Really nice DIY Chalkboard you can make in less than an hour. We use chalkboard film and pallet wood to simplify the project. Watch the video below, then read through the instructions and photos:
DIY Chalkboard Parts List
Chalkboard Film, aka contact paper 24" wide
24" x 24" MDF or smooth plywood (avail at local home center)
Cut your pallet wood to size, the top piece of wood will be 24" wide. Depending on the width of the pallet wood you are using, the sides and bottom lengths will have to be measured. Note how there are no angle cuts in this frame layour. This is the same layout used for all of the windows in our house, which I love because its simple and it works.
Spray paint the edges of the MDF or plwyood, and the front and sides of the pallet wood frame pieces. They will dry quickly if you use flat paint. You can also stain this wood, or use a poly-stain. Poly stains are a tinted polyurethane. Saves some time in the process with that product.
The film I used is 24" wide, so its a perfect fit for the MDF. Pull back about an inch of the backing paper of the chalkboard film, and align it with one edge of the MDF/plywood. Smooth down that edge from the center to the outside corners. Then pull the backing paper off slowly, laying down the chalkboard film as you pull. Keep the film aligned with the edges of the MDF, and do your best to pull out the wrinkles in the film.
After you lay down the film, put the backing paper over the front of the film, and smooth out the wrinkles from the center outward with a flat edged tool. A dough scraper from your kitchen works well.
Dry fit the pallet wood frame over the top of the chalkboard film. Use a flip bit to drill pilot holes through the pallet wood that frames your DIY chalkboard. This keeps the wood from splitting when you screw into it.
We added picture frame wire on the back of the DIY chalkboard to make it easy to hang.
Picture hanging wire has this neat trick when you wrap it back on itself. The wire grabs onto itself, no knots needed.
How cool is that! What fun. Let me know suggestions below, thanks!
Janet
Real nifty. Thanks for teaching me about a few new things!