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Applying Whiteboard Paint

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Introduction: In order for a whiteboard painted surface to perform as it should, the paint that goes into it needs to be applied without exposure to dust, and to dry or release its watery component in an efficient manner. It is proper and timely drying that causes our whiteboard coatings to adhere in the way they’re designed to and provide users with a high-quality whiteboard experience for ten-plus years of ongoing use. If the ambient temperature or relative humidity in a space is either too high or too low, the way in which the paint dries will be affected and, accordingly, how well it functions, looks, and endures in years to come.

Thus, three of the key elements that affect the durability, erasability, writability, and sheen of a premium whiteboard wall are the ambient room temperature, the humidity level, and dust in the surrounding air and on the surface while the whiteboard coating is applied and while it dries. Being aware of these factors and controlling for them before and during a whiteboard paint installation can help you avoid problems and ensure a successful whiteboard coating application that will provide many years of trouble-free use when properly cleaned and maintained.

Humidity’s Impact on Whiteboard Paint

Humidity level is the term for the number of water droplets in a given body of air; the more droplets that are present, the higher the humidity level will be. When the air in a room is extremely humid or full of moisture, the water in whiteboard paint has a difficult time evaporating; that is, the paint has a hard time drying, because the water vapor keeps the paint wet. And when the watery part of the whiteboard paint doesn’t dissipate through evaporation, the paint will fail to properly adhere to the surface it’s applied to. Thus, a whiteboard painted wall installed in a humid environment will remain partially wet and may undergo sagging, may attract dust from the surrounding environment, and may become smudged when marker ink is used and erased on it. For these reasons, the relative humidity in the room where you’re applying your premium whiteboard coating needs to be less than 50 percent so as not to influence the durability, sheen, appearance, and erasability of your dry erase surface after the paint has dried.

The lower the relative humidity of the room where you plan to install your whiteboard surface the easier your whiteboard coating will be to apply, and the more quickly it will dry and be ready to use. This also means a shorter waiting period to get your room back to normal and to start functioning or working as usual again. In many areas, the relative humidity is generally lower in the wintertime, so whiteboard paint is easier to apply and will dry more quickly at that time of year. If you’re in an area where this is the case, you might want to plan your whiteboard wall installation project for a day during the winter months.

 

Room Temperature’s Impact on Whiteboard Paint

While the whiteboard coating is being applied, the temperature in the room should be from 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 85degrees Fahrenheit or18 degrees to 29 degrees Centigrade. And while the paint is drying, the ambient temperature should stay at a constant 68 degrees to 77 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 degrees to 25 degrees Centigrade. Also, before you start to mix the two parts of the whiteboard paint formula together, you’ll need to let the containers become acclimated to the room temperature of 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 24 hours. In colder weather, the process of letting the paint adjust to the room temperature will take a little longer.

You should also take into account the temperature of the wall where you’re planning to install the whiteboard coating, which in winter may be colder than the ambient temperature of the room it’s located in. If your area is experiencing a frigid spell at the time you plan to apply your whiteboard paint, the outdoor cold may penetrate the outside of your building and substantially chill the walls inside, especially those that face the building’s exterior. In order for your whiteboard coating to adhere well to your wall and possess the normal level of sheen, durability, writability, and erasability, the interior wall temperature is an important factor to consider along with the interior air temperature. In such a case of extremely cold weather, it’s a good idea to turn up the thermostat on your heating system to warm up the wall before and during the time you’re installing your whiteboard paint and for about 36 hours afterwards. This should help to heat up the wall to a reasonable temperature despite the outside conditions, thus creating a better environment for the whiteboard paint to be installed and to dry normally.

Keeping your room between the temperatures of 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 77 degrees Fahrenheit will permit the water in your whiteboard paint to evaporate in the normal 48-hour drying period and deliver a high-quality surface, so you can avoid any issues that might occur with respect to the overall quality of your premium whiteboard surface. In this way, you can look forward to ten or more years of dependable and trouble-free writing and drawing with normal use and regular upkeep.

Dust’s Impact on Whiteboard Paint

It’s important not to allow foot traffic to occur in the area where you’re applying your whiteboard paint, as well as any other activities that might create dust during the application process and for a span of 48 hours afterward. During the application of whiteboard paint, if dust particles are present on the wall they create an invisible barrier between the surface and the paint being applied, ultimately resulting in peeling of the painted surface, loosening, bumps, the appearance of tiny spots, and other issues. Just as dirt or dust on a piece of adhesive tape prevents the tape from adhering properly to an object, so does the presence of dust inhibit quality whiteboard paint from clinging effectively to a wall or other surface, thus compromising the toughness and easy writing and erasing qualities of the finished surface.

Considering the potentially powerful impact of dust on your premium whiteboard paint installation, it’s important to clean your surface as thoroughly as possible before you begin applying the paint. A microfiber cloth, towel, or mitt is highly recommended for this purpose, as rayon, polyester, flannel, and other types of fabrics, especially natural ones such as cotton and wool, can leave excessive amounts of lint on your wall, and this will act in the same way as dust by inhibiting the proper adhesion of your whiteboard coating. To do the cleaning, the use of a microfiber cloth, towel, or mitt along with water alone or an eco-friendly water-based cleaning solution is best from an environmental perspective. You may also use a microfiber cloth with denatured alcohol or vinegar for cleaning the surface if necessary, but avoid using a sticky tack cloth because even though it is lint-free and will get all the dust off of your surface, it will leave behind an oily residue and this will also cause problems with adhesion of your whiteboard paint during application, and with your whiteboard surface after drying. Finally, avoid the use of paper towels because they tend to shred all over a surface and leave behind tiny bits of paper.

Once your wall is completely clean, use a microfiber cloth again to dry it off and wait until the surface is dry to the touch. If the room is at the recommended 50-percent-or-less humidity level and the ambient temperature is from 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 85degrees Fahrenheit, the drying process should not take long, and you can then begin the job of installing your whiteboard paint.


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Home / News / Applying Whiteboard Paint

Posted: February 24, 2020

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