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Best Surfaces to Apply Whiteboard Paint

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Introduction: Customers who plan to apply our premium whiteboard coatings have questions on numerous topics related to their application, use, and characteristics. The topics addressed below include whether they can be applied on glass, wood, floors, and old whiteboards, whether they can be installed outdoors and used as projection screens, and if they yellow when exposed to sunlight.

Can I use whiteboard paint on glass?

Yes, for a transparent finish, apply the proper base coat/primer prior to installation of our high-quality whiteboard paint. For glass, tile, mirrors, formica, melamine, metal or any other smooth, slick, shiny surface that’s not already painted, you have two options. One is to first apply two coats of our proprietary base coat/primer, which has superior adhesion qualities. Then wait a minimum of three to four hours between coats. No special primer is required. This is a key benefit of our base coat/primer-in-one product because the standard slogan for our whiteboard coatings is that they will transform any smooth painted surface into a whiteboard. However, glass and other slick surfaces need to get the proper preparation and be painted first before our whiteboard coatings can be installed; otherwise, the coatings will not adhere. After the second coat of the base paint is applied, wait at least 24 hours and then apply our premium whiteboard coating.

A unique characteristic of our base paint/primer is that it adheres easily to all clean slick surfaces such as glass, stainless steel, melamine, and tile; whereas, other paint primers may attach well to walls but will not attach to slick surfaces, and yet others may adhere to glass but not to metal, etc. If you choose to use one of these other primers, which is less cost-effective because it requires more time and money, you’ll need to use the specific primer that’s designed for the substrate you’re working on. Paint store staff should be able to help you find the suitable primer for your specific surface.

Once the primer is applied, you’ll need to apply two coats of a satin or eggshell water-based enamel that contains none of the additives listed in the fourth item on our website’s FAQ page. These include antimicrobial agents and flow modifiers, among others. Such chemicals can have negative reactions with our quality whiteboard top coatings, producing bubbling, peeling, and other issues that can make your surface hard to erase and write on. After applying the two coats of base coat, you’ll need to let them dry for a minimum of 24 hours before applying our premium whiteboard coating on top.

Can I use whiteboard paint on wood?

Yes, however, there are two types of wood surfaces: raw wood and previously sealed wood. With raw natural wood that has grain in it the first step is to apply a clear wood sealer. The sealer will penetrate down into the wood, raise the grain, and make the wood rough on the surface. Thus, you’ll need to be sure that the surface is 100% smooth by repairing any holes with wood filler and then sanding. Next, to fully seal the wood, apply our proprietary base coat/primer or a primer that’s appropriate for wood, and then the base coat.

If you want to install quality whiteboard paint on a wooden desk or other piece of furniture that’s been stained and has a coating, you should make sure it’s clean by rubbing it down with denatured alcohol. Then patch any holes you see, sand the surface lightly to scuff it, make sure it’s clean and free of debris and divots, and then apply our quality base paint/primer or a different primer and two coats of the appropriate base paint. If you plan to install our whiteboard coating on a piece of furniture, it’s recommended that you place the item on a tabletop or other elevated surface so that you’re able to apply the coating in a vertical manner, as you would when painting a wall. This is suggested because our coatings contain a self-leveling agent that works better when applications are done on a vertical surface.

Can I use whiteboard paint outside?

The highest quality whiteboard paint is tested to withstand various temperatures and is resistant to yellowing in sunlight so it can theoretically be used outdoors. However, the product’s warranty only covers interior applications and use, so if you apply the coating on an outdoor surface you’ll be doing so at your own risk.

Will my whiteboard painted walls yellow in sunlight?

Our quality whiteboard paint is applied and used in hot sunny climates all over the world. Certain chemicals contained in the formula of our UV-resistant high-end whiteboard paint fully protect our finished surfaces from yellowing, and this feature is covered in our product warranty.

Can I use whiteboard paint on my floors?

Yes, but the smooth surface requirement that allows for the great erasability of our whiteboard painted surfaces will cause the finished product on your floor to be slick, thus eliminating slip resistance. Also, foot traffic accelerates the wear-and-tear aspect of any paint, and our coatings are no different. Finally, as mentioned above, our premium coatings contain a self-leveling chemical ingredient that functions more effectively when applications are done on vertical surfaces as opposed to horizontal ones such as floors.

Can I use whiteboard paint to repair a whiteboard?

Yes, quality whiteboard paint can be used to repair traditional framed whiteboards. However, our coating should be applied on a whiteboard only after a light sanding to scuff the surface, followed by the application of our proprietary base paint/primer or a primer that’s specifically designed for use on melamine, porcelain or whatever other material the whiteboard is made of. If you already have a standard whiteboard installed and want to restore it to save the time, energy, and money involved in purchasing a new one, our top-quality whiteboard paint can do the job.

As described above about applying our whiteboard coatings to glass, metal, and other glossy surfaces, all you need to do is install two coats of ReMARKable Tintable Base Paint, and wait at least three hours before applying the second coat. Again, no primer is needed as our quality basecoat/primer plays the role of both primer and undercoat. Once the second coat of Tintable Base Paint is applied, wait a minimum of 24 hours and then install our whiteboard coating to your whiteboard’s surface, after taping off the frame with painter’s tape or masking tape to avoid over-painting.

If you choose to apply a primer other than our proprietary brand, you’ll need to use one that’s specifically formulated for use on the type of whiteboard surface you have, such as melamine, porcelain, or glass. Again, paint store staff can guide you in choosing a product that’s right for your particular surface. After installing the primer, you’ll need to apply two coats of satin or eggshell water-based enamel that’s free of certain chemical additives such as antimicrobial agents and rheology or flow modifiers, among others. These additives are all listed in the fourth item on our website’s FAQ page. Such chemicals can adversely react with our whiteboard paints and cause bubbling, delamination, and other problems that impact the erasability and writability of your finished whiteboard surface. You’ll then have to let this base coat dry for at least 24 hours before applying our premium whiteboard coating as a topcoat. If you have questions about which additives to avoid in a base coat, you may contact our customer support team for all the details.

Can I project onto whiteboard paint?

Only the highest quality whiteboard paint has a slight satiny finish that allows for perfect erasability and also limits the glare emitted from a projector’s globe. Thus, our coated surfaces provide excellent areas for projecting slides and videos during your staff meetings, seminars, conferences, and other gatherings. Our white coating has the least amount of sheen of any whiteboard coating on the market, so you can have great success using it with short-throw projectors such as those available in the Epson Brightlink series.


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Home / News / Best Surfaces to Apply Whiteboard Paint

Posted: March 2, 2020

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