Paint a Family Message Board on Your Wall

Who couldn’t use a little organization inspiration in their lives? We used Rust-Oleum’s Dry Erase Paint, Chalkboard Paint and Magnetic Primer to create a message board right on the wall. To make it look finished, we added picture frames around each section of the message.

This is an easy DIY project that can make it fun to keep your family’s schedules all in one place. Just follow our step-by-step tutorial.

How to Paint a Family Message Board on Your Wall

Supplies

• Drop Cloth
• Stir Stick
• Painter’s Tape
• Specialty Magnetic Primer
• Specialty Chalkboard Paint
• Specialty Dry Erase Paint
• Frames of various sizes
• Pencil (optional)
• Tape Measure (optional)
• Level
• Hammer
• Nails
• Paint Roller Frame
• High Density Rollers 
• Dry Erase Markers
• Chalk Markers
• Magnets

Step 1 – Trace the Frames

Our Dry Erase and Chalkboard areas will be displayed inside frames. For this project we used one large frame and two smaller frames, so we need to decide now where the frames will go, and identify the spaces we need to paint.

To mark the spaces, simply take a frame and trace the inside edge on the wall using a pencil.

Tip: Use a level to ensure your frames are straight. Do this for each frame before you trace.

Step 2 – Add Tape

Once you have traced each frame, add painter’s tape along the outside edges of your traced lines.

Step 3 – Apply Magnetic Primer

We are creating two magnetic/chalkboard surfaces. This will allow you to not only write on the surface with chalk, but you can also hang important notes and pictures using magnets on the surface!

Begin by mixing the magnetic primer thoroughly. It is important to stir the magnetic primer well and often during your project. You can also have the product shaken at the paint counter at The Home Depot. If it was not shaken at the store, stir it until the paint is a consistent dark gray color.

Once the magnetic primer has been stirred thoroughly, you are ready to apply it to your wall. Use a foam roller that is designed to give a smooth finish, and apply the primer in an up and down motion. Work the area to give the smoothest application; the smoother the surface, the stronger the magnetic attraction.

Tip: Apply three thin coats instead of two heavy coats.

Step 4 – Add Chalkboard Paint

After the magnetic primer has dried for four hours, you are ready to top coat it with your chalkboard paint! First we need to also stir the chalkboard paint. Mix it thoroughly to ensure any settled pigment is re-dispersed.

Once your product is mixed thoroughly, apply the chalkboard paint right over the dried magnetic primer. Use a good ¼-in. to ⅜-in. nap roller or a foam roller designed to give a smooth finish. Avoid excessive brushing or rolling, and use light, even stokes to ensure an even and smooth finish.

Step 5 – Add a Dry Erase Surface

To really help organize your home, add a dry erase calendar.

We are using the Rust-Oleum Dry Erase Kit. The area we are going to paint has already been outlined with tape.

The next step is stirring and mixing the Dry Erase components. First, stir Part A and Part B separately. Once each component has been stirred, pour Part A into Part B and stir until they are thoroughly mixed together.

Once that’s done, you are ready to apply the Dry Erase Coating to your wall. Apply the coating with a dense foam roller for a smoother finish.

Once all coatings have fully dried, you can hang your frames and start organizing!

Step 6 – Begin Organizing

Now that you’ve got your board on the wall, it’s time to get things organized. With the help of some dry erase markers, chalk markers, and a few magnets, you can simplify scheduling and communication to make everything run more smoothly. Enjoy!

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