Tips needed for making chalk/ blackboard

[Paul Rollason]

Hi Frank

We have tried a couple of methods of making chalk boards.

First we got some chlkboard vinyl from Vinyl Corp this was very expensive (£12 m)and quite textured we found it hard to get vinyl to stick to this. ( the client wanted a palm tree partially covering the writable area).
Then we got some similar sfuff from KPMF direct. This was a quater of the price and less textured. Easier overlaying better all round.

WE found when overlaying vinyl onto chalkboard vinyl to use a little heat and really press the vinyl into the grain with you thumb.

We are now experimenting with blackboard sray paint from Plasti-kote http://www.spraypaint.co.uk 01223 836400 and it seens ok

Hope this helps

Paul R(Mackerelbus Design)

[fluidedge]

Last one we did was onto Dibond using blackboard spray paint from B&Q.

Works a treat.

[payads]

Cheers guys, great tips :thumbup2:
Away to make these boards tomorrow
Frank

[Paul Rollason]

Hi Chris

Have you tried applying vinyl to the blackboard painted surface?

How well does it stick?

Paul R(Mackerelbus Design)

[Robert Lambie]

i wouldnt recomend sticking vinyl to balckboard.
it will stcik initialy but if outside i the sun or in hot days the vinyl starts to curl back at the edges, then when the customer rubs off the chalk from his message below he catches the letters that have dog-eared and makes things worse. the chalk on the tacky side of the vinyl eliminates adhesions and the letters start to fall off…

[Terry Bull]

Frank
For a simple challkboard (INDOOR USE ONLY) get a piece of mdf thicker the better, cut to size
run around the edge with a router with a bullnose bit (think thats what theyre called )pop into B&Qs get ‘International’ chalkboard paint ,roller on with a foam glosser let dry then lightly sand and recoat

go on get paint on your hands–make a real sign he he

[payads]

Cheers Terry
Abount to start them, (5) Bet I’m going to end up with most of the paint on myself, here goes.
😆
Frank

[Joe Mac]

Terry’s is the way I’d make them. MDF is smooth to both paint and write on. Make sure all the board is sealed (back and front) with the paint (use the external blackbard paint if it’s to be used outdoors).

Mini rollers give an even finish, and a couple of coats hide any streaks or patches.

I bought a large tin of blackboard paint from http://www.decoratingdirect (or something similar) from a company somewhere in the UK, and it was cheaper to use this than buy tin after tin of the smaller stuff at B&Q…then I found out that the company that supplied these middlemen, TOR coatings, were based a couple of miles from me! Talk about going round the doors!

If you need pens to use on the boards, try Postermann or Illumigraph pens as these are the ones I use. They are the same pen but external and internal varieties.

I know this post is too late but i may never have the chance to contribute again!

[payads]

Thanks for the tips Joe
Went along to b&q for the paint and cut mdf to size.
Boards are up and clients likes them.
It was the first time I’ve made them and I was very surprised how easy it was, and a teriffic mark-up
Frank 😉