Chalkboard paint is a popular way to add a unique touch to any room but it’s annoying when the paint falls off, wear & tear, and requires re-painting. And, here comes the point of sealing the paint.
So, if you’re new to the painting world and ask ‘do I have to seal chalkboard paint or is there a way to skip the step?’ Here’s your answer.
You don’t have to seal chalkboard paint but you’ll get the best result by sealing it. Sealing chalkboard paint makes it more durable and last longer. If you apply chalk paint and don’t seal it, the paint might chip and fall off quicker than when you seal it. So, sealing, in the long run, saves you from spending time and money on repainting a single surface.
If things seem puzzling, don’t worry, keep reading the piece to know the details.
Do You Need to Seal Chalkboard Paint?
It’s not a must to seal chalk paint, but we highly recommend sealing the paint as it protects the paint and extends its shelf-life.
Chalkboard paint is porous and will absorb anything that it comes into contact with. This includes dirt, grime, and even the occasional chalk dust. Sealing creates a barrier that will protect the chalkboard paint from the elements and will help it last for years.
Although chalk paint offers you a lot of benefits, the paint tends to chip and flake quite easily. And, it happens more frequently with surfaces of high contact pieces like tables and chairs.
However, you can solve the issue using a sealer because it provides the desired protection and keeps the paint from flaking when you draw with chalk markers and then erase it.
Another reason why you should seal chalk paint is that it will save you time.
High-traffic areas require repainting quite often if you don’t seal the chalk paint. Sealing prevents falling off the paint, so, isn’t it better to save your time by sweeping up flecks of chalk paint?
Pros and Cons of Sealing Chalkboard Paint
By now, you’ve known the facts regarding sealing chalk paint and most of the words are positive. But is sealing all about good stuff or is there any reason to not seal chalk paint?
You guessed it right. There are both pros and cons of sealing chalk paint. Let’s talk about them in detail.
Pros of Sealing Chalk Paint
- Sealing makes the paint resistant to weather conditions so you can use chalk-painted furniture outdoors as well.
- It makes the painted furniture to be suitable for daily use.
- The painted surface can withstand wear and tear.
- Sealing can add a glossier finish to your chalk paint.
- Sealing makes the paint last longer by adding a layer of protection over the paint.
Cons of Sealing Chalk Paint
- Because of the added glossy finish, the sealed and painted surface may lack its unique chalky finish (which you might or might not like).
- Since chalk paint is very porous, sealers can leach tannins out of the wood sometimes. Eventually, there might be the appearance of light discolored spots on the painted surface. However, this is a rare case but worth mentioning.
- Adding a top coat will take more money (however, you don’t have to invest in repainting frequently, so you’re saving money in the long run).
How Do You Seal Chalkboard Paint?
There are several ways you can seal your chalkboard paint, but the most common is to use a clear acrylic spray sealer. Krylon’s Crystal Clear Acrylic Spray is a quality product. To have a matte finish, use Aleene’s Spray Acrylic Sealer Matte Finish. Whichever method you choose, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and always test in an inconspicuous area first before proceeding with the entire project.
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Sealing Application:
- Spray two coats of clear acrylic sealer over your dried chalkboard paint and allow it to dry past the point of feeling tacky.
- Finish by spraying two more layers and let it dry completely.
- You should end up with a smooth chalkboard that you can write on with chalk and erase easily. When sealing over the top of your chalk art, a single spray coat is usually enough to keep it from getting erased.
How Do You Use Chalkboard Paint?
Chalkboard paint is a type of paint that can be used to create a chalkboard surface on a wall or other surface. Chalkboard paint is usually black or green but can be found in other colors as well. To use chalkboard paint, you will first need to prime the surface with a primer designed for use with chalkboard paint.
Once the primer has been applied, you can then apply the chalkboard paint in thin coats until you have achieved the desired coverage. When applying chalkboard paint, it is important to allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next coat. Once the final coat of chalkboard paint has dried, you will need to condition the surface by rubbing it down with a piece of chalk. This will help to create an even surface for writing on with chalk and to erase clearly. After conditioning the surface, you can then start using it as a regular chalkboard!
Wrapping Up
And, now you know whether it’s mandatory to seal chalkboard paint or not. The fact is, sealing helps chalkboard paint be more durable and last longer. It also saves you money in the long run since you don’t have to repaint frequently because of the peeling of chalk paint.
Still, things are up to you. You can make a final decision according to your preference. Hopefully, you’ll choose the right path. Good luck!