Cleaning Dry Erase Boards with Bleach

Dry erase films are subject to ghosting (those shadowy images of erased messages). People have tried all types of concoctions to remove ghosting. The remedies include washing the surface with a solution of vinegar and water, cleaning with straight rubbing alcohol or acetone as well as scrubbing the surface with toothpaste. Some hospitals use a mixture of chlorine bleach and water to clean the ghosted images from their dry erase boards. Can you use this same mixture to clean RTape’s EZ Erase™? We didn’t want to guess, so we put the mixture to the test.

Before you start using chlorine bleach yourself, always follow these rules:

• Always read and follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions.

• Never mix bleach with anything other than warm (not hot) water. Mixing bleach with ammonia or vinegar will result in chemical reactions forming dangerous gases.

• No not mix bleach with hot water. The heat will release the bleach as a gas.

• In high concentrations, bleach is a toxic chemical. Only use bleach in low concentrations. If your eyes are burning or watering, you are using too much bleach. Do not exceed the ratio of 10 parts water to 1 part bleach. Always use bleach mixtures in a well-ventilated area.

• Wear protective gloves when using bleach. Bleach is corrosive. High concentrations can cause the skin to peel from unprotected hands.

For my test, I had a badly ghosted white board. I mixed one cup of bleach with a gallon of warm water. Using a sponge I saturated the surface with the bleach mixture. The result was that much of the ghosting was eliminated. Still it was not a perfect remedy. Some of the shadowy images were permanent.

To minimize ghosting, I recommend cleaning dry erase boards on a daily basis. Writing that remains uncleaned for weeks or longer often leaves ghosted images. Over time and after countless cleaning,  the smooth, slick surface of any dry erase substrate becomes abraded. This roughed up surface is more prone to holding ink and eventually will ghost.  

If you have a dry erase board that becomes dingy, you can always give it a facelift by covering up the surface with RTape EZ Erase™ film. When RTape EZ Erase™ outlives its useful life, the good news is that it is removable. Just peel the old film off of the substrate and replace it with new EZ Erase™ film.

RECOMMENDED FOR WRITING ON DRY ERASE FILMS:

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

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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. 

© 2016 Jim Hingst