New Whiteboard Skins Are Easily Applied to Old Whiteboards, Chalkboards
When it’s time to replace whiteboards, educational institutions and businesses can reduce costs and save money by resurfacing existing, worn-out dry erase surfaces, or by applying whiteboard resurfacing panels or film over chalkboards.
Upgrading whiteboards with resurfacing panels or resurfacing film is very cost-effective. The process is quick and easy, resulting in whiteboards that will stay white for a lifetime – provided you install whiteboard panels or film that is guaranteed not to stain, such as EVERWhite’s panels, or resurfacing film made by our Everase division.
Typical, low-quality whiteboards in schools and businesses become stained and discolored through daily use. That often results in a perpetual cycle of replacing whiteboards that have become too stained to serve their purpose.
Dry erase resurfacing panels, also referred to as whiteboard resurfacing panels, and dry erase resurfacing film, are a quick and easy alternative to replacing whiteboards. A resurfacing panel or resurfacing film material is essentially a frameless dry erase sheet that sticks over the surface of a chalkboard or stained whiteboard. There is typically little to no discernible difference between a resurfaced whiteboard and a new wall-mounted whiteboard.
Just like resurfacing panels, dry erase film can be applied over old whiteboard surfaces. Whiteboard film generally is sold in rolls, with lengths sufficient to resurface several boards. Our sister company Everase sells dry erase resurfacing films.
Years ago, resurfacing panels were tedious to install because messy adhesives needed to be applied by hand during installation. Today, most resurfacing panels are available with a factory-applied, self-adhesive backing. Installing self-adhesive resurfacing panels is basically a two-step process: A liner on the self-adhesive backing is peeled off, and the panel is stuck to the surface of the stained whiteboard.
There are a number of benefits for choosing resurfacing instead of whole-board replacement:
Resurfacing panels and resurfacing film are considerably less expensive to purchase and to ship than new, framed whiteboards, and installing a resurfacing panel or film is much less intensive than installing a new whiteboard. When replacing an old whiteboard with a new whiteboard, there are costs associated with dismantling the old whiteboard, patching the wall, disposing of the old whiteboard, and installing the new whiteboard. When resurfacing, all of these costs are eliminated. Schools and businesses are realizing substantial savings when resurfacing—some by as much as 80 percent—through bypassing this work and opting to resurface instead of replace whiteboards.
Replacing new whiteboards is a cumbersome process that takes time, but resurfacing whiteboards can be a very quick process that requires much less manpower.
There are many brands and types of resurfacing options available, and it can be difficult to narrow down the many choices. Three key factors to consider when choosing resurfacing panels are surface quality, backing, and adhesion.
1. Surface Quality
Dry erase surfaces vary widely in terms of quality. Some resurfacing panels have a melamine surface, which, with typical classroom use, will only last a few years without staining. Other resurfacing panels have a porcelain or hardcoat laminate surface. These are known to last longer than melamine, but they can still vary widely in terms of quality. For its resurfacing panels, EVERWhite uses a proprietary, non-porous surface material that is guaranteed not to stain. Our Everase resurfacing film also will not stain.
To prevent the frustration of purchasing resurfacing panels that don’t stand the test of time, choose a product with a guarantee that covers surface staining. This can be tricky, because many surface guarantees regard surface staining as “normal wear and tear.” The key is to read the fine print of the guarantee and make sure it covers surface staining. This is an indicator of a good, non-staining dry erase surface that won’t disappoint you in years to come.
2. Backing
Resurfacing panels usually consist of a dry erase surface fused to a steel backing. The steel backing provides a sturdy, smooth surface for writing, and it also allows the panel to have a little flexibility or “bend,” which is helpful during installation. The whiteboard to be resurfaced needs to be measured before ordering a steel-backed resurfacing panel, because the panel is cut to size during the manufacturing process. The backing also provides magnetism, allowing papers and other thin items to be posted on the board with magnets.
3. Adhesion
Most, but not all, resurfacing panels are self-adhesive. Resurfacing panels that are not self-adhesive require an adhesive such as glue or contact cement to be applied by hand during installation. These adhesives can be messy to work with, and the additional process of applying adhesive leaves extra room for error during installation. EVERWhite resurfacing panels come with a self-adhesive backing.
Any resurfacing panel must have a very strong adhesive keeping it adhered to the resurfaced board. When selecting resurfacing panels, it is wise to ask manufacturers if there are any types of surfaces that their resurfacing panels are not suitable for resurfacing. For example, certain types of old chalkboards have a vinyl coating, and not all resurfacing panels will permanently adhere to vinyl.
Call EVERWhite for more information on resurfacing panels, 800-335-7319, or visit our website page with directions on how to measure replacement sheets and place your order.
Dan Griffin is general manager of EVERWhite, a U.S. manufacturer and seller of whiteboards and tack boards used for teaching, coaching, planning, collaboration and tracking. Along with his expertise in the use of whiteboards, Dan excels in leadership, new product development, business operations, continuous improvement and product marketing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a focus on marketing, from Temple University.
