Build a Giant Vintage Chalkboard
Have you scoured antique stores or Craig’s List looking for a big giant vintage chalkboard? Those vintage school green chalkboards are highly sought after. But, hard to find. I have good news for you! You can build a Giant Chalkboard any size you want! (Although, typically you’ll be restricted to 4′ x 8′ if you want to use a sheet of masonite.) And you can mix your own chalkboard paint in any color.
Take out your notebooks, your pencils, and get ready to take notes.
Materials:
- Masonite sheet cut to desired size (mine is 22″ x 48″)
- 1×4″ pine boards for frame
- 1 cup flat latex paint in color you desire
- 2 tbsp. of unsanded grout
- Pencil
- Stain
- White paint
- Paint brush
- Sanding block
- Container to mix paint in
- Kreg Jig
- Drill
- 1 1/4 inch pocket screws
- Staplegun
- 1/2″ staples
Instructions:
Pour 2 tbsp. of unsanded grout into your empty container. Add 1 cup of flat latex paint and stir well. (Yes, I used satin and it still worked.)
Paint the masonite with the chalkboard paint. Pull your brush in one direction. Then smooth out the paint by dragging the brush in a perpendicular direction.
Let the paint dry. Lightly sand and add a second coat of chalkboard paint.
Let that coat dry and sand smooth.
Assembling the chalkboard frame:
Cut the end of one of the 1×4″ boards at a 45 degree angle.
Mark 1/2″ inside the perimeter of your masonite chalkboard. Line up the interior edge of the 1×4″ with the corner of your penciled line.
Mark on the 1×4″ at the other end where the corner of your pencil line is. Cut your board from this point at a 45 degree angle. Cut a second board identical to your first board.
Continue marking and cutting for the other two sides.
Clamp the Kreg Jig on the end of the frame pieces and drill two pocket holes in the two longest sides.
Drive the pocket screws into the side pieces to assemble the frame.
If desired stain your frame and dry brush it white for a rustic and distressed look.
Rest the chalkboard onto the back of the frame. Check to make sure the pencil lines line up with the pencil marks you made earlier.
Attach the masonite with staples through the back side.
DIY Projector:
To create my chalkboard message, I printed out my design on overhead paper. Then I taped it onto a stool and shone a floodlight flashlight through the mylar.
It worked fairly well as a DIY projector and it was cheaper and faster than going out to buy an overhead projector ;-).
The chalkboard is perfect for decorating over our fireplace.
I can change out the message depending on the seasons.
I hope you build your own Giant Vintage Chalkboard. It’s easy and you can customize it to your space.
Pin for later!
Hello. Was the 1 cup of paint enough for 2 coats? I want to make a 32″ x 38″ board into a chalkboard and am wondering if 1 cup of paint will suffice or if I should make more. Thank you.
You might want to mix a little more. I can’t remember, but better to have too much than too little.
Do you happen to know the paint color?
I don’t. It was from some oops paint I had lying around.
Can you use marker chalk on this?
You can, but make sure the chalkboard is seasoned well. Chalk markers tend to leave ghosting marks.
Yes, just make sure you season the chalkboard really well. Chalk markers tend to leave ghosting after a while.
Do you the color of paint you used? I went to get paint today and there were A LOT of greens. LOL! I’m afraid I will disappointed if I don’t get a color VERY similar to yours.
Oh my gosh — I am trying to prepare dinner so I rushed that question. First, do you KNOW the color of the paint you used and I’m afraid I will BE disappointed. I swear I can write complete sentences!!
I LOVE THIS IDEA!! This will look perfect in our Parade Home !!! Thank you for the wonderful idea!!!
Just sent out an SOS email thru the school and ended up with a box of overhead masters! YAY! Can’t wait to try this trick. Thanks Brittany!
Great idea! Hope you get a bunch.
Thanks for the tutorial. I like the chalkboard. Very clever “overhead” you made!
thanks for the great tutorial. I am so sorry the dog is so stressed out by having its picture taken! lolol
Lol. Yeah, he’s super nervous and full of energy…not!
That is one awesome post Brittany! Never would have thought of that! Thanks for this.
So any paint with the grout works? I have something in mind….
Also love.love.love that rug. Source?
It won’t work with a semi-gloss or glossy paint and only unsanded grout. Aim for flat paint.
Best tip of day: a homemade projector with things that I have here at the house. Love it!!!