How to Snap a Chalk Line for Painting Wall Stripes

Question:

I want to paint 3 diagonal wall stripes on the accent wall in my living room, so I bought a chalk line - but I am not sure how to use it.

Answer:

To snap a chalk line longer than 3 feet, you'll need a partner.

One person should hold the chalk box on the mark at one edge of the wall, while the other stretches the string to the mark at the opposite edge and holds it taut.



One of you should reach toward the center, pinch the taut string away from the surface (don't lift it too much) and then release it.



It will leave a straight, powdery line between the marks.



To snap really long lines, you'll need to put another mark in the middle of the wall and use three people - two will hold the string at the end marks, while the third person will make sure the string is aligned with the middle mark before she pinches and snaps it.

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TIP: Chalk lines usually contain blue chalk that is difficult to wipe off. Instead, you might want to empty out the box and refill it with a mixture of 3 parts talcum powder and 1 part blue chalk.

Also, paint and glaze don't adhere well to chalk, so once you've masked the stripe pattern, brush or wipe off the chalk (using a clean soft cloth).

Click here to ask your own question about painting stripes.