Various brands make chalkboard and whiteboard panels that you can install around your home or shop, and there are also different types of paints you could use, such as by Rust-Oleum (chalkboard paint, whiteboard paint).
Unbeknownst to me before today, there are also self-adhesive chalkboard and whiteboard tapes.
I can see the appeal of duct tape-like writable tapes. There’s no primer or paint to mess around with, and you don’t have to buy large panels that need to be cut down to size. You wouldn’t want to line an entire wall with these tapes, but they should be handy for creating writable surfaces on small areas.
Advertisement
The instructions say to cut, peel, and stick, which means the tape probably comes off the roll with a removable liner. This should make application far easier than if these behaved more like duct tape. Plus, that should result in a higher quality surface coating.
Both tapes are removable, but you’ll want to exercise caution if planning to use them on delicate surfaces.
They are both sold in 1.88″ x 5 yard rolls.
The chalkboard tape can be written or drawn on with regular chalk. Marks are wiped clean with a tissue, cloth, or chalk eraser.
Advertisement
The whiteboard dry erase tape can be used with any common dry erase marker, and can be wiped clean with a tissue, cloth, or dry eraser.
3M and Scotch don’t say how many times you can write on and erase a section of either tape until they need to be replaced, but if things get too smudgy, simply peel off the old tape and apply a fresh strip.
Price: ~$6 each, or $20 for a 6-pack
Buy Now(Scotch Chalkboard Tape via Amazon)
Buy Now(Scotch Whiteboard Tape via Amazon)
First Thoughts
If I need to add a removable label to something, I use beige or blue masking tape, and a Sharpie marker. But, these look like a more elegant way to do things. Instead of crossing out a label, or sticking on a new piece of tape, these chalkboard and whiteboard tapes can simply be erased clean.
Some of the Amazon reviews for these new writable surface tapes say that the adhesive isn’t very strong. This could be a good thing, or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it.
Nathan
the dry erase tape might be very useful for me. I will give some a go.
MT_Noob
I literally just learned about and bought these last week. Finally I found out about a new tool before Stuart!
Stuart
And you didn’t write in with “new tool tip?” Tsk tsk. =P
If you don’t mind my asking, which one did you buy, and how do you like it?
MT_Noob
I bought a six pack of each (mostly as gifts). I have a friend and a niece who both will love to play around with these. I have not used the ones I set aside myself yet, but I will give them a try tonight and report back.
And next time I promise to use the tip line.
MT_Noob
Stuart, if you email me a shipping address I can send you one of each.
MT_Noob
Quickly tried them both out this evening. I put a strip of each on the furnace to remind me of when I put in a new air filter.
Indeed both types of tape are similar to carpet tape or a giant strip of label maker tape because it requires you to peel off the backing before applying it to the surface.
This is not “supersticky repair anything” duct tape, it does not seem to be designed to hold things together, but just to be a label. As far as I can tell. I have not tested its holding strength, it just seems weaker when you test the tackiness with your hand.
Functionally, they both seem to work as described.
The whiteboard tape does wipe clean very easily and didn’t seem to have a leftover residue like some white boards have, although not sure how that would hold up over time.
The chalkboard also wipes clean of standard chalk pretty easy and a damp rag cleans it it right up if needed.
I also tried “Super Chalks” liquid chalk marker that wrote well, but it required water to remove it cleanly.
Stuart
I appreciate the offer, but you’d probably spend about the same on shipping than what I would spend to buy one of each from Amazon.
Thanks for the early impression/mini review – it’s much appreciated!
Mac
Not quite tape, but we’ve used something similar to this (we have a much longer roll): http://www.amazon.com/Fancy-fix-Whiteboard-Sticker-Decals-Marker/dp/B00HMXT0HC/
Works great. Even used it on a concrete block wall, and it stuck fine. Of course, writing wasn’t the best.
Farid
I can see the dry-erase tape being useful in a variety of manufacturing jobs. For example, we may be able to use it to mark “traveler” carts or bins with with the work order # as it moves from one plant section to the other, or mark the start time of a test next to the temperature chamber, …etc. We currently use a mix of pr-printed tags and masking tape. We do have 1″ wide magnetic strips the serve the same function, but those only work on steel carts an shelves, of course.
At home, I can see placing a tape near the bench were I can mark the start time of gluing operation for example, so I’ll remember when I can unclamp a joint. Or on the furnace to mark when the filter needs to be replaced next without having to open the filter compartment..
Finally, I can place a strip near the garage door button, to give my lovely wife yet another place to remind me of a forgotten task on the way in or out of the house!
Dennis
Chalk that up (couldn’t resist the pun) to stuff I didn’t know existed, but need. It would be nice if they had some colors for the dry erase stuff, florescent yellow comes to mind. Maybe that’s a future release.
Jerry
This could be useful for things that occasionally get re labeled. I could see putting a piece on my gas can, so I know If I have regular, premium, or 2 cycle mix in the can. Sometimes I don’t use it all at once, and this would be better than masking tape or tying some sort of label to it.
ktash
If you are caring for someone who is ill and need to track last time they got their medications and when the next one is due. Put it right near where you keep the medicine. I love the furnace filter idea and am going to do this.
With kids who are learning new words, you could put a word a day on it. Lots of applications with kids, actually. Good stocking stuffers for Christmas for people of all ages who like stuff like this.
On your bathroom mirror reminding you to smile in the morning 🙂