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Paint for Marker Board?

Hand Lettering topics: Sign Making, Design, Fabrication, Letterheads, Sign Books.

Moderators: Ron Percell, Mike Jackson, Danny Baronian

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Raymond Chapman
Posts: 345
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 5:50 pm
Location: Temple. Texas

Paint for Marker Board?

Post by Raymond Chapman »

I have several white marker boards that need lines and lettering. What paint/ink should I use that would stand up against the continual cleaning of the board?

My first thought was to cut a mask and spray with Krylon. Am I on the right track? I know that the paint has to bite into the marker board to withstand the abuse. Screen printing ink?
Joe House
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Location: Portland Oregon
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Post by Joe House »

Raymond, If you're talking about the white dry erase type of boards they're very difficult to decorate. I believe that they have a silicone coating on them to make them clean up so easily. I think you'd have to get through that before you put any kind of paint or ink on them. I don't know if there's a hot solvent that might cut through it or not.
I've always recommended that my customer's decorate the board and then cover it with clear dry erase film. But that's not always an acceptable answer.
This is a common question that I get from other sign makers. Please let us know what you come up with.

Good Luck,

Joe
Best Regards,
Joe House
Danny Baronian
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Post by Danny Baronian »

Raymond,

Do a test first, but this should work for you. Clean the board well, with a final cleaning with 1:1 denatured alcohol and water, then mask as usual . I don't think the boards are coated with silicon, otherwise the markers wouldn't work on the board. If that is of concern though, use an automotive prep cleaner that will remove any silicon residue.


Get a can of Bulldog, available at most auto body supply shops in spray cans and by the quart. I've used this on all hard to paint surfaces, and haven't seen anything it has attacked yet. The material is clear and dries in 15 minutes.

I'd do a couple of light mist coats followed by whatever paint you want including latex.
Last edited by Danny Baronian on Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
Danny Baronian
Baronian Mfg.
CNC Routing & Fabrication
http://www.baronian.com
Raymond Chapman
Posts: 345
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 5:50 pm
Location: Temple. Texas

Bulldog?

Post by Raymond Chapman »

Danny - is Bulldog a clear that is put on last? How does that effect cleaning the maker off the board?

Or is the clear put on before doing the lines and lettering?

I've used High Performance vinyl on some, but this one has some very small lines that I'm afraid might pull up with continued cleaning.
Danny Baronian
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Post by Danny Baronian »

As I was told, Bulldog is a paint promoter. I think it was designed mainly for plastic / rubber car bumpers which come untreated and unprimed. The bumper is cleaned then sprayed with bulldog, followed by final paint.

So the short of it - mask your board and use bulldog only on the areas you'll be painting, after that you can paint those areas anyway you want.

Since you indicated the areas include text, you might want to cut the text on the plotter, apply the mask and hand cut the fine lines. Then spray bulldog and the paint of your flavor.

Regarding masking material, I have good results with 3m paint mask, though others may work as well. Depends on what you can get in your area.

You may already know but..... plan on completing the job in one day. Don't mask, paint one day then remove it the next or you may have problems removing the mask, or have paint lift at the mask. If you don't have any paint mask, or don't want to buy any for a small job, use old calendared vinyl. Many times it will work just as well, and if removed when the paint tacks up, comes off easily.
Danny Baronian
Baronian Mfg.
CNC Routing & Fabrication
http://www.baronian.com
Raymond Chapman
Posts: 345
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2004 5:50 pm
Location: Temple. Texas

Thanks

Post by Raymond Chapman »

Thanks Danny....as always, you provided me with just the right information...and prodecure. I'll let you know what happens.
Ron Percell
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Post by Ron Percell »

Hi Raymond,
Mask & Sand well with a Green Scuff pad or 400 grit, then degreese and paint with One Shot(Hardener is optional) or spray with your Krylon.

I'd Rollar coat them myself with One Shot.

Have a Great Day Raymond,
Ron
Mike Jackson
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Post by Mike Jackson »

bump
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