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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.

Image of wood painted with dark blue homemade chalkboard paint using grout and latex paint. Text says "DIY chalkboard paint".

Some links on this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. 

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

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.

Step by step photo guide to mixing and using DIY latex chalkboard paint
Straight from the package, non-sanded grout is slightly lumpy.
Step by step photo guide to mixing and using DIY latex chalkboard paint
After breaking up the non-sanded grout with a flat edge or spoon.

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.

Mixing up a dark blue DIY Latex chalkboard paint with non-sanded grout and wall paint. I used this blue chalkboard paint on these signs from old cabinet doors.

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 by step photo guide to mixing and using DIY latex chalkboard paint
Latex and non-sanded grout completely mixed. Still slightly lumpy, but the brush will work 99.9% of that out.
Step by step photo guide to mixing and using DIY latex chalkboard paint
As you brush the paint on, it smooths out.
Step by step photo guide to mixing and using DIY latex chalkboard paint
Nearly perfectly smooth. Lightly sand any tiny lumps away after the paint dries.

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.

Can you use Chalkboard Paint on Cabinet Doors? Painting cabinets with DIY Chalkboard Paint looks great & It's a fun way to organize & label what's inside the cabinet! Or, you can use it to make a pretty chalkboard calendar, weekly menu, or family schedule and to do list.
I LOVE this DIY latex chalkboard paint on the cabinet doors in my garage. It’s great for keeping track of where everything is, what DIY projects I need to work on, and it kept my boys happy when they were little and I needed to work in the garage.

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. 🙂


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

Here's the easy 3 ingredient DIY Chalk Paint Recipe I use to mix Latex Paint, water, and Plaster of Paris into beautiful furniture and decor paint. How to make homemade chalk paint, which sheen of latex paint works, what to do if chalk paint is too thick or thin, and why I love chalk paint on furniture.

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

Step by step guide for How to paint furniture for beginners, when to sand, when to prime, which paints to use, and when you need a top coat! Beginners Guide for How to Paint Furniture. Detailed explanation of each step and whether or not you can skip that step. Printable version available.

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

Follow these easy steps to get a beautiful, smooth finish with chalk paint. This is how to fix rough feeling and blotchy looking chalk paint!

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

Before and After using a Bissell Portable Cleaner on Cloth Car Seats.

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

How to Whiten Grout with a quick and easy DIY Grout Renew.

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.

Diana

Wednesday 15th of March 2017

Great tutorial Stephanie--thanks so much for sharing your creative posts with us at Vintage Charm :)

Sherry

Tuesday 7th of March 2017

Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

Michelle

Monday 6th of March 2017

Thanks so much Stephanie for clearing up all the confusion. I've been struggling to figure out why all the recipes are so different. Great post and super helpful, thank you

Stephanie

Monday 6th of March 2017

Thanks, Michelle!

Heidi

Thursday 2nd of March 2017

So cool! I love the garage cabinet doors.

Stephanie

Friday 3rd of March 2017

Thanks Heidi. Me too! It's kind of a stretch, but they remind me of the classroom Indiana Jones taught in during the first movie. And it never hurts to be reminded of Harrison Ford. ;)

Jennifer Gainer

Thursday 2nd of March 2017

It seems like a great chalk paint recipe I can't wait to try it out!!!!

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