar to a trellis, you will need butterfly loops. But today school will cost as usual teaching aid dimensions 2000x1350x25 mm.
School board detail
In any case, you will have to order glass cutting from a workshop. We recommend paying for processing and delivery immediately to avoid injuries and accidents.
- Glass 1997x1347 mm.
- Chipboard 1999x1349 mm.
- 2002 mm – 2 pcs., upper and lower profile.
- 1347 mm – 2 pcs., side profiles.
All aluminum profiles are sawed at an angle of 45 degrees and the cut is processed with a small file or needle file.
Making a school board
Before making a school board, you need to glue the main surfaces and process them. We used a table smaller in size than the board and occupied it for three days.
Put it on chipboard table and carefully remove crumbs, sawdust, etc. from the surface damp cloth. Apply glue in strips parallel to the long side of the board, spaced approximately 50mm apart. Ask someone to help you, because it is almost impossible to carefully place the glass horizontally on top of the adhesive base alone.
You need to “wriggle” the glass a little, pressing it over the entire surface. It less base, so distribute the tolerances evenly and immediately grab around the perimeter with electrical tape. The tape should not be wider than the grips of the aluminum profile.
The glue will dry for about a day, but after three hours you can start painting the glass. On frosted glass The enamel will adhere well if you don’t decide to apply it with a brush. For spray paint, the paint must be diluted with an appropriate solvent in a ratio of 5:1. Two approaches with a break of a day were enough for us to achieve a uniform color and an acceptable surface.
We snap the aluminum profile only after the coating and glue have completely dried. You can attach it to chipboard ends 4x16 self-tapping screws around the perimeter of the board. Since it does not carry any load, but serves only as a frame, this will be enough.
We figured out how to make a school board ourselves, or rather just a school board module for now. You can simply hang it on the wall by screwing basic fasteners to the base, or you can combine it with mechanisms or devices.
So, by taking a wider profile and gluing glass on both sides of the chipboard, we will get a ready-made module for a rotating or hinged school board. Using a sheet of metal instead of glass (of course, not three-millimeter thick, 0.4 mm body sheet metal is quite enough), we get a magnetic board and so on.
When my boys were little, they committed sabotage worse than the pests of the 30s. Either they improved the design of freshly hung wallpaper using felt-tip pens, or they managed to cut out flowers from wallpaper prepared for hanging. And of course they got it for gingerbread. It’s a pity at that time I didn’t even realize how easy and simple it was to arrange a place for kids to draw on the wall. I hope someone finds the special paint recipe useful. You can draw on it with crayons, like on a blackboard. Wash with a damp cloth.
Any surface can be painted. The ingredients are simple.
Cook in a small container special composition in a ratio of 2 tablespoons of cement to 1 glass of paint. If you are making a note board, you won't need as much paint - reduce the amount while maintaining the proportion. Mix the composition thoroughly. The cement is the most common, acrylic paint. You can take black, or you can take colored. Just keep in mind that cement will make the paint color a little lighter.
Apply the composition to the surface of the hardboard. Place your strokes in one direction. When the layer dries, apply a second one, working with the brush perpendicularly. You can make a writing board, or you can paint part of a wall or a cabinet door.
There is a special paint that performs the same functions - turning any surface into a place for drawing or writing. But it is quite expensive, about 800 rubles per liter. It has no odor and dissolves in water. 1 liter jar is enough for 9 - 12 sq. m.
Here's how it works with an example.
