Drop Cloth Chalkboard with Pallet Boards

A scrap drop cloth might not look like much at first, but it makes a surprisingly great chalkboard. The texture gives it a relaxed, rustic look, and it is the kind of project you can change up anytime with a quick new message. If you have a leftover drop cloth and a little chalkboard paint, you are already most of the way there.

Let’s see how easy this large drop cloth chalkboard is to make!

Paint Drop Cloth With Chalkboard Paint

This piece of frayed drop cloth used to be on my kitchen table as a runner. More recently, it was in storage. As I was looking through my stash of drop cloth pieces, this one seemed the perfect size for my drop cloth chalkboard project. I thought about using chalkboard spray paint, but opted for brush-on chalkboard paint in the quart can. It was easy to apply using a small roller.

While the chalkboard paint was drying, I got to work cutting the wood for the top and bottom of my new drop-cloth chalkboard project.

Pallet Wood

I got a blue pallet last year. I used some of the wood to make the printable pallet frame. Pallet wood is naturally rough, so it should be sanded with an orbital sander.

Cut Pallet Wood to Size

After sanding the pallet wood smooth, I examined it for random nails or staples. Then I cut it on my miter saw.

To give the wood a deeper tone, I used my favorite Smoked Glaze and a cheap chip brush. I wonder which color you like best. Before or after the glaze? Learn all about glazing in my post How to Glaze Painted Furniture.

Attach the Pallet Board to the Drop Cloth Chalkboard

The chalkboard drop cloth was stapled to the pallet board for good measure. In this image, you can see that I also stapled the twisted wire hanger to the pallet board. Twisting wire is easy and makes it look so much prettier.

Initially, I attached a twine hanger, but while cleaning up my mess, I found the perfect twisted wire just waiting for a new project. You can see my twisted wire hanger video in my post Loaf Pan Planter with Twisted Wire Video Tutorial. It has become my favorite way of hanging rustic projects.

Secure Drop Cloth Between Two Pallet Boards

I used drywall screws to secure the drop cloth chalkboard in between the pallet boards. The screws were secure from the back.

After hanging the drop cloth chalkboard on the fence for pictures, I removed the bottom pallet boards and cut off about 20 inches of the drop cloth.

After a few days, I seasoned the chalk surface by rubbing a piece of chalk over it.

This is where the drop-cloth chalkboard currently hangs in my home. It makes me smile every time I walk by it. It currently has the Welcome transfer from my The Junky Chalker online store. I tried writing the word welcome on it, but it didn’t look very good.

This easy drop cloth chalkboard project is quick and easy. I love how it looks with the twisted wire hanger. Did you know they have chalkboard vinyl available on Amazon. Using that would really make this project easy.

edited to add:  oops, there’s a typo in the chalkboard! 🙂

The drop cloth is a little stiff, but it’s easy to write on and the chalk wipes right off. Keeping it real here, it was really messy seasoning the chalkboard.

I think it is perfect for writing messages to family members, making lists and more! The best part, is it’s totally customizable to your liking.

gail

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