Image Credit: Instant Chalkboard
For any of you that watch “Good Luck, Charlie” and have seen that cool fridge they have – you have seen Instant Chalkboard! No, it isn’t that paint on stuff that you can get at Hardware Stores, although I did consider purchasing that a time or two. My daughter and I read the directions on the back on one can and realized that was too hard to us DIY novices! This is peel and stick vinyl. Seriously! You just peel and stick it.
This vinyl claims to stick to most smooth surfaces to turn it into a chalkboard. That sounded cool to me – and i wanted to try it out for myself.
Now to my DIY Project! I decided to fix an old tattered cork board!
I had an old corkboard that I had purchased at a yardsale (.50) that had since started falling apart..
So, I went to the Dollar Tree and bought 2 of the foam backer boards kids use in school projects ($1 each) and 1 poster board (.50). I also purchased a 3 pack of craft glue ($1.00).
I cut the foam backer board to fit the corkboard. I also decided to keep the excess, as my daughter is going to make herself a mini chalkboard for her room with some of the extra backer board (it’s not very flimsy).
I glued the backer board to the cork board (I used 1 full container from the 3 pack) but I was not 100% sure that would hold, so my daughter and I went to Walmart and got some of the funky Duck Tape ($3.37). We applied a poster board over the seem and then the instant chalkboard over that! Having two people really helps for this as one can hold the vinyl while the other uses the yellow tool {as illustrated in the video} to smooth out the air bubbles. The vinyl peeled off the backer board and poster board easily so that we could correct our many mistakes except for one spot on the poster board. If you decide to try this project based on my directions – I advise you to skip the poster board. I thought it would cover the seam, but it left one of it’s own!
We used the colorful Duck Tape to go around the border to add some extra stability and some color. 
We used nowhere near all that comes on a roll so we have tons left for other projects! We then added 2 12×12 cork pieces from Staples {pack of 4/$5} and tape around them to make this a multi-use board! I have ladybug pushpins that match perfectly!
Here is our project! I think it is pretty good for our first time using instant chalkboard! It is a bit ripply looking but if you look back up to the picture of the backer board I chose, it is too…we were able to get all the air bubbles out with some patience. Oh, and the chalk erases really well, especially if you use a damp paper towel. And I haven’t noticed any chalk dust anywhere!
If I were you…
I would try it! It probably won’t be as smooth as a regular chalkboard, especially on your first attempt but it is way more customizable. I received a pack of 8 1×2 sheets and I only used 3 for this. I have another cork board that needs some TLC, so I know where 3 more pieces are going. Then my daughter is using one for the extra backer board I was talking about earlier and my aunt wants a piece for one of her cabinets. 4 projects!
Buy It!
Buy Instant Chalkboard from their website. It comes in rolls, sheets, and much more. They also have tons of videos and instructions on how best to utilize this craft!
Win It!
Keep a look out! A contest where one lucky Cheap Is The *New* Classy reader will win $25 to spend at Instant Chalkboard is coming up!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
About Dawn McAlexander
Twitter: coupns4urfamily
says:
This is a great idea!! Thanks for sharing:)
Wow, this looks so cool. I know the kids would love it. I just would like to know if it is removable and you can use it again on a new surface?
Very nice project. It give me inspiration to try some things on my own. Thanks!
Wow, that came out really nice! I think this is something my daughters would love too!
Really cool! Does it still scare people to scratch with your nails? or is the texture different?
i love this company! the website has some great do it yourself ideas, my kids are wanting to try some of them out.
what fun for the kids and i like the smaller versions so you can leave lists notes etc.
Great ideas. It looks like a pain to put it together but worth it. I think If I can put it on the back of my sons door that would work!
really looks like a great thing to have for the kids. could really use it myself to.
love the chalkboard vinyl and how you used the tape as a border. I got a similar effect when I redid and covered a yardsale bulliten board for my daughters room. I sprayed on aresol adhesive and covered it with fun fabric but first spraypainted the wood red. yours looks just as good and easier.
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
That sounds like a great project! Wish I could see it!
Dawn
Twitter: kimbuck
says:
I would enjoy getting an instant chalkboard for my daughter, but I think I would really screw it up. I attempted to put a sticker from daughter’s school (their logo) on my car window and the very first letter on the sticker I screwed up. If we get an instant chalkboard I will have my hubby do it.
kimbuckjr
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
Lol! Maybe you just need a little more practice! It is a lot easier to do these types of things with 2 people, too! Or you can just make the hubby do it.
Dawn
The Instant Chalkboard looks very cool! I can’t wait to try it too.
Great idea this is. I knew they had the paint on chalk board but I didnt know they had this type. This would be nice for any size that you want to do. Good for the kids as they all like to draw and it can be cleaned when their done their art work. I may have someone else do it for me as Im not a DIY erson with some things. Thanks for showing us how to do it
THE INSTANT CHALKBOARD IS PRETTY COOL
RANDY FULGHAM recently posted..http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pubid=eprizeaddthis
What an awesome idea…I have a bulletin board find from a garage sale that looks horrific, but I was going to pad it with foam and fabric…this would be so much easier, and more in line with what I want..thanks for the pointer about the poster board!
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
You’re welcome! Hope you like it!
Dawn
Looks like a fun and thrifty idea. I may have to make a board for my preschooler’s room.
That looks easy enough! I’d like to also try the paint, though!
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
We actually bought some of the paint and intend to cover my daughter’s wall. When we do it, I will try to let you know how it goes.
Dawn
Twitter: tori061157
says:
This is very informative. Thank you. Your end project looked really cute! Thank you. Vicki
Vicki Hale recently posted..Trevor says,,,
Twitter: thenewclassy
says:
Thanks!
I love this idea.
This is a great idea. Our daughter would love this