Turn my wall into a dry-wipe area?

December 23, 2010 2:34 PM

I'd love to turn a large area (3m by 1m) of my wall into effectively a whiteboard, by covering it in some kind of transparent film. What's the cheapest way of doing this? Essentially, I want something very similar to this but I can't use anything like paint, since I'm in university accommodation

I've sampled a couple of thin, transparent polypropylene sheets from my local art shop and they're exactly the sort of thing i'm looking for, only a little small (I'd like to do the whole thing with one sheet ideally) and a little expensive.

I'd also appreciate advice on how to attach this film to my wall in a non-destructive way that my accommodation will allow.

Cheers, Luke

posted by insperatum to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

There are a ton of peel-and-stick dry-erase options here in the US; maybe your local art shop can source them from more local vendors?
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:43 PM on December 23, 2010

Sorry, I meant to link you to Optima above, not Wallies. The Optima "Easy" really does remove without tearing wallpaper or paint.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:47 PM on December 23, 2010

This is the product with approximately the dimensions you want. Also look into showerboard, which works as a whiteboard, is nicely transportable, and can be gotten cheaply at Home Depot.
posted by foursentences at 2:53 PM on December 23, 2010 [2 favorites]

WhiteyBoards are a peal and stick instant white board that you can cut into whatever dimensions you need/want.
posted by royalsong at 2:54 PM on December 23, 2010 [1 favorite]

I've built tables topped with showerboard, as foursentences suggests. It's really the best solution as it's cheap and easy to hang.
posted by TheNewWazoo at 3:51 PM on December 23, 2010

There's whiteboard paint--paint the wall and repaint when you move out. Or paint a big old piece of something and hang it.
posted by Ideefixe at 3:54 PM on December 23, 2010

I made a how-to about making a DIY whiteboard. A full piece of showerboard [4x8 feet] was only about $40.
posted by jessamyn at 4:14 PM on December 23, 2010 [4 favorites]

If you're not committed to a film to put on the wall, you could see if your university has surplus sales at which you might be able to pick up a used whiteboard.
posted by thatdawnperson at 5:14 PM on December 23, 2010

yep, showerboard is the cheapest way.
posted by rhizome at 5:54 PM on December 23, 2010

Showerboard. I'm in college as well and this is what I used. At Lowes it was called "White Panelboard". Just explain what you're doing, and the people at the hardware store should be able to help.

I got a 4'x8' piece, as Jessamyn mentioned, and they cut it for free into smaller pieces. Now I have a whiteboard desk, with a whiteboard in front of it as well as the largest whiteboard on my door in my hall. :)

For me it was about USD$13.50.

I hung it with strips like these and it worked out very well.

Overall, this method works great!
posted by 47triple2 at 12:19 PM on December 24, 2010