How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

As part of the makeover of my son’s bedroom, I wanted to create a fun chalkboard desk surface for him to write and build legos on. The idea of a chalkboard coated surface came to me when I remembered how much he liked the mini-chalkboard decals that used to be on his room wall.

Creating a chalkboard surface on any desk or flat surface couldn’t be easier with the right tools. Here’s how you can create your own chalkboard desk!

Materials:

  • 3M fine grit sanding block
  • Valspar High-Hiding Primer tinted gray
  • Rustoleum chalkboard paint
  • 2″ paint brush
  • Foam brush
  • Small craft paintbrush
  • Desk surface (I used pre-cut finish grade plywood)
  • ScotchBlue painter’s Tape
  • General Finishes Water-based sealer (or satin Minwax Polycrylic)

Instructions:

Begin by lightly sanding your desktop with the sanding block. Wipe any dust off with a damp rag.

Paint one coat of primer on your desktop surface. (A little note about my primer: I asked the Lowe’s paint department to tint it as dark as they could with black colorant. This helps when you are painting over the primer with a dark color.)

How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

After the primer has dried, create a border on your desktop with painter’s tape. Press the edges down firmly with your fingers. Paint one coat of chalkboard paint with the paint brush. Brush the paint in one direction. Let that layer dry. Repeat with a second coat brushing across the original strokes (i.e. vertical then horizontal.)

How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

Before the second coat of chalkboard paint has dried, gently remove the painter’s tape.

How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

Once the chalkboard paint has thoroughly dried, line the inside edge of your chalkboard square with painter’s tape. Press the edges firmly with your fingers.

How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

Use the small brush to paint a thin line along the edge of the painter’s tape and the primed border to seal the edge of the tape.

How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

Let the chalkboard paint dry. Paint the edges of your desk with a contrasting color. I chose to paint my son’s desk with the same paint as the wall. Allow the first coat to dry and follow up with a second coat.

How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

To protect the borders of the desk from chipping and damage, paint a matte or satin water-based finisher on the border edges (do not seal the chalkboard paint area.)

How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

Remove the painter’s tape and admire that clean edge!

How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

Season your chalkboard and start writing messages.

How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

My son really likes his chalkboard desk. Next week I’ll show you how to mount it!

How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

Have a great weekend!

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How to Make a Chalkboard Surface Desk

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Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] spark to them too. Lastly, you can actually take some of that chalkboard paint from the mirrors and cover the tops of old desks as well to create fun brainstorming tables, which can be great for collaborative […]

  2. […] Pretty Handy Girls ChalkBoard Surface Desk […]

  3. […] Wood putty all your holes. Allow the putty to dry and sand the putty smooth. Paint your brackets, mounting boards and desk top. I chose to paint my desk top before hand with a chalkboard surface. […]

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