Last year, I shared an easy tutorial about how to paint the existing glass in frames and turn them into beautiful chalkboards. I mainly focused on smaller frames like those for the counter and small wall frames:
My obsession fascination with making my own chalkboards has grown from the smaller frames into the larger frames, thanks to inspiring images like these that I keep running across on Pinterest:
Source” Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss
Source: House and Home
Source: French Country Cottage
Chalkboards continue to be really popular and I love how they are being incorporated into home decor in some really unique {and beautiful} ways. I especially love them with a handwritten quote or drawings/art. There are so many possibilities and making them is so easy whether using a new or old frame. I just love how the contrasting black of the chalkboard looks with an elegant frame.
So I thought I would share the instructions again for how to paint glass with chalkboard paint and I’ve added a few updates. If you too are inspired by some of the larger frames, this technique will work on the smallest, to the largest size frames. Also, you can paint the particle board frame backing as well using the same technique! Just flip the glass and the backing and push down the metal holders over the glass.
So let’s jump right into the instructions.
1) Take your existing frame and glass and remove the glass. Please be careful, the sides of frame glass are unfinished and are very sharp:
2) With an oven mitt on your hand to protect from being cut, clean your glass with glass cleaner or alcohol.
3) Lay your glass flat outside on a flat surface that you can paint on without having to lift up the glass and spray with any kind of spray primer that says it will work on glass. I use Rustoleum Professional Spray Primer:
4) The primer must completely dry otherwise the chalkboard paint will not work.
5) I used Valspar’s Chalkboard Paint and stirred up the paint really good and applied my first coat of chalkboard paint using a wide foam brush. Chalkboard paint goes on really uneven and you may even think something is wrong. No worries, the trick is to try and just get a thin coat of paint on the glass going in one direction:
***Update*** Spray chalkboard paint works great and is sold at most craft stores. However, it’s very expensive and runs about $11.00 a can!
6) You will need to let your first coat of paint dry completely. It works faster if you do this in the sun. Then you can apply your second coat in the opposite direction of your first brush stroke. Again, the chalkboard paint does not go on very evenly but believe me, it will smooth out and dry evenly as you can see in my picture below taken right after my second coat:
After your second coat of paint dries, you will be amazed at how it magically evens out and transforms into a smooth chalkboard. I do like to add a third coat for extra measure and then let it dry:
7) When the paint is completely dry, just insert the glass and cardboard piece behind the glass back into your frame and you are in business:
Pinterest is an excellent source for inspiration on your quotes or designs. You may already have a special quote or design in mind, or if you need a little more help, you can check out my Pinterest “Words” Board for some suggestions. I also have a few more chalkboards on my Pinterest “Wall Decor” Board if you’re looking for more inspiration or chalkboard ideas!
I hope you have a great rest of the week and I’ll be back for Friday Favorites. If you missed last week’s Friday Favorites “DIY’ers Bang for the Buck {and Effort} Projects”, you can click the image below for the link:
Cheers!!
Cyndy
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Yvonne @ StoneGable says
This is a fabulous idea! I have seen tutorials that have us cutting and spraying a board to put in the frame!
I love the idea of spraying the GLASS! Great and easy to follow directions! I have 2 frames to turn into chalkboards right now… just need the spray primer!
Your project would be perfect to share at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS, my new weekly linky party! It is live every Wednesday evening at 8:00. Come on over and join in!
Cyndy says
Thank you Yvonne! I’m so glad that you can use the project. It really is amazing and works perfectly every time! I will link up tomorrow at your Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at 8:00 PM! Thank you!
Cyndy
Caroline says
I love this idea!! Thank you for sharing how to make them!
(I am from new Zealand and love your blog!)
Cyndy says
Thank you so much Caroline! Wow, you’re from New Zealand! It’s always so fun to me to hear where readers are from! New Zealand is high up on my bucket list and hopefully I’ll make it there one day. Thank you so much for leaving me such a sweet note Caroline and I’m thrilled that you enjoy my blog!
Cheers to my New Zealand friend!
Cyndy
Leslie says
Thank you for posting this really fabulous idea…can’t wait to try it. I’m thinking this will be a wonderful girlfriends gift and Christmas gift for the fam!!
What is the average drying time between the primer coat and each coat of chalkboard paint?? Thanks!!!
Cyndy says
Thank you Leslie! The drying time depends on where you do it. If you paint and dry it in the sun, I would say 45 minutes but if not I would say two hours. Yes, they are fun gifts and I wrote Merry Christmas on several of them and wrapped them in cellophane for gifts. I also gave a package of chalk with it. Thanks so much Leslie for stopping by!
Cyndy
becky mercado says
I do a lot of these chalkboards for my Etsy Shop and craft fairs. I grab cool frames whenever I can at thrift stores. $11 is a lot of money…Home Depot has the spray cans for like $5 or $6 . I assume you’ve tried both spray and brush on. Which do you think works best? Have you used the chalk pens? I love the way they look, but if you don’t erase them fairly quickly they are much harder to get off. Have you found that to be true?
Donna Evans says
I just came across your website actually looking for something else, fell in love w/this idea and can’t wait to make gifts out of the many frames I have collected over the years.
Cyndy says
Thank you Donna! I’m so glad that you stopped by and like the chalkboards! I hope you give it a try! Cyndy
Anita says
Hello from Calgary, Alberta. Just found your blog via Under the Table and Dreaming. Love this idea of painting on glass. I have recently painted a very large chalkboard and love writing quotes. I have a couple of ugly frames with the glass and will most certainly spray the glass. Thanks! I am subscribing to your emails!!!
BonitaLolita says
What to use if you found a great old wood frame with no glass??? That’s what I’ve been finding. I love the old “vintage” frames, scratches and all, but if there’s no glass, what can I use to replace it? I don’t want to buy a new piece of glass, as it defeats my purpose, any ideas???
Chelsey says
I am always looking at thrift stores for frames, I buy pretty much any frame under $3 that has glass and/or the cardboard back with the stand. It’s easy to find really ugly frames for really cheap and just take out the glass and the back. Most frames are pretty standard sizes and you can easily mix and match! Good luck
Tabitha says
I made some of these and they look great. I used the spray can chalkboard paint. I am wondering if I did something wrong though. When I use chalk to write a message, it doesn’t wipe away very well. It leaves a light remnant of the quote/phrase I wrote. Any ideas as to why it would do that?
Thank you!!
Chanel Zukowski says
Hi! Just came across your blog. I painted a whole wall with chalkboard paint. Just painted my second coat on and it looks like it’s drying really shiny in some areas and staying dull/chalkboard like in others. 🙁 will it even out maybe after a day or so? Or after I “prime” with chalk? Thank you!