How To Make A Dry Erase Board

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Whether it's a calendar or a place for meeting notes, making a dry erase all is easy. Learn how Rust-Oleum dry erase paint offers you the flexibility of location and size of your dry erase wall.


About Dry Erase Paint

Rust-Oleum® Dry Erase Paint is a smooth, hard finish that creates a unique white writeable-erasable surface. Once dry, simply use any dry erase markers to draw or write messages and then erase! Application is easy and it has minimal odor making it safe to use indoors. Ideal for use on interior surfaces such as drywall, Masonite, wood, cement, metal.
  • For indoor use, on walls, or even doors
  • Great for offices, playrooms, kids rooms and more
  • Part A and Part B mixes easily and is ready to paint immediately.

Before You Paint

  • Use when temperature is between 50˚F (10˚C) and 90˚F (32˚C) and humidity is below 85% to ensure proper drying.
  • Lightly sand surface that is to be painted. Remove dust from sanding with a lint-free cloth.
  • Warning! If  you scrape, sand or remove old paint, you may release lead dust. Lead is toxic. Exposure to lead dust can cause serious illness such as brain damage, especially in children. Pregnant women should also avoid exposure. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure. Clean up carefully with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, find out how to protect yourself and your family by contacting the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or log on to www.epa.gov/lead.
  • Primer is recommended for bare wood and other porous surfaces (follow manufacturer's directions). Ideal for painted surfaces.

Painting the Wall

  1. With painter’s tape, tape around the area you wish to paint before beginning.
  2. Briefly stir each can before mixing.
  3. Pour Part A into Part B and stir thoroughly until the paint is a uniform color (about 2 minutes). No waiting time is required after mixing.
  4. Pour paint into a paint tray.
  5. Use a dense foam roller that is designed to give a smooth finish.
  6. To ensure a smooth finish, be sure to prep the foam roller by removing loose fibers.
    • This can be done by wrapping the roller with painter’s tape and removing the tape to pull off any excess material.
  7.  For smaller surfaces, use a foam brush. Results in a high gloss finish.
IMPORTANT: Apply activated Dry Erase Paint within 60 minutes of mixing.

Dry and Recoat Times

Based on 77˚F (25˚C)– 50% relative humidity. Allow more time at cooler temperatures. Dries to the touch in 3-4 hours. After 1 hour, remove painter’s tape that was used to mask the area. Then allow the Dry Erase surface to cure for 3 DAYS before applying any markings. Once fully cured, dry erase markers may be applied to surface and then wiped off with an eraser or lint-free cloth. If after erasing some hint of marking remains, simply use a dry erase cleaner to remove marks. Do not use abrasive cleaners, pads, or cloths. Let surface dry before using dry erase markers again.


For more helpful tips, visit Ace Hardware's Tips & Advice or visit a Neighborhood Ace
Published: 8/19/2020