The erasability of liquid chalk markings depends on the ink type, surface material, drying time, and environmental conditions, and the cleaning solution needs to be selected based on the specific scenario. The following is a systematic analysis:
I. Core factors affecting erasability
1. Ink type
Ink type Main ingredients Characteristics after drying Difficulty of erasing Typical application scenarios
Water-based ink Water-based resin + pigment Soluble in water, soft coating ★☆☆ (very easy) Teaching whiteboard, children's blackboard painting
Alcohol-soluble ink Ethanol/isopropyl alcohol + resin Medium water resistance, requires alcohol to soften ★★☆ (medium) Glass window advertising, metal signboards
Acrylic ink Acrylic resin + pigment Forms a waterproof hard film, requires a strong solvent ★★★☆ (more difficult) Outdoor long-term display, industrial equipment marking
UV-curing ink Photoinitiator + monomer resin Requires ultraviolet curing to form a high-strength coating ★★★★★ (very difficult) High-end art installations, permanent markings
2. Surface material
Highly absorbent surface (such as paper, uncoated wood):
Inerasable: The ink penetrates into the material, and physical wiping is ineffective.
Smooth non-porous surfaces (such as glass, enamel whiteboards, and acrylic):
High erasability: ink only adheres to the surface and can be removed by solvent or mechanical friction.
Special coated surfaces (such as wipeable whiteboard film and anti-fouling glass):
Erasability depends on the coating: special cleaning agents (such as whiteboard cleaning spray) are required.
3. Drying time
Undried (≤5 minutes):
Water-based/alcohol-soluble inks: can be wiped directly with a wet cloth or paper towel.
Semi-dried (5-30 minutes):
Auxiliary solvent required: wipe after moistening with alcohol or detergent.
Completely dried (＞30 minutes):
Acrylic ink: acetone or a special stripping agent is required;
UV-cured ink usually cannot be erased, and physical polishing is required.
4. Environmental conditions
Temperature and humidity:
High temperature (>30°C) or high humidity (>70% RH) will accelerate the curing of ink and increase the difficulty of erasing.
UV exposure:
Alcohol-soluble/acrylic inks are easily oxidized and hardened in the sun and require stronger solvent treatment.
II. Erasing solutions for different scenarios
1. Temporary marking (such as teaching whiteboards, meeting minutes)
Ink type: water-based or erasable alcohol-soluble ink.
Erasure method:
Tools: whiteboard eraser, microfiber soft cloth, wet paper towel.
Steps:
After marking, let it stand for 5 minutes until it is completely dry.
Lightly press the marked area with a wet cloth, and wipe it in one direction after the ink film softens.
Spray a small amount of clean water on the remaining area and wipe it repeatedly.
Note:
Avoid using paper towels or rough cloth to prevent scratching the board surface.
2. Commercial display (such as window advertising, event logo)
Ink type: alcohol-soluble or acrylic ink.
Erasure method:
Tools: alcohol cotton pads, glass cleaner, and a nano sponge.
Steps:
Cover the marked area with alcohol cotton pads and let it stand for 30 seconds until the ink film softens.
Gently wipe in the vertical direction to avoid lateral friction that causes ink to spread.
Use glass cleaner + a nano sponge to polish stubborn residues.
Note:
Acrylic ink residue needs to be treated with acetone, but it needs to be tested in an inconspicuous place first to prevent corrosion of the surface.
3. Industrial/outdoor signs (such as equipment markings and safety warnings)
Ink type: acrylic or UV curing ink.
Erasure method:
Tools: acetone, industrial cleaners (such as Goo Gone), and plastic scrapers.
Steps:
Soak the marked area with acetone and let it stand for 1-2 minutes.
Use a plastic scraper (such as the edge of a credit card) to gently scrape the ink film to avoid metal tools scratching the surface.
Residual colloid is treated with industrial cleaners for secondary treatment.
Note:
Wear protective gloves during operation to prevent acetone from contacting the skin.
4. Art creation (such as blackboard painting, glass decoration)
Ink type: water-based or fluorescent ink.
Erasure method:
Tools: magic eraser, baby wipes, steam cleaner.
Steps:
Water-based ink marking: Use a magic eraser to gently wipe vertically, avoiding lateral friction.
Fluorescent ink residue: Use a steam cleaner to soften it at high temperature and wipe it.
Notes:
Avoid using cleaning agents containing bleach to prevent fading.
3. Comparison of erasing effects and tool recommendations
Erasure difficulty Ink type Recommended tools Applicable scenarios Time-consuming Residual risk
★☆☆ Water-based ink Whiteboard wipe, wet cloth Teaching whiteboard, children's blackboard painting <1 minute Very low
★★☆ Alcohol-soluble ink Alcohol cotton pads, glass cleaner Glass window advertising, event logo 2-3 minutes Low
★★★☆ Acrylic ink, acetone, plastic scraper Industrial equipment marking, outdoor display 5-8 minutes, medium
★★★★★ UV curing ink Sandpaper polishing, laser cleaning High-end art installations (usually inerasable) >15 minutes High
4. Common misunderstandings and risk warnings
❌ Misunderstanding 1: Wipe dry marks directly with a dry cloth.
Risk: Water-based ink may be pressed into the micropores of the board surface, forming a permanent shadow; acrylic ink will scratch the surface.
Correct approach: Wet the marked area first, and then wipe it after the ink film softens.
❌ Myth 2: Mixing cleaning agents
Risk: Alcohol and chlorine-containing cleaning agents may produce toxic gases; acetone may cause corrosion when in contact with plastic surfaces.
Correct approach: Use a single solvent and use it in a ventilated environment.
❌ Myth 3: Violent scraping
Risk: Metal tools scratch the enamel/glass surface, causing subsequent marking to bleed.
Correct approach: Use a plastic scraper or chemical solvent to soften the ink film.
V. Preventive suggestions
Test compatibility:
Test the erasability of the ink and the surface in an inconspicuous place to avoid being unable to clean after large-scale use.
Choose erasable ink.
Prioritize the purchase of products marked "erasable," "washable," or "non-permanent."
Control drying time:
Try to handle the marks to be erased within 24 hours after drying to avoid aging of the ink film.
Use protective coating.
Apply an erasable whiteboard film to smooth surfaces such as glass to reduce the difficulty of cleaning.
Summary
Short-term, temporary marking: water-based ink + wet cloth/whiteboard eraser.
Commercial display, medium durability requirements: alcohol-soluble ink + alcohol/glass cleaner.
Industrial/outdoor long-term marking: acrylic ink + acetone/industrial cleaner (need to weigh the cost of erasure).
UV-cured ink: usually inerasable, it must be clearly designed as a permanent mark.
Core principles:
Matching ink to surface: smooth non-porous surface + erasable ink = high erasability.
Timeliness management: timely cleaning can avoid the difficulty of erasing caused by the curing of the ink film.
