This is a story about a couple of chalkboard/magnetic boards. Have you used magnetic paint? I have a couple of times, with very little success. I decided to break it out again, and give it another try.
I was making two chalkboards. I cut some luan (very thin plywood) to size. I proceeded to tape off the wood so that only a portion of it would be magnetic, but all of it would be a chalkboard. When I opened the paint and stirred it, I noticed it had a pinhole in the bottom of the can and it was leaking. I poured the paint into a plastic bowl and continued stirring. The plan changed-I decided to paint one board completely and the other board as planned.
SEVEN coats later and the magnetic paint will still only BARELY hold a very strong magnet. So the moral of this story is I will not be using this paint again. Too many failed attempts. I did apply a couple of coats of chalkboard paint over the magnetic paint, so it wasn’t a total fail.
Please excuse the (saw)dust on the camera lens. This is the reason I do not have a big expensive camera!
Let me blow that dust off—wewh wewh
That’s better . . . This magnet is barely hanging on. After taking these pictures I decided the divided chalkboard panes needed a little something more.
I used my Silhouette to cut out some vinyl days of the week. The font is MV Boli, and it weeded very easily. I put boxes around my words so that it is easier to weed. As I was pulling the waste off I noticed how the “stickers” would make great stencils.
I placed them on the chalkboard (which you can see is not exactly smooth due to the layers and layers of magnetic paint) and dabbed on some white paint. Because of the rough texture, there was a LOT of bleed. I had to work very quickly, and I’m surprised I thought to grab the camera before I washed this off.
Meanwhile I used the letters and placed them on the other chalkboard. (the one that only had two sections of magnetic paint).
I bought these glass-less cupboard doors at Tickled Pink recently. I knew they would make great chalkboards and more!
After I got done with the lettering, I decided to make another set of labels. Again I pulled off the “waste” and applied them onto the second chalkboard.
I picked out these two cupboard doors and paid for them. As I was about to drive off, I got back out of the car, and picked out two more. Why didn’t I get more…. I think they are sooo cute!
I’m working on building something out of the other two. I may not be able to show you that till next week, you know that whole “waiting for paint to dry” thing.
Besides these, my favorite would be the one hanging in my kitchen that I use all the time. It was made out of a curbed armoire door.
What’s the best thing you’ve made into a chalkboard?
gail
See other great chalkboard ideas here:
Linking to:
Misti @ Living On Cypress Hill says
June 24, 2012 at 4:39 amThese are so neat! I would have never thought to have done something like this!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says
February 6, 2012 at 12:50 amI’ve had the same problem with the magnetic paint! I think you need super strong magnets! But I love your chalkboards! And I still have a door in my garage (for 2yrs now) just waiting for chalkboard paint!
About Me says
February 1, 2012 at 1:10 pmI never tried magnetic paint. Thought about it. Doesn’t look like it will ever be in my cart. Your chalkboards are adorable. I should make something like that for Kaley’s room (for chores). Actually it should stay in the kitchen. If I put something like that in her room, the chores mat get changed. GREAT idea.
TTYS : )
Two Dollars says
February 1, 2012 at 7:07 amI made 3 bedroom doors into chalkboards. Look similar to the pic you posted.
-Stefanie
2ndChanceCreations.etsy.com
The DIY Show Off says
February 1, 2012 at 2:41 amAwesome! I love the chalkboard calendar window, Gail! Great job ~ as always! 😉
Stephanie says
January 31, 2012 at 11:01 pmI was just given a free piece of that wood at Home Depot the other day! Didn’t know what kind it was, but now I do! Luan, how do you know these things? Love the chalkboards, not loving the hassle of the magnetic paint, good to know not to buy 🙂
ARod says
January 30, 2012 at 9:17 pmawesome luff them what a great find and even greater idea
Janet says
January 30, 2012 at 9:00 pmYou just gave me a great reason to visit our local ReStore, thanks! I love the days of the week on each section, I’ve been looking for a better way to organize my week than writing everything on one tiny space on the calendar. 🙂
Korrie@RedHenHome says
January 30, 2012 at 4:20 pmI love the ‘days of the week’ chalkboard–it reminds me of something Pottery Barn has in their catalog!
Korrie@RedHenHome says
January 30, 2012 at 4:20 pmI love the ‘days of the week’ chalkboard–it reminds me of something Pottery Barn has in their catalog!
Anna@Directions Not Included says
January 30, 2012 at 4:09 pmGreat idea!!! I repurposed IKEA lack side tables into full chalkboard tables for kids gifts last year. They were a hit!
a says
January 30, 2012 at 4:09 pmThis comment has been removed by the author.
Rosemary@villabarnes says
January 30, 2012 at 3:20 pmThey look awesome Gail. Great achitectural feel.
Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama says
January 30, 2012 at 2:54 pmI love your days of the week chalkboard.. really cute. I have a cupboard door I want to make a chalkboard out of and hang on the side of my fridge(cause I dont really have a wall that work),, do you think they make magnets strong enought to hold that on my fridge??
Paula says
January 30, 2012 at 2:10 pmI just painted a small wall in my kitchen with magnetic paint. I used the entire cane, and one thing we did was constantly stir the can so nothing settled on the bottom. Then we painted over it with chalkboard paint. I’m using super strong magnets and it is working!
Proper Prim says
January 30, 2012 at 2:04 pmGreat idea Gail… love the separations on the board.
Thanks for the tip on the magnetic paint. I looked at that awhile ago, but the price of it made me put it right back on the shelf. I would have really been angry had I bought it and it didn’t work.
Can’t wait to see what is coming with the other cupboards.
Have a great day…
Hugs, Deb
Anne says
January 30, 2012 at 2:00 pmcute idea to use the days of the week! I’m so glad I never bought the magnetic paint last year…
TFS!!
xox
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
January 30, 2012 at 1:38 pmi really love the look of these- so nice! the panes add so much interest!
Full Circle Creations says
January 30, 2012 at 1:00 pmI have never used magnetic paint. Glad to know that it isn’t all it’s advertised to be. Thanks for keeping it real. Love the way these turned out. And yes you should have gotten some more! HA! Great job! Can’t wait to see what you’re working on.
Holly
Terri says
January 30, 2012 at 12:41 pmI believe that I have two cupboard doors hiding under a bed somewhere in my house (hubby would never “get” it). They would be perfect for this project!
You really rock the “vinyl”…I cannot tell you how much trouble I have getting this stuff to stick on painted wood. Tried to make signs for my garage sale and I was ready to cry!
Anyhoo, just saw your guitar clock on Roadkill Rescue…how cute was that?!! Love it!
Our Delightful Home says
January 30, 2012 at 12:10 pmThis is a creative idea.
~Mrs. Delightful
ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
I Play Outside The Box says
January 30, 2012 at 12:04 pmThat really turned out great! Should fetch a pretty penny, if you’re going to sell it.
I bought a little wood one time and then rounded up my grandyoungun’s for a day and they made shelf sitters for their parents. They painted the chalkboard paint on one side, then they used some wallpaper to cover the sides and back.
Now to find something else to do…that I might be able to use more of the wallpaper on. I was the ‘lucky winner’ of 6 discarded sample books off freecycle one time…..what was I thinking?!?! lol
I keep thinking I need to put them back on freecycle…but I know…without a doubt…as soon as I do…I’d find something I could use it on.
Pieced Pastimes says
January 30, 2012 at 11:59 amI didn’t know there was such a thing as magnetic paint – sounds like I didn’t miss much though. Your chalkboards turned out great! Love the individual panes and how you added the vinyl words. Nice!
Angie says
January 30, 2012 at 11:14 amI love your new chalkboards! I just finished turning a portion of a wall in our entryway into a chalkboard, which doesn’t sound all that exciting, but I think it is actually pretty unique.
We’re going to “frame” it, then add a row of coat hooks across the center. It looks perfect for this room that has been wallpapered in old dictionary pages.
Thanks for giving your review of the magnetic paint – glad I won’t waste any money on it!
Blessings,
Angie @ Knick of Time
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