Cabinet Doors to Chalk Boards

 I have been so wanting to try making chalk boards.

Weeks ago, I picked up some cabinet doors at the flea market for a dollar.

They were all in great shape, but were all a little dusty.

I figured with a little sandpaper,

some paint,

and a coat of wax

the chalkboards would be a fun project

To knock off all the varnish and quite a bit of the color,
I attacked the cabinets with some rough 60 grit paper.

Under the slick exterior lurked what resembled a barn red.

As Fall is fast coming

and with it the Pike County Fall Color Drive,

I thought it might be nice to have some barn red chalkboards in my booth.

Amazing what you find with a little sanding.

In the center of the doors, three coats of chalk board paint were applied.

The paint was sanded with 150 grit paper in between coats.

 

After the paint was dry,

I rubbed a clear wax into the frame.

The wax made the color richer and deeper.

See my photo prop (the crate)

actually being used to prop up the board?

I love that butterfly bush.

It's been so beautiful this summer.

Want to see the difference in the frames that were waxed and unwaxed?

The difference is much more noticeable in the close up on the right.

I was quite happy with how these turned out

and made eight of them.

The total cost was about $12.

One more door still had to be given it's lick of paint.

This door was different from the others.

It was part of a pile of $2 "junk" that came home from an auction.

Originally, the intention was to paint the frame.  I was thinking to paint, distress, wax, much as has been done on my furniture lately.  After seeing the lovely wood underneath the stain, I thought a coat of stain would be a nice alternative to painting.  The stain is cherry and contrasts quite nicely with the chalkboard. 

A few of the chalk boards still new a small finishing touch,

then it's off to the next project.

I hear them calling me.