Chalk Paint vs. Chalkboard Paint: What’s the Difference?

One of the more confusing issues that many people run into when choosing a new chalk paint is the difference between chalk and chalkboard paint.

Both certainly sound quite similar when they are first seen. And since most people grew up attending schools that used chalk on chalkboards, it may seem like there is little difference at first. But there are differences between them that you should know before choosing the right one for your project.

The basic difference between chalk paint and chalkboard paint lies in the usage and finish.

While chalk paint can be used to paint any item to get an antique matte-type chalky appearance, chalkboard paint is a kind of paint that is mainly used for making chalkboards (the flat surface to write with chalk).

This simply means, that if you want your walls and furnishings to have that vintage matt look, then use chalk paint. But if you need to write on the paint with chalk, then using chalkboard paint is a recommended option.

What follows are the descriptions of each type of paint, how they are applied, on what surfaces you can use them, and tips on choosing the one for your project.

What is Chalk Paint?

Chalk paint is a water-based, decorative coating famous for its ultra-matte, velvety finish. Created—and trademarked—by Annie Sloan, it’s often imitated but rarely matched.

Easy to use and forgiving, it’s become a go-to favorite for DIYers who enjoy quick transformations with professional flair.

Chalk paint is mostly used for modern as well as antique furnishings to help give them that vintage chalky appearance. The magic lies in its versatility as it clings to wood, metal, and more with almost no prep, no sanding, and no priming to provide that sense of aged look that is quite attractive.

You can also apply chalk paint even to surfaces such as stone, concrete, and even brick walls that have yet to be sanded smooth. This is because the texture of chalk paint is such that smoothing is not necessary under most circumstances.

In fact, this type of paint has a finish that is matte to the degree that many people think it looks like chalk.

Applying the chalk paint is pretty straightforward by following these steps…

Step 1. Prepare: To apply chalk paint you start by smoothing the surface to get rid of any loose materials such as old paint or areas that are chipped and have free particles. You do not need to sand hard to get the results you want, but it does help.

Once you are through removing all loose particles from the surface, clean it thoroughly with a cloth dampened in soapy water. Wipe the surface once again with a dampened cloth in fresh water and let it dry.

Step 2. Primer: Primer is not really required unless you are working with bare or unfinished wood or treated wood. But a primer will help to block bleeds of tannin, so you should add a single coat if you feel it.

Step 3. Paint: After two hours of letting the primer dry assuming it was needed, you are ready to paint the surface.

Stir, but do not shake the paint.

No water or thinning is needed, just put it on your brush and apply. A good synthetic brush works best but avoid nap rollers as they are not that useful. Also, keep out of direct sunlight if you can, and make sure you are painting with humidity levels lower than 85%.

Once the first coat is dry, add a second coat to complete the job. If you want to add a little touch of texture, you can add a glaze or wax to the surface of chalk paint that is already dry.

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What is Chalkboard Paint?

Chalkboard paint is as the name implies, paint that you can draw on with chalk like on a blackboard in schools.

The best thing that fascinates me about chalkboard paint is it can be used to turn any surface into a writable and erasable chalkboard, making it perfect for creative spaces, classrooms, offices, kids’ playrooms, and home decor such as glass, wood cabinets, clay pots, and many more.

Walls of your kid’s room (where your kids can scribble) or on the pantry door (to make grocery lists or notes), for example, can be good surfaces to use chalkboard paint.

I remember when I painted the wall in a cafe with chalkboard paint! The owner of the cafe actually wanted to display the menu items and prices in a way that grabbed the attention of the customer.

This type of paint comes in different colors (other than black) and can even be customized for your needs.

If you want a surface that can be drawn on with chalk, cleaned, and drawn on again, this is the paint for you. You can get green, blue, clear, and many other color options based on your interest.

How to Turn Any Surface into a Chalkboard?

Ever wished you could jot down notes, doodle, or create a stylish menu board right on your wall or furniture? With chalkboard paint and a few simple steps, you can transform almost any surface into a writable, erasable chalkboard.

Step 1. Prepare: Before applying the chalkboard paint to any wall, metal, or wood surface, you will need to clean and sand the surface gently until it is smooth. Clean it nicely with a dampened cloth and let it dry.

Step 2. Prime the surface: Add one coat of latex-based primer to ensure the paint adheres smoothly and lasts longer. Use a brush or roller to apply an even layer, covering the entire area you want to transform.

Allow the primer to dry for about two hours, or as recommended on the product label. If the surface is particularly porous or glossy, consider applying a second coat for better coverage and durability.

Step 3. Apply the paint: There are tons of products and brands out there, but my favorite and top-selling in the market include:

• Krylon Chalkboard Paint
• Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Paint
• Rainbow Chalk Markers Chalkboard Blackboard Paint

Based on your requirement (whether you want to paint wood, wall, or other craft products) you can check the detailed reviews on them and buy the product that is most likely to suit your needs.

You will want to mix the paint thoroughly, but you do not need to thin it unless you live in hot, dry conditions.

Apply the paint with a good synthetic brush, but a foam or nap roller will also work.

Although chalkboard paint is dry to the touch in about 30 minutes, it may take around 2 to 4 hours to dry completely. So, it’s best to recoat the surface after about 4 hours.

Step 4. Condition the chalkboard paint: Seasoning or conditioning a newly painted chalkboard is an important step before you can use your surface for writing.

Three days after the second coat has dried, cover the entire surface with chalk and then erase. After seven days you can clean the chalk, but the surface will have to be reconditioned once more.

Proper conditioning will ensure that the grains of the chalkboard are filled with chalk dust. This is important to write and erase the write-ups (or drawings) easily.

Step 5. Clean and store your tools: Once you are done, clean up your brushes, rollers and tray. Since most chalkboard paints are water-based latex, all you will need is soap and water to clean them up.

Gently work the bristles of your brush with your fingers to ensure all the paint is washed out. For rollers, squeeze out excess paint before washing. Once clean, let everything dry completely before storing them away.

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Can You Use Chalk Paint to Make a Chalkboard Wall?

Keep in mind that you do not want to write on chalk paint, only chalkboard paint. That is the main difference between the two.

But if you want to, you can use chalk paint for a chalkboard.

Generally speaking, if you love the look of chalk paint and still want a writable surface, you can make it work by simply applying a clear wax or a few coats of chalkboard paint over it to achieve a functional chalkboard effect. Keep in mind that the results may not be as smooth or durable as using true chalkboard paint from the start.

If you already have an old layer of chalkboard paint that looks dull and nonfunctional you can redecorate it with chalk paint or a fresh coat of blackboard paint.

But for this you want to remove blackboard paint to get rid of the chalkboard wall.

The process is easy. In fact, it will take not more than 4-5 hours to remove the paint completely and get your wall to normal again.

• Wet a cloth with warm water and wipe down the blackboard making sure you remove all the chalk residue
• Now with another clean and dry cloth, dry the board
• Once the board is completely dry, apply the primer that suits the color you want to repaint the wall
• Since the blackboard paint is usually black or green you will need to recoat the primer once again after the first coat is dried completely
• After the primer is dry, paint the blackboard wall with the paint color you want
• Make sure you apply 2-3 coats of the paint until the black or green is no longer visible.

For the best writing and drawing experience on your newly created chalkboard surface, the basic Crayola chalk is a great choice. This classic, dust-based chalk glides smoothly, making it easy to scribble, doodle, write, or shade. By simply adjusting the pressure, you can create darker or lighter tones, adding depth and creativity to your designs.

If you’re looking for more vibrant or detailed artwork, there are several alternatives to traditional chalk. Chalk ink, liquid chalk, chalk pens, and paint pens provide a bold, smudge-resistant finish.

Other options like glass pens, paint markers, bistro markers, craft markers, poster markers, and chalk markers work well too, especially for projects that require precision or a pop of color. Just make sure to check whether they are erasable or permanent, depending on your needs.

The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, chalk paint and chalkboard paint are not the same – they are different. When applied properly, both types of paints will last a long time.

However, keep in mind that the constant writing and re-writing will eventually wear down the chalkboard paint a little faster compared to chalk paint which should not be written on.

So if it’s about durability, we can say that chalk paint is more durable than as compared to chalkboard paint. But if you want a painted surface to write on, chalkboard paint is your solution.