DIY Network

Writing Tablet Signs Express yourself with this giant faux chalkboard. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-205

Get the message out with this clever chalkboard signage.

Creative people are always getting new ideas—and this project from Michele Beschen gives you a way to express and even update your inspirations.

The B. Original host shows how to make an updatable sign—actually a giant faux chalkboard—from aluminum siding and chalkboard paint. This fun and easy signage project is based on young children's writing tablets and the tablet-striped chalkboards where many of us learned our ABCs. You may want to create a second one for the kids, giving them a place where it's OK to write on the wall.

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Writing Tablet Signage

Materials:

aluminum siding
heavy leather gloves
tin snips or shears
file/sandpaper
spray-on chalkboard paint or enamel paint
brush-on chalkboard paint or enamel paint
chalk or vinyl letters
drill
coated decking screws

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Cut the siding to size using heavy-duty tin snips or shears (figure A). If you have access to air shears, they would make the job a snap.

  Safety Alert: Always wear heavy leather gloves when cutting or working with cut pieces of siding; the edges can be very sharp. Also, use extreme caution if you use air shears or similar power tools. They cut through the siding easily, which means they can cut through you easily as well.

• After cutting the siding, use a file or sandpaper to sand down the sharp edges. You also can soften the edges—and create a border at the same time—by covering them with colored duct tape.

• Spray on chalkboard paint to make the metal look more like a writing tablet (figure B). This also will allow you to change out what's written on the sign. As another option, you could paint with regular enamel paint and use vinyl lettering that you can peel off later. Whichever paint you choose, give the entire piece two coats.

• Use a brush-on chalkboard paint to add lines to the sign (figure C). Use a color that will give you a nice contrast with the metal. Use the existing sections I the siding as a guide, tape off the areas for the lines and dashes, and apply a two coats of paint for even coverage.

• Let the paint dry fully. This may take a couple of days.

• Once the paint is all cured, season it with a good dusting of chalk. Attach it to any exterior wall or wooden fence with coated decking screws, and you can display your words of wisdom for all to see.