Is Chalkboard Paint Waterproof? How To Apply?

Chalkboard paint is extremely popular due to its unrivalled durability. It can be used to produce a distressed, shabby chic look or to resurrect an old piece of furniture.

Wood and laminated furniture, metal, acrylic, cladding, mortar, stone, or glass can all be painted.

Is Chalkboard Paint Waterproof?

Chalkboard paint is not waterproof but is water resistant. It cannot be used on surfaces that are exposed to water on a regular basis. Chalkboard paint is resistant to precipitation. If the surface is exposed to water, a lacquer sealer is needed.

Chalkboard paint is not waterproof, but it is water resistant. What’s the difference you might ask, well;

Waterproof	Water-resistant
An object being waterproof means that it cannot be easily damaged by water.	A water-resistant object can only withstand water only up to a certain point.

So the question is not whether the chalkboard is waterproof or not, it’s whether it can withstand water. A few things that you might want to ask yourself are; what are you painting and where is it placed?

• Surfaces or furniture that are placed indoors and get the occasional water spits can be left unsealed or can be just sealed with wax when painted with chalkboard.
• Outdoor surfaces which will get water may have to be sealed with lacquer or a sealer; depending on what object it is being used on and where.
• Anything that is submerged in water needs to have shellac, varnish or lacquer seal over it.

What Is Chalkboard Paint?

Chalkboard paint is a form of paint that can be used to produce writing surfaces. Chalkboard paint is a hard-pigment paint that dries to look like a chalkboard, making it a nice addition to your home decor.

It is neither a paint that is used on a chalkboard, nor the chalk that kids use to play with. It varies from chalk paint, which is a form of paint that gives furniture a matte, antique appearance.

How to Paint With Chalkboard Paint?

You have the option of painting with chalkboard paint yourself or hiring a specialist who is familiar with this style of specialty paint.

1. Priming the wood or metal surface is the first step of every project. It should be allowed to air dry for at least two hours.
2. After the first step, blend your chalkboard ink, thinning it only if you live in a very hot and dry climate.
3. Enable four hours for the first coat of chalkboard paint to dry before adding a second coat.

Steps To Apply Chalkboard Paint

Here’s what you would need to do in order to apply chalkboard paint,

Step 1: Make sure the current surface is smooth, just don’t sand or prime it. If the surface has stains or is stained with a dark red wood stain like cherry, you may need to add a coat or two of shellac first to prevent the stains from bleeding through.

Step 2: Paint the first layer, thinly or thickly depending on the look you like, and let it dry. If the object requires a second coat, do so as soon as the first has dried.

Step 3: After you’ve achieved the desired level of coverage, sand the places you intend to reveal with fine-grit sandpaper.

Step 4: After you’ve achieved the desired level of coverage, sand the places you intend to reveal with fine-grit sandpaper.

Step 5: Add the wax in small parts at a time with a brush and a rag. Depending on the perfect sheen on the finished product, you might want to add more than one coat of wax. After each suit, buff.

Step 6: For a truly long-lasting end, leave the wax to cure for up to three weeks.

How to Make Chalkboard Paint Magnetic?

You can make your chalkboard magnetic by purchasing a magnetic primer from a hardware store and painting it on the chalkboard ink. To make the magnetic effect better, apply two or three coats of this magnetic primer, and then use lightweight magnets for the best performance.

Making chalkboard paint magnetic, so you can post bits of paper on it or just decorate it with fun magnets is also a common concept.

Drawbacks of Using Chalkboard Paint

It’s important to be aware of the possible pitfalls when considering painting with chalkboard paint.

Chalkboard paint, for example, is more costly than standard paint. Bear in mind that your chalkboard would need to be conditioned. This means that it is easily erased. Cleanup, on the other hand, is a breeze with only soap and water.

Difference Between Standard Paint and Chalkboard Paint

	Chalkboard Paint	Latex Paint
Effort	Self-primer that adheres well to almost all surfaces. No need to buy a primer.	Latex paint requires a primer as the first coat so that it can adhere well to surfaces.
Technique	Goes well with an antique or distressed look as compared to latex paint as chalkboard paint is matte.	Suitable for a shiny modern sleek look. Has a smoother look.
Cost	More costly than latex paint but requires less paint.	Less costly than chalkboard paint but more paint is required when used.

Chalk paint differs from standard oil or latex paints in the way it is applied. The biggest difference is that you don’t need to prepare the surface before painting, but you do need to add a wax coat to protect the finish afterwards.

Chalk paint is made up of calcium carbonate (chalk), which gives it a smooth texture. It’s often used to achieve a rustic or distressed look by sanding the painted piece to expose the underneath surface. Chalk paint is also common for repainting wood doors, walls, and trimming because it is easy to monitor the evenness of the coat and doesn’t leave noticeable brush strokes.

Decide how you want the finished product to look before you start painting. You will thicken the paint a little by making it stay open for a few hours if you want complete coverage. Thin the color with water and create a paint wash. Paint, brushes, fine-grit sandpaper, wax, and lint-free wiping cloths are needed.

Where Can You Apply Chalkboard Paint On?

The beauty of chalkboard paint is that it can be used to transform virtually every surface into a writing surface.

 A shopping list can be held on the back of a kitchen door, and a tabletop can be used as a fun canvas for a child’s bed.

Paint swatches onto your gardening pots or storage jars to mark what’s inside, or use painter’s tape to cordon off one small section of a wall for a convenient writing surface.

Final Verdict

Chalkboard paint is very useful and water-resistant but not waterproof. It means it can resist water but up to a limited extent. So it is preferred not to give it exposure to water as it can harm the texture and tear it off from the wall so it is better to be careful than facing harm.