IdeaPaint is flexible and easy to install. It can be applied to anything you can paint – drywall, plaster, chalkboard, whiteboard, tables, bikes, garden gnomes, small ceramic cats. Just prep and prime the surface before you start. IdeaPaint will be as smooth as the surface you paint.
IdeaPaint is a two-part coating that is mixed right before application. It works like any standard roller-applied paint. It requires just one coat of paint and comes with the roller you need. When you’re finished, give IdeaPaint PRO seven days to cure before using, and IdeaPaint CREATE four days to cure before using.
IdeaPaint is the most durable dry erase product available. That’s why all of our surfaces are backed by either a lifetime or a 10-year warranty and guaranteed not to crack, peel, stain, yellow or fade with proper use and maintenance.
IdeaPaint has been tested and proven safe for application and use by multiple third-party laboratories. Once it is dry, it emits no harmful chemicals. IdeaPaint is free of lead, asbestos, formaldehyde and other harmful materials.
Markers IdeaPaint works with virtually any dry erase marker and eraser. Replace markers frequently to prevent damage from dried, frayed tips. Keep permanent markers far, far away. If a permanent marker is accidentally used, remove it with dry erase cleaner or write over it with an Expo BOLD or IdeaPaint low-odor dry erase marker and erase.
Cleaning Use a clean dry erase eraser or a dry-cloth for daily cleaning. You can use dry erase cleaner periodically, but don’t use harsh solvents, harsh cleaners or abrasive wipes. If you need to repair or replace IdeaPaint, just scuff the entire surface and paint over it. Click
here for more info on maintainance and cleaning.
Technology wants to be your friend. You just need to take some time and get to know it a little better. Download all the technical details for PRO and CREATE right here.
Need help? Check out some of the most frequently asked questions. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, send us an
email and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Who can I contact with questions about IdeaPaint?
How can I sign up for your mailing list?
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ORDER QUESTIONS
How much time do I have to change my order before it ships?
We strive to ship orders quickly. If changes are needed, give us a call as soon as you can. And, do not worry - if your order has already shipped, we will get you what you need.
When will my order ship? When will I receive it?
Orders will ship within two business days, upon checkout. You can select your shipping method.
How much do you charge for shipping?
Shipping varies based on the size of the order and where it is going. Shipping costs will appear on the order page before you finalize your order.
How do I track my shipment?
After you place an order, two emails will be generated. The first email will provide an order confirmation and the second email will confirm the order has been shipped and provide a UPS tracking number. It is important to input your email correctly.
Will UPS leave my order if I am not home?
Yes, UPS will leave your order except when it is a closed business or you live in an apartment building and you are not home. In both cases they will leave a notification tag to make you aware of the package.
What is your return policy?
IdeaPaint accepts returns of unopened product within 30 days of receipt. To begin processing your return authorization, contact custserv@ideapaint.com or 617.714.1053.
Please note:
- Once the return authorization has been issued, please return the product within 14 days.
- Credit will only be issued if the product is returned within the 14 day authorization period.
- Once your product is received at our facility, a copy of the credit memo will be emailed as proof of receipt and refund.
- Credit will only be issued if the product is unopened.
- Credit will be issued via check or to the credit card used for purchase.
- You are responsible for return shipping charges.
- Return product via UPS or FedEx to:
IdeaPaint
290 Eliot Street, 2nd floor
Ashland, MA 01721
INSTALLATION QUESTIONS
What surfaces can IdeaPaint go over?
IdeaPaint can be applied to virtually any smooth, non-porous surface. Drywall, laminate, steel, glass, veneer, chalkboard, and whiteboard are all acceptable substrates. The IdeaPaint writing surface will only be as smooth as the surface you apply it to and requires the appropriate primer or IdeaPaint basecoat. Want to try it over a smooth surface we haven't yet? Go ahead! Let us know how you like it at info@ideapaint.com. We always like to see the awesome ways customers paint their worlds.
How do I prepare my IdeaPaint surface?
For surface prep, repair any divots, scratches, or bumps on the wall so the surface will be as smooth as possible. IdeaPaint is high gloss paint and surface imperfections can be magnified.
What primer do I use?
For most wall installations, IdeaPaint BASE, Kilz Premium or Sherwin Williams Premium Wall and Wood primer can be used. If IdeaPaint will be installed over a substrate other than a wall, refer to our
recommended primers.
Do I need to match my primer to the color of my IdeaPaint?
When painting IdeaPaint colors, it is recommended to get your primer tinted reasonably close to the IdeaPaint color you have purchased.
Can I use my IdeaPaint wall as a projection screen?
Yes, IdeaPaint will not crack or yellow over time from prolonged exposure to projection devices. Despite its high gloss nature, most of our customers use IdeaPaint as a projection surface. The best way to minimize glare and “hot spots” is to simply angle the projection apparatus in a way that defracts the light away from the common line of sight.
Do I have to prime my surface before applying IdeaPaint?
We do recommend priming a surface prior to installing IdeaPaint PRO and IdeaPaint HOME, but it is optional for IdeaPaint CREATE. For our new IdeaPaint CREATE formula, priming is recommended on new drywall or when changing the color of a surface. Follow all manufacturers' application and dry time instructions for the selected primer.
Do you have any specific painting tips before I apply IdeaPaint to my surface?
Yes, please refer to the Pointers for Painters, Installation Instructions and Instructional Video for the product you are applying in our
HELP section.
Is IdeaPaint environmentally friendly?
IdeaPaint is one of the most
environmentally responsible dry erase products on the market. It delivers more writing surface with far less environmental impact and is the only dry erase paint product to achieve the most stringent GreenGuard children and school certification. Furthermore, IdeaPaint coatings have received awards by Parent-Test, Parent-Approved.
Where do I find the MSDS, warranty and other technical documents?
All installation and technical documents can be found in our
HELP section.
Can IdeaPaint be sprayed?
Yes, IdeaPaint CREATE can be sprayed with an HVLP industrial sprayer. Refer to our
HVLP instructions or try a professional installer in your area.
Does IdeaPaint have an odor?
IdeaPaint CREATE is an odorless formula. IdeaPaint PRO and HOME do have a more significant odor that is stronger than regular latex paint. Therefore, it is important to properly ventilate the space to acheive a 1:1 airflow rate. Depending on the room’s ventilation, the odor will last for 12-24 hours after installation and completely dissipate within 24 hours.
Can you recommend an installer in my area?
If you have a large scale project and are looking for an experienced IdeaPaint installer, email
painters@ideapaint.com.
How difficult is it to apply IdeaPaint?
IdeaPaint CREATE and HOME are formulas created for users who feel comfortable applying standard paint. We recommend that IdeaPaint PRO is installed by an experienced or professional painter. Refer to our
HELP section for instructions and painting tips.
How long will my IdeaPaint surface last?
We do offer limited warranties on all of our products, ensuring against cracking, peeling, and yellowing. IdeaPaint PRO has a life-time warranty, IdeaPaint CREATE has a 10-year warranty, and IdeaPaint HOME has a 1-year warranty. Please keep in mind that your IdeaPaint surface will last much longer if
properly maintained.
How can I remove IdeaPaint from the wall?
You never need to “remove” IdeaPaint. But, if you ever find that you do not need your IdeaPaint surface, you can simply paint over it just as you would do any painted wall. Simply sand the surface, prime and then paint.
How do I clean IdeaPaint off of my hands, trim boards or other surfaces that I do not want it on?
PRO: Denatured alcohol cleans IdeaPaint PRO off undesired spills/mismarks and skin. Be sure to put it on a rag and then dab the mosit rag on the specific area to remove the IdeaPaint coating. Do not dump denatured alcohol on the spill or your hands directly. Denatured alcohol can be purchased at most local hardware, paint and DIY retaliers. CREATE: If you are cleaning your hands, use simply soap and water. If you are cleaning off of any other surface around your IdeaPaint project, you should use acetone. You must also put acetone on a rag, then work the spill with the damp rag. HOME: Denature alcohol cleans IdeaPaint HOME off undesired spills/miskmarks and skin. Be sure to put it on a rag and then dab the most rag on the specific area to remove the IdeaPaint coating. Do not dump denatured alcohol on the spill or your hands directly. Denatured alcohol can be purchased at most local hardware, paint, and DIY retailers.
I want one of your commercial-grade formulas. But, I am not sure if I should purchase IdeaPaint PRO or IdeaPaint CREATE. How do I choose?
IdeaPaint CREATE is a virtually odorless, low VOC formula that can be installed successfully by anyone who is comfortable painting traditional latex paint. IdeaPaint CREATE offers a 10-year limited warranty along with an initial 4-day cure period. It also offers the most flexible color range with coatings available in white, black, or a transparent clear option that can go over any new or exisiting colored, smooth surface.
IdeaPaint PRO is our original formula with a limited lifetime warranty and 7-day cure time that offers great writing and erasing performance. We do recommend a professional installer to ensure an optimal writing surace. 5 core, neutral colors are available for purchase in 50 sq. ft. kits.
Can I tint IdeaPaint to a custom color?
IdeaPaint cannot be tinted to a custom color. However, we do offer IdeaPaint CREATE in clear that can easily go over newly painted colored surfaces - or any existing smooth surface, providing a high performance dry erase surface. Now, a traditional whiteboard can be any color - a redboard, a blackboard, a tanboard, or whateverboard.
Do I need to prime my walls when installing CREATE in the black or white color?
Priming is optional for IdeaPaint CREATE. For IdeaPaint CREATE in white or black, prep and prime a surface if any of the following apply.
1) Application is on a new drywall surface, which is highly porous. Primer acts as a sealant and barrier prior to installing IdeaPaint as a top coat.
2) You are changing the color of the wall. For instance, prior to applying IdeaPaint CREATE in white on a blue wall, prep and prime the surface to allow the primer to act as a color shield. This will ensure that the undesired blue wall does not bleed through the IdeaPaint while colored surface.
3) You have an excessively damaged surface that has been heavily reparied with spackle and sanding. We recommend priming to ensure a properly prepped and the smoothest surface possible for your awesome ideas!
Remember, follow all manufacturers' application and dry time instructions for the selected primer.
Can I install IdeaPaint CLEAR over my existing wall color?
Yes! That is the awesomeness of IdeaPaint CREATE in clear. If your wall is in good shape, if it is smooth, and if you like the color, just go over it with a damp cloth to remove any residual debris and dust. Once completely dry, typically within minutes, get to it! Just remember, what you see on your wall now, you will still see after applying the clear IdeaPaint top coat. It will just be a bit glossier.
I want to apply IdeaPaint CREATE in clear over a newly painted wall. Am I limited to the type of paint or color that I can paint on my wall before applying IdeaPaint CREATE in clear as the topcoat?
You can paint any type of paint onto a smooth surface in any color. You are not limited by type or color, but we do not recommend textured or faux surface paint that may provide a poor writing surface.
How long do I want before I apply the clear over a freshly painted surface?
Review the paint manufacturer's insturctions of the paint you have applied and follow their directors for applying a repeat coat. If there is no recommendation, wait at least four hours before applying IdeaPaint CREATE in clear.
I have put IdeaPaint CREATE in Clear over a dark paint color. What dry erase marker ink should I use?
You can use any traditional dry erase marker ink over IdeaPaint CREATE in clear color, such as IdeaPaint's WRITE dry erase markers. We have seen traditional dry erase colors, such as red, blue, and green, appear very vividly on bold colored walls. If a dark paint color is a variable, assess how traditional dry erase markers appear on the surface.
There are also several neon and chalk inks available, although we do suggest that you test novelty inks from other manufacturers in a small IdeaPaint area to ensure satisfactory erasability. Check back with IdeaPaint in August, as we will have our first BRIGHT dry erase inks available in a variety of different ink colors. In the meantime, play, play, play!
What makers can I use on IdeaPaint CREATE in the black color?
There are also several neon and chalk inks available from a variety of brands, such as EXPO. We have had a lot of fun with these types of inks on our black walls, but marker manufacturers are constantly changing their ink chemistries. And, as much as we would like to know, they don't always tell us when they evolve their ink formulas. We do suggest that you test novelty inks from other manufacturers in a small IdeaPaint area to ensure satisfactory erasability.
Check back with IdeaPaint in August, as we will have our first BRIGHT dry erase inks available in a variety of different ink colors that will appear brilliantly on your new IdeaPaint CREATE Black wall.
What kind of markers can I use on my IdeaPaint surface?
IdeaPaint recommends IdeaPaint WRITE and EXPO BOLD for all dry erase surfaces, including IdeaPaint. Low-odor markers are not recommended for optimal erasability. Because new marker formulas are continuously available in the market, we recommend testing the erasability of any ink in a small area before using on a larger IdeaPaint space. Replace markers frequently to prevent damage from dried, frayed tips.
What do I do if I use a permanent marker?
If a permanent marker is accidentally used, remove it with dry erase cleaner or write over it with an IdeaPaint WRITE dry erase marker or Expo BOLD dry erase marker and erase with a clean, dry microfiber cloth - like IdeaPaint ERASE microfiber cloths - or other gentle eraser material.
How should I clean and maintain my IdeaPaint surface?
For daily cleaning, IdeaPaint ERASE microfiber cloths or standard dry erase erasers are sufficient. Because marker ink solvents naturally build up and cause a residual film over time, periodic cleaning is recommended. For thorough cleaning, IdeaPaint CLEANER is an environmentally safe, non-abrasive spray cleaner that will clean and restore your IdeaPaint surface to be an ink-free surface.
I have some stubborn ink stains on my IdeaPaint surface. What do I do?
Dampen a microfiber cloth with water or IdeaPaint CLEANER to remove stuborn ink stains. Remember, IdeaPaint gets better with age.
How soon can I use my IdeaPaint surface?
IdeaPaint CREATE will be ready to initially write on after 4 days. IdeaPaint PRO and HOME will be ready to write on after 7 days. If you use it before these days, it will explode! Just kidding, but you will see better erasing performance as your IdeaPaint surface ages - even after the initial cure period.
Can I coat IdeaPaint over magnetic paint?
Most magnetic paints and primers inherently have a rough profile (from the ground up filament that is found in the product), which makes them less suitable as a base coat for IdeaPaint. In addition, most magnetic paints and primers are quite weak, and only work with a few types of magnets, so you would need to apply several magnetic base coats to reliably achieve the desired effect. A cost-effective option is mounting magnetic strips on the top of your IdeaPaint surface, or, simply painting a metallic substrate.
If you need more help, please give us a call at (617) 714-1050.
