Add Magnetic Strips to Chalkboards
The refrigerator is the message center in most homes. Covered with notices, art work and other reminders, it is a scrapbook in progress, documenting the life of the family. But what do you do when this vital communication center becomes so crowded that it becomes a source of confusion? A magnetic chalkboard can become the new destination for completed art work and projects in progress. It can develop into a dynamic portfolio of family life and progress. Follow these steps to create one for your family.
Instructions
Magnetic Paint
1. Remove the frame from your chalkboard, if it has one. Sand the chalkboard with coarse grade sandpaper. Keep in mind that paint adheres far better to a rough surface than to a smooth one. Brush away any grit. Lay the chalkboard on a plastic drop cloth.
2. Decide how much of the chalkboard you wish to magnetize. Paint in strips, at the top, bottom and sides of the chalkboard to make a magnetic "frame." Alternately, you could paint horizontal strips with an inch or two of non-magnetic strips between. Paint several layers, allowing it to dry for 24 hours between each, until you have the level of magnetism you need. Test by placing magnets of various strengths on the board to see how well they stick. This is especially important if you plan to use magnetic cup hooks or magnetized trays.
3. Cover the magnetic paint layers with two or three layers of chalkboard paint to restore the original surface. Allow it to dry for 24 to 48 hours before using. Use your new magnetic chalkboard to lay out scrapbook pages, create tri-fold displays for science fairs and 4-H projects, or to document your child's work for a portfolio.
Strip Magnets
4. Prepare the chalkboard as before by sanding the surface with coarse grade sandpaper and brushing away the dust. Follow by sanding it with fine grain sandpaper. Repaint the surface with two to four layers of chalkboard paint, and allow it to dry for 24 hours between layers.
5. Unroll the strip magnets and cut to the length and width of your chalkboard. Miter the strips so that they meet neatly at the corners of your chalkboard. Outline the edges of the board with these strip magnets like a picture frame, attaching them with instant adhesive.
6. Add horizontal rows of strip magnets across your chalkboard. Attach additional strip magnets to a piece of grooved crown molding cut to the length of your chalkboard, making a chalk tray. Allow the instant adhesive to dry for a half hour or longer before using trays.
7. Decorate your chalkboard for every change of season. Attach magnets to leaves, pine cones and sycamore balls that have been spray painted to match your season's theme. Take photographs each time you change your board's theme.
8. Experiment with magnetic letters and numbers, and poetry slam magnets. Have younger children hunt for the letters of their names. Older children can use the letters to write free form poetry or stories.
Tags: your chalkboard, strip magnets, before using, chalkboard paint, coarse grade, coarse grade sandpaper
