Dry erase paint can be a great way to turn a boring room into one that is great for kids, conferences, and people who are always looking for a pen and paper to jot down some notes. You can apply it to just one wall or an entire room, or you can simply use it to make your own dry erase board. Many brands of dry erase paint come in a variety of colors – even transparent – and are designed to be used on a variety of surfaces. However, dry erase paint is notoriously difficult to apply. Here are a few tips that may help you roll on this quality, affordable, non-toxic paint as smoothly as possible.
Sand Wood, Clean Metal, and Prep Walls
If you are painting unusual surfaces like wood or metal, you will want to make doubly sure that you have sanded and cleaned them smooth. And as with any paint, use tape to cover baseboards, ceiling edges, and any other surfaces that you don’t want painted.
Use a Smooth Level 5 Finish Before Starting
The smoother your wall is before you begin, the smoother your dry erase paint will roll on. If your walls haven’t been painted with a level 5 finish already, you may consider finishing them before applying dry erase paint. Remember, too, that dry erase walls with bumps or lines in them are harder to clean than smooth walls, which will easily wipe clean.
Paint Evenly
Using a roller with a microfiber roller cover, roll the dry erase paint in steady, even strokes from one side of the wall to the other. Don’t try to cut in at the corners with a brush – use a mini roller if you need to apply the paint consistently across the surface. Roll in one direction as you go, to reduce the chances of leaving any paint lines on your wall.
Let It Dry for a Week
It takes about five days for dry erase paint to properly dry and cure. Leave any painters’ tape up until the paint is completely cured so you don’t accidentally peel any paint off with the tape. If you aren’t sure whether the paint is ready to be written on, or if you live in extreme temperatures, you might want to wait another three or four days to be safe.
Take Care of Your New Dry Erase Wall
Just like a regular dry erase board can grow dingy and dirty over time if it isn’t properly cared for, your dry erase wall can become discolored over time as well. And a dry erase board is much easier to replace (or get rid of) than a dry erase wall. Don’t skimp out on cheap dry erase markers. Make sure you clean the dry erase surface often, and don’t leave writing on the wall for more than a few hours. Finally, don’t let anyone use anything other than a dry erase marker to write on the dry erase wall!
