How to Install Your Think Board

Watch the right video before you start. A few minutes of prep makes the install much easier.

Before You Install

Watch your video first

Find the install video that matches your surface below and watch it start to finish before you peel anything.

Clean and dry the surface

Wipe away dust, grease, and residue, then let it dry completely so the film bonds well.

Wait 30 days after fresh paint

New paint needs about a month to fully cure before you apply your Think Board.

Grab a helper for large boards

An extra set of hands keeps big boards straight and bubble-free.

Confirm your surface is smooth and indoor

Think Board works best on smooth, indoor, temperature-controlled surfaces. See Recommended Surfaces below if you are unsure.

Use the wet install when recommended

For glass, metal, or resurfacing super-smooth surfaces, follow the Wet Install video for the best, most forgiving result.

Quick reference: the 5 steps

  1. 1. Find your space
    Choose a smooth, clean, indoor spot and confirm it is a recommended surface.
  2. 2. Clean the surface
    Wipe it down and let it dry completely so the film can grip.
  3. 3. Get a helper
    For anything large, a second person keeps the board square and smooth.
  4. 4. Apply slowly from the center out
    Smooth from the middle toward the edges to push out air bubbles as you go. Slow and steady wins here.
  5. 5. Enjoy your new Think Board
    Grab a marker and start writing. You did it!

Choose Your Install Video

Pick the video that matches your surface, then watch it all the way through before you start. Not sure which one? Start with the Wall install for most smooth walls, or message us and we will point you to the right one.

By surface

  • Wall install

    For anyone putting a standard Think Board on a smooth painted wall. This is the default install for most home, office, and classroom customers.

    The standard install for most walls and smooth surfaces.

  • Whiteboard / chalkboard resurfacing

    For schools and offices with old ghosted whiteboards or chalkboards they want writable-white again without replacing the board.

    How to resurface an old whiteboard or convert a chalkboard.

  • Magnetic resurfacing

    For anyone resurfacing a magnetic whiteboard or chalkboard that needs to stay magnetic afterward.

    Resurfacing a magnetic board so it keeps its magnetism.

  • Table resurfacing

    For teachers and parents turning desks and tables into writable surfaces, a two-person job on big tables.

    Turn a desk or table into a writable surface.

  • Cork and specialty surface resurfacing

    For classrooms covering crumbling cork boards or other specialty surfaces (a 25-second before-and-after).

    Covering a cork board.

  • All other surfaces

    For renters, students, and tinkerers putting Think Board somewhere unusual: fridges, windows, clipboards, binders.

    Tips for less common surfaces.

By technique and product

  • Wet install (glass, metal and ultra-smooth)

    For installs on super-smooth surfaces — glass, windows, mirrors, stainless steel — where the forgiving wet method is recommended.

    Use on super-smooth surfaces (glass, windows, plexiglass, whiteboards, chalkboards, stainless steel). Special note: Clear Think Boards on glass or stainless steel may look foggy for 2-3 days until the moisture from the wet install dries.

  • Setting up your Think Board X

    For Think Board X owners who scan their notes with the Rocketbook app. Keep all four corners intact.

    Install your Think Board X, then scan with the Rocketbook app. Do not trim a Think Board X - you need all 4 corners for scanning.

Recommended Surfaces

Think Board's standard film is designed for smooth, indoor surfaces. Here is where it shines and where to hold off.

Works best on

  • Smooth walls
  • Painted drywall
  • Wooden desks and tables
  • Doors
  • Whiteboards (resurfacing)
  • Chalkboards (resurfacing)
  • Glass (please see the "Wet Install" video)
  • Metal and stainless steel (please see the "Wet Install" video)
  • Inside, temperature-controlled environments

Avoid for the standard Think Board film

  • Textured walls
  • Unpainted drywall
  • Brick
  • Cinder block
  • Porous, textured paneling
  • Outside or non-temperature-controlled environments

Care & Cleaning

Keep your Think Board looking new with a few simple habits. Gentle is always the way to go.

Use a microfiber cloth. Your magic cloth handles everyday erasing.

A little water for stubborn marks. If markings are not coming off dry, a small amount of water does the trick.

Skip spray cleaners and foam erasers. Whiteboard spray cleaners and old-school foam erasers damage all whiteboards - avoid them.

Permanent marker by accident? Rubbing alcohol (or hairspray) takes it right off. Magic Erasers and hairspray also remove marks on walls.

Do not use Expo Bold on non-Premium products. Those chemicals are too strong for standard Think Board film. (Expo Bold is fine on Premium boards.)

Get Help

We are here to help

We are here to help before, during, or after your install. Hit a snag? It happens, and it is almost always an easy fix. Reach out any way you like.

Send a photo or video

Show us what is happening and we will tell you exactly what to do. Email it to hello@think-board.com.

Live chat

Tap the chat bubble in the bottom-right corner of your screen for a quick answer.

Email, phone or text

Email hello@think-board.com, call 617-657-9616, or text/iMessage us at +1 617-657-9616.

Leave a Review

Bought on Amazon?

Share your experience on our Amazon store. Review on Amazon.

Bought from our site?

Leave us a Google review - it means the world. Review on Google.