How to Minimize Ghosting on Dry Erase Boards

 Jim Hingst explains how to condition the surface to minimize ghosting...

Ghosting on dry erase boards is usually the rule, not the exception. If you want your dry erase board to look good years from now with minimal ghosting, you have to condition the surface, before you use it and you have to use the right markers.  I have used the RTape EZErase™ film on my refrigerator for two years.  The surface is as white today as when I applied it. In fact, it is a brighter white than the white of the refrigerator. 

Here’s how to condition the surface.  Apply Rain-X® Fast Wax Liquid Formula to the entire surface of the dry erase board, using a cotton rag. (Rain-X® Fast Wax is available at hardware stores, such as Menards.)

The Rain-X® Fast Wax forms a protective barrier between the surface of the EZErase™ dry erase vinyl and the ink of the dry erase pens.

After waxing the surface, I recommend writing on EZErase™ vinyl with the Quartet® Enduraglide® pens or the RTape dry erase pens.

To clean off the writing on EZErase™ vinyl, squirt a little Rain-X® Fast Wax on a cotton cloth. See the photo below. 

With Rain-X® Fast Wax the writing wipes right off leaving no telltale ghosting. See the picture below.  I can’t promise you that EZErase™ will never ghost. I don’t know what dry erase board that doesn’t show ghosting or signs of aging after years of use.  I can only report on the results that I have experienced and recommend that you give it a try. 

Great for Writing on Dry Erase Vinyl:

Chalk Ink 6mm Classic Wet Wipe Markers

● Waterbased pigment ink.

● Removes easily with ammonia based cleaner.

● Non-toxic; no harmful solvents such as xylene.

● Works on a wide range of non-porous surfaces.

Vinyl Application Videos

Squeegee Technique. Nothing is more basic in vinyl application than the squeegee. But some squeegees work better than others. And there are right ways and wrong ways to use this simple tool. This video clip reviews squeegee selection, squeegee care and squeegee technique. Click to Link

Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link

Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link

Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films.  Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link

3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link

Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free.  Click to Link

Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link

Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link

About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2016 Jim Hingst