How to Make a Chalkboard Black Again

After years of use, a black chalkboard takes on a layer of chalk residue you just can't remove with a felt eraser or a damp rag. You can renew the old blackboard, though, with a coat of specially designed spray paint. Available at home-improvement warehouses and hardware stores, chalkboard paint can provide a fresh, clean and black surface for students to practice spelling and math in class or for parents to keep track of appointments at home.

Things You'll Need

• Chalkboard
• Sponge
• Dish soap
• Painter's tape
• Chalkboard paint

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Scrub the chalkboard with a sponge soaked in a solution of water and dish soap. This removes as much of the old chalk residue as possible. Allow the board to dry completely.

   • 2

     Cover the chalkboard's frame with painter's tape to prevent damage from overspray.

   • 3

     Shake the can of chalkboard paint and spray an even layer over the entire surface. Allow the paint to dry and repeat as necessary until the surface returns to a like-new, black appearance.