A magnetic chalkboard is a great way to share notes with the family or enhance a playroom.
A magnetic chalkboard is a great addition to a child's bedroom, playroom or even in a high-traffic area to leave notes for a busy family. Rather than purchase one of generic size, you can create your own on any existing wall or surface area. You can even add your own designs and flourishes to make it as individual as your family. This task is really no more difficult than painting a wall. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Ensure that the wall area is clean and smooth prior to paint application.
Prepare the surface area by removing any loose paint and debris and then cleaning with TSP. Scrub the area thoroughly and wipe it down with a clean, dry towel. If the wall is damaged or has any pin or nail holes, patch the area with wallboard joint compound, allow it to dry and then sand with a fine-grit sanding sponge. The wall should be smooth, clean and dry before painting.
2. Use painter's tape to outline your project area.
Tape off the boundaries of your magnetic chalkboard with wide (at least 2-inch) blue painter's tape. You can create decorative edges by using small pieces of tape to make angles or curves, or simply tape off a square or rectangular area. Tape the edge of a plastic drop cloth to the base trim beneath your project area and spread it out to cover the floor.
3. Stir the paint thoroughly to ensure magnetic attraction.
Stir and then apply the magnetic primer. To make sure that the primer has a strong magnetic attraction, it helps to have the clerk at the paint store shake the can prior to taking it home. Stir the paint thoroughly and pour it into the paint tray. Use a foam roller to apply a thin coat of magnetic primer to your wall area. Use an up-and-down motion to spread the primer over the entire area. Go back over it to ensure a smooth finish. To ensure a stronger magnetic attraction, make the area as smooth as possible. Apply a second coat after 30 minutes. For best results, apply a third coat, then wait four hours before applying the top coat.
4. Black is the most common chalkboard color, but other colors are available.
Apply the chalkboard paint with a 4-inch foam roller over the dry magnetic primer. Use the same up-and-down motion that was used with the primer and back-roll to make sure the finish is as smooth as possible. Chalkboard paint is available in many colors, so the number of coats necessary to bring out the color may vary. The more coats you paint, the more your magnetic primer will lose attraction. For most colors, a two-coat application will suffice. For the top-coat application, you will need to wait four hours between coats and at least 72 hours before applying chalk or magnets.
5. Remove the painter's tape and drop cloth. The top coat should be dry to the touch after 30 minutes, at which point there will be no more running or bleeding of the paint. Clean your brushes and rollers with xylene for the magnetic primer and plain soap and water for the chalkboard top coat.
Tags: magnetic primer, magnetic attraction, magnetic chalkboard, painter tape, after minutes, application will, area Tape
