For all those times that you told the kids not to write on the walls, scolding them for doodles left magically by markers, now Sherwin-Williams has created Dry Erase 2K Waterborne Clear Gloss. In other words, go crazy, kids. The Dry Erase coating transforms a wall into a surface for messages and artistic expression and is on display at the International Builders' Show.
Formulated exclusively for professional paint contractors to apply, Dry Erase can be put on nearly any painted surface and over any color, according to the manufacturer, leaving a clear gloss finish that wipes clean and lasts for years. You can even have just a chalkboard-size space of your wall painted with this coating. Dry Erase will cost around $1.75 per square foot, so a 20-square foot area would be $35 plus labor, says Karl Schmitt, vice president of marketing research and design for the company. Dry Erase is available starting February 1. Schmitt says this coating has less than 100 grams of VOCs per liter, or volatile organic compounds, and gives off fewer odors than other dry-erase coatings, adding that the odor is similar to regular paint.
Have something to say but would rather not scribble on your walls? Express yourself by painting your walls a new color. It's a fast and inexpensive way to freshen up a space. Our latest Ratings of 65 interior paints can help you find the best paint for the surface. Most are claimed to have 50 grams of VOCs or less per liter. And here's something to write home about: The most expensive paint tested was not the best.
