How to Prime a Chalk Board

How to Prime a Chalk Board
In other words how to prepare a brand new chalk board for use. Rub a piece of chalk sideways over the entire surface. This prevents your first writing from being permanently "ghosted" onto the chalk board. This works on chalk paint, labels and slate as well.

[@bethshoaf]

Wow! I remember doing this as a kid, never knew what the process was called just knew we needed to do this.

[@vintagelyzzie]

How interesting.

[@billburscher1072]

If I may say... From what I've read, washing is not optimal. Wiping it all off with a dry rag we'll prepare the finish best for use. Just trying to help, thanks for the video!

[@vintagelyzzie]

Great point!

[@JxT1957]

which causes ghosting the most regular chalk or a marker?

[@vintagelyzzie]

Probably chalk. The marker has a special way to remove but both can do it.

[@Rosedaleb1]

Does it matter what color chalk you used to prime it?

[@vintagelyzzie]

Any color works.

[@saramommy33]

Can you use liquid chalk markers then??

[@vintagelyzzie]

No, I think it has to be normal powdery chalk.

[@danraigm]

What kind of chalkboard is this? Actual slate does not have to be primed. Was it painted wood? painted steel? Enamel or porcelain? I have even seen quite a few made out of some weird plastic....

[@vintagelyzzie]

This was an el cheap chalk board from a big box store. It is more than painted wood but not actual stone slate.

[@keshiagonzalez3134]

do i need to donthis on a magnetic chalkboard also? my brother bought me one for my bday and i love it but the chalk does nit write very well on it.. is it because of this

[@vintagelyzzie]

Hmm, I haven't used a magnetic one but it is certainly worth a try. You could try chalk markers, they write more clearly. But chalk markers don't wipe off, you have to use a cleaner or magic eraser.

[@keshiagonzalez3134]

Emily R i tried it and it WORKS!! YEEEY THANKS!!

[@vintagelyzzie]

Awesome!

[@Kimmay99]

Thank you!

[@vintagelyzzie]

You bet!

[@chasingstars5614]

After what time can I erase the chalk?

[@vintagelyzzie]

Usually after 1 min you can erase chalk.

[@tayzer11]

How often do you need to do this? Or is once, when you first use it enough.

[@vintagelyzzie]

Usually just when you first use it. If you are just wiping down the board with a chalk eraser or a damp papertowel (without soap) it cleans the surface fine but doesn't remove the priming of chalk dust that is embedded deeper in the board and which prevents the ghosting of words. If for some reason you had to use soap or rubbing alcohol on the board then re-prime.

[@phatcrayonz]

what about a white board?

[@vintagelyzzie]

White boards don't need priming. They do dry out after a few years so you can try mineral oil on them if things no longer erase.