FAQ - Cleaning

LCSII – Low Gloss and Standard Gloss Markerboards

Claridge Products and Equipment stands behind every product they make; we are confident that with the proper care and maintenance, our products are the most durable of any in the industry today. Please take time to read and follow the guidelines we've outlined to ensure that your visual display surfaces will reach their full potential for the life of the product.

Initial Preparation

1. Removal of Protective Film —Every porcelain markerboard will be delivered with a protective film on the surface to protect it during transit. Once you install your board and are ready to put it to use, you must do the following:
   • REMOVE the protective covering.
   • We recommend that you use a "utility" knife and carefully trace around the inside edge of the trim. You should do this around the entire perimeter of the board.
   • Once this is complete, carefully peel the film back and away from the board.


2. Initial Preparatory Cleaning —In order to ensure that your surface will function properly, it is extremely important to properly clean the board prior to its initial use.
   • Using a clean, dry cloth and a non-abrasive liquid cleanser, gently clean the entire board to loosen any residue from the board.
   • Using a dry cloth, wipe the entire surface to remove all dirt and residue from step one.
   • Using clean water, rinse the entire board.
   • Using a dry towel, wipe the entire board dry.

Important Note: The rinsing and drying steps are extremely important and skipping these steps may cause underperformance of your product.

Daily Use, Care and Maintenance

Porcelain markerboards are much like glass and can be maintained in a very similar fashion. They may be cleaned as often as required and will not be damaged as long as the proper cleaning methods are used. Here are a few tips to keep your Claridge Markerboard in optimal condition:

• Use the proper cleaners. We recommend using clean water or an ammoniated cleaner such as Windex®.


• Use the proper markers. All dry erase markers will write legibly on a Claridge porcelain markerboard, but not all will erase properly due to their composition. We recommend the use of Claridge LCS markers or a similar solvent-based marker. Low odor markers, which are water based, do not perform as well due to the increased drying time and the more intense bond between the ink and the surface. Use of low order markers will lead to "ghosting" even with proper cleaning.


• Clean Regularly. If you use your board daily, we recommend that you clean the surface at least twice per week. In addition, it is important to know that leaving ink on the board for an extended period of time can lead to "ghosting". We recommend that you erase your board on a regular basis. If this is not possible, it may be necessary to clean your board following the steps outlined above to return the surface to its original condition.


• Removing Permanent Marker. It is not the end of the world and it can be fixed. Please follow these simple steps to restore your board's appearance.
  • Moisten a clean, dry cloth with isopropyl alcohol. (Use less alcohol for chalkboards.)
  • Wipe the board in a circular motion to loosen marker residue.
  • Rinse with clear water.
  • Dry the board with a clean cloth.
  • Repeat these steps as often as necessary to remove all residues.

Chalkboards - (Vitracite porcelain enamel steel)

Initial Preparatory Cleaning

In order to ensure that your surface will function properly, it is important to properly clean the board prior to its initial use.

• Using a clean, dry cloth and a non-abrasive liquid cleanser, gently clean the entire board to loosen any residue from the board.
• Using a dry cloth, wipe the entire surface to remove all dirt and residue from step one.
• Using clean water, rinse the entire board.
• Using a dry towel, wipe the entire board dry.

Important Note: The rinsing and drying steps are extremely important and skipping these steps may cause underperformance of your product.

Daily Use, Care and Maintenance

• Porcelain Enamel Steel Chalkboards (Vitracite) do not require regular washings and should not be washed daily. NOTE: Do not use aerosol spray-type chalkboard cleaners on Vitracite chalkboards.


• The Vitracite chalkboard surface may write and erase more efficiently after a "chalking-in" process. This process is easy to do and yields outstanding results.
  • Make sure the chalkboard surface is completely dry.
  • Using the flat side of a pure white, good grade, dustless chalk product; "chalk" the entire surface.
  • Using an all felt eraser, in a circular motion, work the chalk into the surface of the board.
  • Clean the surface with a good quality, dry chamois or soft cotton cloth. A faint "chalked-in" look should now be visible. This is normal for a properly cleaned chalkboard surface.

Stubborn Stains

Persistent buildup on Vitracite chalkboard surface may be removed with an ordinary kitchen cleanser such as Ajax or Comet. (DO NOT use abrasive cleaners on a markerboard surface.)

• Wash the board with your selected cleaner.
• Rinse thoroughly using clean water.
• Dry the surface with a good quality, dry chamois or soft cotton cloth.
• You may need to "chalk-in" the surface once you have cleaned it in this fashion.

Tack Surfaces

Claridge Cork

Wash with household soap or mild detergent to remove dirt and grime. Rinse, remove excess water and allow board to dry.

Stubborn stains and soil such as hair oil, lipstick, colored crayon, tape marks, etc. may be removed with cleaning fluids, alcohol or WD-40®. (Always follow proper safety procedures when using solvents.) Abrasive and/or alkaline cleaners should be avoided.

Tan Nucork

Soil may be removed by lightly sanding with very fine sandpaper or by erasing with art gum. We do not recommend washing.

Fabricork

Washable, stain-resistant vinyl surface cleans easily with household soap, detergent or non-abrasive cleanser. Avoid harsh abrasives as they may cause dulling of the vinyl surface.

Hook-Fab and Designer Fabric

Lint, dust and other particles that may adhere to the Hook-Fab surface or Designer Fabric surface may be removed with a clothes brush or with a "tacky" surface, such as the back side of cellophane tape.

Dirty spots may be removed with a sponge and a common household suds detergent or Woolite®.

Grease stains or wax crayons should be first spot-cleaned with a lighter fluid containing naphtha to remove the solvent soluble matter. Any remaining stain can then be removed by shampooing, using a household upholstery cleaner.

Do not over saturate Hook-Fab or Designer Fabric surface with too much water, detergent or upholstery cleaner. Doing so may cause damage to the backing under the fabric.