How to Make Easy DIY Latex Chalkboard Paint – Any Color!

Make your own super easy DIY Latex Chalkboard Paint, in any color, with this 2-Step recipe!

Easy DIY Latex Chalkboard Paint

I love chalkboard paint. And, kids love chalkboards! So, I can always think of new reasons to mix up a little of this DIY Latex Chalkboard Paint for projects around here.

I always make my own chalkboard paint for a few reasons.

First reason, I can make that chalkboard paint in any color, so that it matches the room I want to use it in. Store-bought chalkboard paint usually only comes in black.

Second reason, it’s really easy to make this chalkboard paint. Just add a little non-sanded grout to latex or acrylic wall paint and you are good to go.

Third, I don’t have to wait around for Amazon to deliver chalkboard paint and I don’t have to run to the store hoping to find chalkboard paint in a color I like.

And, the last and most important reason, homemade chalkboard paint works just like the store-bought chalkboard paint.

OK, let’s get to that DIY Latex Chalkboard Paint Recipe!

How To DIY Latex Chalkboard Paint At Home

Quick Step Guide

1. Prep the Grout
2. Add to Paint and Mix
3. Apply 2 to 3 Coats
4. Condition the Chalkboard

Materials Needed

• Water-Based Latex Wall Paint
• Non-Sanded Grout

Please Note: When you make homemade chalkboard paint with non-sanded grout, the color of the grout might slightly change the overall color of the chalkboard paint you are making. Due to the dyes in the grout.

Prep the Grout

Start with 2 tablespoons of non-sanded grout in a disposable cup or plastic container. Break up any balls or chunks of the grout into a fine powder.

I LOVE to use old plastic food containers with a screw on top to store all of the DIY Chalkboard Paint and the DIY Chalk Paint from Plaster of Paris I mix up. It usually lasts for months in containers with screw on tops.

Just be sure to clean the container before using it. If you don’t have any old food containers, you can buy food containers with screw on lids from Amazon or in most grocery stores.

Step Two – Add to Paint and Mix

Pour in one cup of latex paint. Mix thoroughly with a plastic spoon or stir stick. You don’t want any lumps or spots of unmixed powder. This will thicken the paint a bit.

If your wall paint is acrylic instead of latex, it should work too. You can use the same recipe with that acrylic wall paint.

Step Three – Apply 2 to 3 Coats

Make sure your surface is clean, dry, and sanded before painting. Chalkboard paint will stick to most surfaces, even glass. Use a stain-blocking primer if you are painting knotty or oily woods.

Apply 2 to 3 coats of your DIY chalkboard paint with a good, synthetic brush to get a smooth finish. Let each coat dry for a few hours before applying the next coat.

Let the final coat of chalkboard paint cure (dry hard) for 2 to 3 days before using chalk on it.

If your dried chalkboard paint has any nibs (tiny bumps) or imperfections, you can lightly sand it with a fine grit sanding block to remove the nibs.

Or, just rub it with a brown paper bag. Brown paper bags have an extra fine grit that’s great for polishing the finish on paint. You can see me doing this in my How to Get a Smooth Finish with Chalk Paint post.

Step Four – Condition the Chalkboard

Here’s the last step, but it’s probably the most important step. You need to condition the chalkboard before using it.

Rub the side of a piece of white chalk across the entire chalkboard surface. Once it’s covered, you can wipe it off with a chalkboard eraser or a slightly damp paper towel or rag.

If you don’t condition your chalkboard before using it, it can permanently leave a bit of whatever you first write or draw on that chalkboard. You’d have to paint over that chalkboard to really get rid of that image.

That’s it for how to make chalkboard paint with latex paint and non-sanded grout. Check out my picks for the 20 Best DIY Projects Using Chalkboard Paint for some really AWESOME ideas.

If you love furniture makeovers but prefer videos, check out these DIY Furniture Makeover videos here, on my YouTube channel. 🙂

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You might also like this DIY Chalk Paint Recipe from Plaster of Paris.

New to painting furniture, check out my big tips and tricks guide for How to Paint Furniture for Beginners.

Or, how to get a smooth finish with chalk paint.

Check out this crazy before and after in How to Clean Car Seats At Home.

You might also like this DIY tutorial to whiten your ugly grout – How to Whiten Grout, the Easy Way!

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That’s it for this DIY Latex Chalkboard Paint Recipe. Let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.