The chalkboard paint craze is sweeping across many DIY enthusiasts. Everyone would like to revamp their walls, liven up their furniture, countertops and other surfaces. It's not surprising that the demand for paint products is on a steep rise, with so many brands selling the same.
The best chalkboard paints allow you to transform a plain surface to a drawing tab or writing pad.
Without a doubt, a chalkboard paint creates easy-to-write-on surfaces. It's mainly a blend of water, carbon black, esters, glycol, talc, titanium dioxide, pacifiers, acrylic and silica. Users apply this product directly to wood surfaces, plastic, and metal. Quite often, there's no need for priming before application.
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Best Chalkboard Paints
Let's face it; many brands sell chalkboard paints. It can be difficult deciding on the best option that will give you value and create satisfactory results. In our review, we have put together 11 best chalkboard paints in 2020 to ease your selection process. Keep reading.
1. Rust-Oleum 206540 Chalkboard Paint
Do you want to paint your walls, or do you envision having an elegantly scripted wall with favorite quotes, adorable drawings of memorable verses? You need sleek, non-smelling, gentle and high-quality paint.
You may consider, Rust-Oleum, which is one of the best chalkboard paints for walls and a versatile product that you can use for several applications. For instance, you can use it on wood, plaster, metal, paperboard, drywall, concrete, hardboard, glass, and other surfaces.
Unlike some paints requiring priming before application, the Rust-Oleum consists of oil as the main component, making it ideal for hard surfaces.
This formula is a good value and covers a large area of 95x120 square feet. Additionally, you don't have to wait for it to dry to embark on your project. Upon application, it'll only take up to thirty minutes.
After that, it creates a smooth and durable surface free of scratches or warping. Additionally, it’s easy to erase, and this ensures a clean working environment.
Fair warning, it's advisable to wait for at least twenty-four hours before you start working on your surface, and this will give better results.
Cleaning is easy, and you can use soap and water for a quick cleanup. This paint goes down as high-quality full-in-coat paint, which means that one application is more than enough.
Overall, you'll be happy with the results.
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2. American Crafts- DIY Paint
Do you want to give your walls or surface a facelift? Premium chalkboard paint will do the trick. Such a paint product needs to be easy to use, smooth and clean.
The American Crafts is a top contender for the best chalkboard paint for chalk markers in terms of quality and performance. It's super easy to apply, and you can even use a soft sponge.
Some cheap chalkboard paints are watery and runny, but not so with the American quality products. The product is amazingly thick and can handle many projects at a go. Indeed, it can go with just one coat and hence you'll have more than enough for your projects.
Best of all, the presentation is great, with a well-built container it leaves no chance for mess and storage of leftover paint.
Another thing to add about this chalkboard paint is its multi-use and ability to work on almost everything from wood, paper mache, metal, and plastic to paper. If you have small kids, they'll enjoy playing around with it without staining their skin or clothes.
This chalkboard is perfect for different crafts and will blend with lots of things. Lastly, it's easy to clean, and you'll be amazed at how it peels off easily.Pros
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3. Krylon-K05223000 Paint
Krylon Paint is one of the best chalkboard paints for wood. It's among the finest products on the market, and several things set this unit apart from other similar options.
For starters, it comes in an impressive package that will look good amongst your DIY items.
With this paint, you can write messages on different occasions. Upon application, you can get a little creative by writing messages, drawing, and when done, you can erase. It's a fun way, especially if you got kids around.
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As a versatile product, you can use it on different surfaces. It doesn't look crummy on surfaces, and this makes it ideal for paper, walls, wood, and other surfaces. On the same note, this product is ideal for placements, lunch sacks, cards, kitchen walls and more.
For the price, the Krylon paint comes around as a high-quality product and true to this statement; it has a long-lasting effect on surfaces. The application is fairly easy and will create a durable finish on any surface.
Fair enough, for the results to be satisfactory, you can leave it for twenty-four hours before you start drawing or writing. After that, you'll be amazed at how easy its use is. For example, you can change messages to something different depending on the occasion.
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4. Kedules Paint Kit
Although some brands may sell paints at low prices, you might spend more by buying extra accessories like brushes. The Kedules kit is the best chalkboard paint for the money.
It comes in an all-inclusive package that consists of an 8oz jar of paint and three soft brushes. You also get a variety of colors to choose for your kids' fun activities as they make colorful drawings.
The first thing that comes into mind when buying chalkboard paint is quality. Luckily, Kedules has quicker drying and repainting compared to other products.
Even better, the paint is water based, yet it sticks on surfaces on repeated use. Upon completing your project, just erase with a clean cloth and get creating again.
Additionally, it's versatile and has several usages on different surfaces. You can use this paint on wood, metal, paper and more. Further, you can also decorate pieces of furniture, label jars, write messages on menu boards, and create different atmosphere for kids' parties.
The application process is easy, and when using the soft brush, you'll get a clean job within no time. Of course, it comes with instructions of use, and this makes the process easy and straightforward.
When it comes to safety concerns, this product is non-toxic and doesn't contain harmful chemicals.
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5. Folk Art Chalkboard Paint
The Folk Art Paint comes at an unbelievably low price; yet it’s a high-quality option that will give you value for money.
Firstly, it's packed in a convenient 8 oz. container that lets you use directly without the need to change to a different jar which is , indeed, wide-mouthed and can fit a small soft brush.
We like the versatility of this chalkboard paint. You can use it to decorate furniture, kids' gifts, party flavors and more. Also, it's suitable for using on different surfaces such as walls, paper, and plastic(However, you can opt for the best paints for plastic in this case).
The colour selection is pretty expansive, and you'll have a great variety of options to get creative. Accordingly, the paint is of exceptional quality with a rich cream that offers consistency in creating perfect blends and shades.
The kit also includes different finishes for using outdoors, on multi-surface and enamel. You can also get tools, stencils, and brushes from Folk Art to go along with the paint for that elegant appeal.
Something else to add is that the cleanup is easy. Your child will be thrilled trying different drawing patterns, erasing, and redoing all over again.
One coating is enough; however, for better results, you can add two coats and leave for twenty-four hours before you get creative with drawings and writings.
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6. Rust-Oleum Spray Paint
This is a renowned brand when it comes to quality products. Their chalkboard paint is one of the best in the market and is ideal for creating decorations on all kinds on surfaces.
It's a multi-use product that's made specifically for interior decoration. The chalkboard is versatile, and it is suitable on various surfaces such as hardwood, paperboard, masonry, wood, glass, metal, plaster, concrete, drywall and more. The unit also works great on furniture while creating an elegant surface.
Another thing is that it’s oil-based and creates a smooth surface where you can write messages or draw patterns.
Unlike other chalkboard paints that come in a jar or a container, Rust-Oleum is packed in a spray container, making it incredibly easy to use. With this kind of packaging, you don't need a soft brush or even a sponge to apply.
You'll get the highest value with this kit since it can cover a maximum of 7 square feet. Moreover, you can store the remainder for future use. The paint dries fast, within twenty minutes. Likewise, it creates a smooth surface that doesn't get scratched under any conditions.
Also, it's easy to erase without staining the walls or clothes. Thus, kids will have fun drawing, erasing, and starting all over again.
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7. Rustoleum 206540 Paint
If you're looking to up cycle your furniture, you can consider modern chalk paint to achieve elegance and professional appeal. We recommend Rustoleum-206540 Paint for your indoor and outdoor painting, drawing, and writing.
This paint comes in a generously sized 30oz container with a wide mouth that makes application super easy. It's available in black colour, and this gives you the flexibility of use. The product covers a large surface up to 125 square feet.
In the package, you'll also receive a chalkboard brush for using on your project. This not only saves you money but also time since you won't make a return trip to the hardware store.
Rustoleum is a high-quality paint that dries very fast and is scratch-free. It holds pretty well on surfaces for repeated projects. Upon completion, just wipe off and start all over.
It's a fun activity, especially for kids, to try different creative styles. Additionally, it's versatile, and you can use on wood, plaster, concrete, metal, terra cotta, drywall and more.[Herein, the best spackle for drywall reviews for you].
Rustoleum will transform your surfaces, be it walls, cabinets or tables into chalkboard surfaces.
Unlike some options that have a characteristic chemical smell, this product is odorless and hence safe for indoor use. Cleaning is easy as you'll only need water and soap for a quick clean up.
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8. Krylon-K05223000 Paint
If you're looking for a chalkboard paint that works like a charm, Krylon-Ko5223000 is a sure bet. We recommend it for updating your walls, countertops, furniture, and other surfaces. Indeed, this unit will turn your surfaces into chalkboards and allow your creativity to take shape.
This chalkboard paint is multi-purpose as it can be used on different surfaces like wood, canvas, metal, ceramic, plastic and more. Also, it has a low odor and is absolutely safe for use by everyone at home, including kids.
Krylon chalkboard paint is suitable for non-porous materials and is only to be used for indoor applications. This makes it ideal for utilizing at home, schools, hotels, and other establishments. It has the best quality that doesn't peel off after application.
There's no need to worry about messes since the paint cleans easily and efficiently with water and mild soap. Additionally, it dries within a short while, and just one coat is sufficient.
A package of two chalkboard paints is enough to cover a surface of a maximum of 180 square feet. Therefore, it's of great value since you can use it for several projects.
With this chalkboard, you can create a restaurant menu, decorate walls for kids, use for educational needs, decorate countertops and tabletops. For application purposes, you can use a smooth brush or a sponge.
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9. Rainbow Paint
Rainbow Chalkboard Paint is the next product in our selection list. This product comes with everything to deliver an impressive paint job. It turns old, worn out and withered blackboards into new surfaces where you can write messages or draw images and patterns.
Just like the name suggests, this product allows you to try out different colors on your board and make custom made designs that will blend with your theme.
That's not all; Rainbow paint has a stunning black appeal that offers a fine and smooth finish. However, for better results, it's advisable to paint on a porous background to prevent breaking the chalk.
This unit is versatile for both interior use and outdoor painting. For this reason, you can use it on wood, plasterboard, glass, dry wood, cement, metal and more. One application is enough on any surface, and the outcome is a smooth finish for your project.
The paint dries in fifteen minutes; however, you should leave it overnight before you start drawing or writing your messages. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to apply the paint using a roller or a soft brush. Also, cleanup is easy with just water and soap.
To conclude, the paint is water based and consists of a non-toxic and non-inflammable compound, and this takes care of your safety concerns.
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10. Folk Art Paint-2725 Black
Do you want your kid to draw or write in a creative way? Probably add some flavor to the bedroom walls or even spice up your kitchen counter?
Without a doubt, Folk Art products are some of the best we have on the market. Besides the incredibly low price, the paint is high quality and smooth with a long-lasting finish.
The paint mixture is black in color, and this gives you a flurry of options to try out different designs and writings. It's highly versatile on different surfaces such as wood, canvas, plastic, metal, concrete and more.
This chalkboard has a matte finish and creates a smooth surface where you can carry out your arts. Additionally, it dries fast and will only take a few minutes after application. However, for more fulfilling results, you can apply in the evening and allow it to stay overnight.
The best part of this paint is that it's easy to clean with water and soap. It doesn't leave a messy surface and doesn't stick to clothes or surfaces. If you have kids around, they'll have fun writing and drawing.
Lastly, you'll only need a single layer or coating, and as for the remaining paint, you can store in a cool, dry place for future use.
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11. DecoArt- DS90-62 Americana Paint
Whether you like to draw beautiful art in your room or write a menu for your restaurant, the quality of the chalkboard paint is a major consideration. For this reason, DecoArt paint comes to our mind as a high quality and reliable product for your indoors and outdoors projects.
The product is non-toxic, and hence it's safe to use at home environment where kids are involved. Thus, it's suitable for playrooms and children's rooms.
It's also a multi-purpose paint product that you can use on walls, paper mache, wood, pasteboard, canvas, terra cotta, concrete, and other surfaces. For impressive results on wood and other rough surfaces, you may prime or sand.
The application process is easy since the paint is water-based. You can use a soft brush or sponge to apply on surfaces. Unlike some paints are stubborn on surfaces, this product is easy to clean, and you can repaint as many times as possible.
Get a little creative on cabinets, kitchen tops, tables and more with DecoArt paint since it holds well on surfaces and doesn't peel off easily.
It's a non-flammable product since it's water-based, and thus, there's no need to worry about it catching fire.
Although the container is not user-friendly due to the tube-like design, the quality of the paint is amazingly smooth to deliver an elegant appearance on surfaces.
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What to Look for Before You Buy?
There are several brands out there that sell chalkboard paints. Unfortunately, it can get overwhelming, choosing the best option that will give fulfilling results.
There are a few things to look for when deciding on your best option.
Quality
High-quality chalkboard paint will have a long-lasting finish that's not easy to scratch. Upon application on surfaces, it should produce a smooth cover that will endure several writings and drawings.
Also, when trying out different chalks, everything should be clear and legible. You can try wax for chalk paints to make the stuff speak for itself.
Ease of Application
Quite often, the chalkboard kit comes with a soft brush or a roller for application. In the absence of this, you can get a brush from your local hardware or use a soft sponge. Herein, you may also check out this article on the best brush for chalk paint. You should be able to easily apply the selected product on various surfaces.
Easy to Clean
You could be holding a birthday party for your child and would like temporary chalkboard paint for him/her to indulge. In this case, pick a product that is easy to clean with just water and soap. Alternatively, something that's easy to wipe off or erase for the next activity.
Non-toxic and Non-flammable
Most people fear trying out paint products due to the chemical composition of the ingredients. Additionally, parents are skeptical about their kids being exposed to paint products. Before you part with your money, check out the label to be sure the product is safe and non-toxic. Also, non-flammable paint is ideal to use at home.
Versatility
Most of the products in our review list are for outdoor or indoor applications. Some are suitable for interior and exterior use. Versatile chalkboard paint will give you real value since it gives you the flexibility to apply on various surfaces such as wood, metal, furniture, cement and more.
Also Read: Chalk Lines Expert Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best chalkboard paint for painting walls?
There are several options to consider. For wall painting, you can choose an oil-based solution that will apply easily on the surface to create a smooth and elegant appeal. Also, scratch-free paint makes a good option for painting walls.
Between water-based and Oil based chalkboard paint, which is the best for a kids' party?
For a kid's party, we highly recommend water based solution since it's easy to clean and doesn't stain surfaces and clothes. The children will have fun without you having to worry about the mess.
How long should I wait after applying chalkboard paint on surfaces?
From our list, we chose products that dry very fast. Some paint solutions will dry within 30 minutes, after which you can start getting creative with your writings and drawings. However, for good results, it's always advisable to wait 24 hours for the paint to completely dry.
Is spray chalkboard paint more expensive than ordinary paint?
The cost of chalkboard paint depends on so many things, quality being the top-most. However, the presentation of a product can also lead to a high price.
There's no question as to whether spray paints are easy to use when compared to the jar paints. Of course, you won't need a brush or a roller. Therefore, they may be pricey.
Conclusion
There you have it; our review of the 11 best chalkboard paints has some valuable insights on the best product for your project. The products rate well when it comes to ease of drying, finish, quantity, eases of application and cleanup. Hopefully, you can now pick the best one off the shelf without a second thought.