If you’re looking for a fast, simple beginner’s tutorial on painting cornhole boards this is for you.
If you follow along on INSTAGRAM you’ll see I am a multi-tasking mama who is currently remodeling a Mediterranean home in the foothills of Ventura County. With so much to do I have become the shortcut queen. Time is money people! We gotta work smarter not harder. 🙂
This tutorial allows you to work in steps so when the paint is drying you can easily return to whatever else it is you’re supposed to be doing. So even if this project takes a day to complete its not like you’re actually working on it all day… know what I mean? I’ve included a video tutorial here as well. Enjoy and happy painting!
For a super easy color block wall tutorial check out my post!
Video tutorial for painting cornhole boards
HOW TO PAINT CORNHOLE BOARDS: STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
And now on to what you’re all really here for… the easy steps for painting cornhole boards!
At the bottom of this post I’ve included an image you can easily save to your photos for a quick reference!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- two wooden cornhole boards
- Frog tape .94 inch
- Ruler
- Protective paper
- Painters masking tape
- 1 can Rustoleum spray paint primer
- 1 can Rustoleum spray paint for wood in color of choice. Paint tray
- Gray paint
- 1 roller
- foam nap for roller if it didn’t come with one
- sealer- I linked one here
- sandpaper
DIRECTIONS FOR PAINTING CORNHOLE BOARDS:
1. Place drop cloth or protective covering on the floor where you will be painting your boards and be sure to paint in a covered well ventilated area.
2. Lightly sand your boards if they haven’t been sanded yet. Be sure to wipe off with a clean lint free cloth after.
3. Use your ruler to measure the diameter of your circle. Place a mark in pencil on the bottom middle part of your circle. This will be where you start with your Frog tape. I used the .94 inch to get the desired width I wanted for my stripe.
4. Tape the top right edge of your Frog tape down on the left side of your pencil mark and tape diagonally down on your board until you reach the bottom left corner. Place the outside edge of the RIGHT side of the tape on the point of your corner. Press tape down firmly securing all edges. Repeat this step on the right side of the cornhole board in the exact same way using the left edge of the Frog tape as your guide.
5. Unroll protective painters paper and tape down on top of the Frog tape. Be sure to cover everything outside of the triangle. Tape down as needed to prevent any overspray from your spray paint leaking to that side.
6. Now you’re ready to paint! Shake your can of primer spray paint for at least two minutes. Flip upside down and spray a couple quick sprays to be sure the nozzle is clear. Step back at least 8-12 inches and spray light coats moving in a quick back and forth motion. Once your first layer is on repeat on the other board. Because this is unfinished wood you can bet the primer soaks in real quick so return to the first board and repeat. Do the same with the second board until you have two even coats of primer. Let dry for at least 1 hr.
7. Once primer has set now you’re ready for 
9. Select your color of choice. I used a beautiful gray paint called Storm from Benjamin Moore. In my video the color says Turbo from Sherwin Williams, but I think that was just a color match our painters did when they used it to paint our kitchen cabinets. Its the perfect warm gray and covers beautifully. Be sure to use your paint stick and stir for at least two minutes.
10. Once paint has been stirred pour into your tray. Tap your roller into the paint and roll along the tray’s slope so that the paint can be applied evenly to the roller. Repeat this step a couple times before applying the paint to the board.
11. Now it’s time to roll on your color! Gently press down and roll on using a V formation. Go back and forth carefully and gradually overlapping the paint until you see a uniform application. Repeat this on the other board as well. Let dry for at least 1 hr and then repeat this entire step. You will need at least two coats.
13. Now its time to pull off that Frog tape! Be sure to pull up gently at an upright angle in a slow steady motion. You don’t want your paint grabbing.
14. Let dry overnight and then you’re ready to seal. There are a lot of great sealers out there. I linked this fast-drying one from Miniwax here. Be sure to get one for painted wood. Apply three coats. Give a light sand and wipe the surface clean between each dry coat. (Every 4-6 hours)
15. All done! Enjoy your custom cornhole game! You’ll be the hit of the party!
FREE DOWNLOAD – Beginner Tutorial for Painted Cornhole Game
Such a great tutorial Laurie! The DIY cornhole is beautiful! I love your how you painted it too:-)