So you want your own whiteboard for the classroom?

Sometimes the simpler things in life just take a little effort. Like most educators, you’ve probably got one of those old black chalk boards and that’s great but they tend to make quite the mess… well at least, the chalk that accompanies them creates a dust storm that could set off the worst sneezing attack you’ve ever had. Perhaps you just can’t stand the texture of chalk in your hands (you’re not alone if that’s the case).

Well, fear not. We’ve gone hunting through the internet to find a solution. Here’s a little guide on how to make your own dry erase white board simply and easily without drying out your wallet.

Step 1.

Grab or buy a piece of smooth material with suitable dimensions. Many dry erase boards aren’t actually one uniform piece of material. Instead, they’re a solid core of hard, smooth material that’s been painted with multiple coats of paint to create a smooth writing surface. A wide variety of materials are suitable for these types of boards. Generally speaking, you’re looking for something durable that’s thin, durable, rectangular, and perfectly smooth. Don’t choose anything that’s rough or textured, as this will produce an uneven writing surface. Your existing chalk board is great for this reason. Remove any stickers or anything else that’s already stuck onto your board. Make sure that it’s completely clean and dust free.

Step 2

Paint your board white. While there is no rule saying that you have to have a white dry erase board, they are traditionally white for good reason – any color of ink will show up against a white background. Give your board a thorough coating of white paint, ensuring that one surface is entirely covered. You may want to allow your base coat to dry, then add another coat to ensure the board is thick enough.

Tip: Using a paint roller will give you an even smooth coat of paint.

Step 3

Finish your board with a clear outer coating. When your white base coat is dry, apply a clear outer performance coating. Generously paint the clear, smooth lacquer over the white layer and allow it to dry. As above, consider adding multiple coats to ensure uniform thickness.

There are lots of suitable paints and laminates that can give you a suitable clear performance layer. One of the best of these, melamine, is mentioned as a possible solid base material for your dry erase board in the previous section. Melamine is also available in liquid “paint” form and can be used to give your board a great writing finish.

If your board isn’t already up on the wall then grab some screws and wall plugs. Drill your holes and hang it up. On the other hand, if you’d like to be able to move your board, consider hanging it from mounting hooks. If you do so, you may want to consider adding a backboard so that the board sits securely against the wall.

That’s it. Simple and affordable. Let us know how your dry erase board turned out!