Chalkboard Surfaces
We use 4 types of surface for all our chalkboards.
MDF MR - The most common surface we use is moisture resistant MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard). The MDF is painted 3-4 times with high quality chalkboard paint to ensure colour density and durability. These boards can be used indoors or outdoors.
This type of board is perfect for use with stick chalk although liquid chalk pens can also work. We recommend Posterman liquid chalk pens.
To clean the boards a damp cloth with a mild detergent (Mr Muscle) or our chalkboard cleaner should be used. Never use an abrasive cleaner as this will remove the chalkboard paint
Over time the boards will begin to shadow and go grey as more and more of the chalk dust is deposited on the boards.
You can easily recover the board surface by applying a fresh coat of chalkboard paint (see accessories). This is extremely quick drying and returns the surface to its original dark black finish
Coated MDF - we use this surface on some of our framed boards. This surface is perfect for use with liquid chalk pens but is too smooth to make it ideal for stick chalk.
To clean the boards a damp cloth with a mild detergent should be used. Never use an abrasive cleaner as this will damage the surface
Providing it is looked after this surface should last for many years.
HPL (High Pressure Laminate) - We use this surface on our premium boards. HPL is very durable and smooth and is perfect for use with Liquid chalk pens, although stick chalk is also just as good. Hence we use the phrase Easiclean to describe boards made with this material.
To clean the boards a damp cloth with a mild detergent should be used. Never use an abrasive cleaner as this could damage the surface.
HPL can be used time and again without the integrity of the surface being compromised.
Foamex - a PVC foam board that is ideal for printing and signage. It has a smooth, completely flat matt surface and is both durable and lightweight. It is ideal for long term indoor use and short term outdoor use.
To clean the boards a damp cloth with a mild detergent should be used. Never use an abrasive cleaner as this could damage the surface.
We normally stock Black only but a range of different colours are available on request.
This table may help show the differences between the surfaces we use:
|
Material |
Stick Chalk? |
Any Liquid Chalk? |
Strong? |
Outdoors? |
|
6mm MDF Painted |
YES |
No |
YES |
YES |
|
3mm MDF Coated |
NO |
YES |
NO |
NO |
|
3mm HPL (Easiclean) |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
5mm Foamex |
NO |
YES |
NO |
YES |