What makes a whiteboard erasable?

Whiteboards are hard to write on and easily erased due to the special surface coating that is applied to the board. The surface of a whiteboard is typically made of a smooth, non-porous material, such as porcelain or melamine, which is then coated with a specially formulated dry-erase surface.

What makes whiteboard markers erasable?

Permanent markers use an acrylic polymer that helps the pigment stick to surfaces, while dry erase markers use an oily silicone polymer. The silicone polymer makes dry erase marker ink slippery and prevents the colored pigment of the marker to come in direct contact with the surface.

What can I put on a whiteboard to make it erase better?

What materials work as dry erase board?

When it comes to whiteboard vs. dry erase board, the truth is that they are the same material. The materials they're typically made of include melamine, porcelain and glass.

Why is my whiteboard so hard to erase?

Some surfaces either grow rough with time and wear, making tiny grooves that are hard to clean completely, or the material reacts with the ink and the ink dissolves it a little and really sets. If the cleaning agents don't work, or fresh marks are also very hard to remove, then it's probably time for a new board.

How Dry Erase Boards Are Made | How It’s Made

How do you make whiteboards easier to erase?

WD-40 “plugs” the microscopic holes in your whiteboard that caused stains — marker ink could get into the holes but then couldn't be erased. Turns out that WD-40 really does fix everything.

Why do whiteboards stop erasing?

While the dry erase marker typically wipes clean from surfaces, most whiteboards have a slight static charge to help the pigment stick to the surface. Over time whiteboards no longer wipe clean and can leave ugly stains and ghosted images.

What damages whiteboards?

Avoid the hard sponge or felt cleaning pads as they tend to smear the ink rather than wipe it which can lead to staining. Also avoid wet wipes and paper towels as they have a slightly abrasive finish which can damage the surface of the whiteboard.

What is the lifespan of a whiteboard?

Whiteboards that are made from plastic will have a lifespan of between 1-5 years, whereas those made from more durable materials can last from 10-20 years, or even longer. As with any office furnishing, it pays to take good care of your whiteboard.

What is a cheaper alternative for a whiteboard?

Vinyl Spots

They're generally cheaper than whiteboards and you can put them anywhere. Here's to a low-cost alternative to the real thing. And they work just as well.

Does WD-40 restore whiteboards?

If you have a can of WD-40, you can spray it on a dry erase board, then wipe it off to clean the whiteboard. Besides cleaning marks from your dry erase board, it revives the finish, making it slick and smooth and prepped for writing. Be careful in applying it, though.

What should you not clean a whiteboard with?

Never use plastic or metal scouring pads, abrasives or scraping tools – all which can damage the surface, thus allowing ink to penetrate it and create a stain. With regular cleaning – and using the right materials, the dry erase surface of your whiteboard should stay white and bright for many years.

Can you ruin a dry erase board?

Yes, Clorox wipes and other cleaning products (such as Windex) have the potential to ruin dry erase boards. This is especially true of melamine boards. While Clorox tends to produce excellent whiteboard cleaning results, it also damages or removes the surface of the board over time.

What are the ingredients in dry erase markers?

The alcohol soluble white board marker ink comprises, by weight, 4.0-12% of macromolecule pigment, 30-60% of ethanol, 20-50% of isopropanol, 0.4-3.0% of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), 0.4-3.0% of fatty alcohol-polyoxyethylene ether, 0.4-3.0% of Solsperse series of hyperdispersant, 0.4-3.0% of glycerol, 0.1-3.0% of ...

Is dry erase permanent?

You will get the same effect even with permanent markers on very slick surfaces, where they will wipe right off. But dry-erase markers are only removable from smooth and non-porous surfaces, but not from all surfaces. If you write with dry-erase markers on paper, it won't erase.

What makes markers erasable?

This is possible because dry-erase markers contain special ingredients. They include a solvent, which is usually some kind of alcohol. This is used to dissolve the color pigments that determine the marker's color. In addition, a resin or polymer is added, which is the key to making the ink erasable.

Can you rejuvenate a whiteboard?

Restore whiteboard surfaces by coating them with whiteboard paint. One coat of primer followed by smart whiteboard paint by Smarter Surfaces will give you a brand-new writable surface.

Why do whiteboards cost so much?

The raw materials that go into these high-priced boards, such as steel, aluminum, and the ceramic ingredients used in firing porcelain enamel, are quite costly, and the manufacturing processes used to produce them consume a massive amount of energy, all of which contribute to their high cost.

Can you revive a whiteboard?

Introduction: Returning a whiteboard coated surface to its full dry-erase capacity can be accomplished in several ways, including (1) thoroughly cleaning your erasers and then using them to clean your surface; (2) using a clean microfiber cloth to do the job; and (3) and using a clean microfiber cloth along with water ...

How do you clean a whiteboard that won't erase?

Again, a mix of isopropyl alcohol and water is the best solution to clean a whiteboard, but various other options work just as well. Using a cloth moistened with whiteboard cleaner is enough to keep a board clean if used every week. Warm soapy water, window cleaner, and peroxide also work well.

Does WD 40 damage whiteboard?

Firstly, because WD-40 is oil-based, it attracts dust and dirt, making it even harder to clean your board in the future. Secondly, the chemicals in WD-40 can break down the surface of your whiteboard, making it more difficult to write on over time. Yikes!

Can you use baby wipes on dry erase board?

Baby wipes may not be the most ideal choice for whiteboard surfaces because their moisture may not be sufficient for effective cleaning of the whiteboard surface. Additionally, baby wipes usually contain gentle moisturizers that can leave residues or cause staining on the whiteboard.

What is ghosting on a whiteboard?

Whiteboard ghosting occurs when dry erase marks are left behind and cannot be erased. Normally, most dry erase marks can be simply wiped away using a whiteboard eraser, and more stubborn marks can be cleaned away with a damp cloth.

Why are dry erase boards so expensive?

The raw materials that go into these high-priced boards, such as steel, aluminum, and the ceramic ingredients used in firing porcelain enamel, are quite costly, and the manufacturing processes used to produce them consume a massive amount of energy, all of which contribute to their high cost.

Why do whiteboards ghost?

Ghosting is when your dry erase marker ink bleeds into the surface of your board. Ghosting can be caused by one of four reasons; it can be cause by dirty erasers, by erasing marker that is still wet, by using the wrong kind of marker or by using the board too frequently.