battle mat problem [Archive] - Wizards Community

battle mat problem [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
lrellok
06-24-07, 11:53 PM I recently purchased a battle mat (my third, i hate sharpies). When ever i write on it, the lines fade to near invisible. they erase normaly, so its not absorbing, and happenes with new and old markers, so its not the markers (though it happened faster with the old makers). THis did not happen with my previos two mats (same manufacturer) so i am a little put out. Has anyone had this happen, and what can be done.
SokenzanMarauder
06-25-07, 12:33 AM Have you tried using a little bit of nail-polish remove on the surface? My mat does something similar and that (or water) is how I get it off.

-Gene
sarmoon
06-25-07, 12:36 AM Best thing to due (from my experience) is to purchase (if you have the larger battle mat) a 3' by 4' plastic sheet from Home Depot (or similar store) for about $15. This will make your mat literally last forever and does not distract from it's viewing surface.
mearrin69
06-25-07, 12:36 AM Dunno what's happening with your mat/markers but I do have some general advise about not using the wrong pen (perm or dry erase): Wrap the barrel of all of your 'approved' pens with several thicknesses of masking tape. Make it so thick that the pen is almost annoying to use. That way, when you pick one up, if you don't feel the tape you can just put it down again before you draw some lines that aren't going to go away.
M
Nazapan
06-25-07, 07:26 AM I got the idea from elsewhere, but I put my battlemat inside a large poster frame.

The poster frame plastic protects the battle mat and allows me to use dry erase markers without contacting the actual mat.

You don't even need a wet erase style battlemat for this set up. You can use any plain paper fold out grid that will fit inside the poster frame.
VrecknidjX
06-25-07, 08:58 AM Have you tried using a little bit of nail-polish remove on the surface?Be extremely careful using nail-polish remover on a battle mat. I wouldn't do it. Over the years, I've seen dozens of posts on different message boards where people say things like "Well, I used nail-polish remover, and it took off the marks just fine. It also removed the lines from the mat, and it removed the background color, and..."

Dave
Holy_Beholder
06-25-07, 12:42 PM Get it laminated. Then you can write on it with the markers that are good for it(Use the tape on these markers) and it never actually touches the paper.
Dnarris
06-25-07, 01:12 PM Yup, I laminated my mat 8 years ago and it's still good as new.

You have to replace the laminate sometimes if you use it a lot, but that's no big deal.
SokenzanMarauder
06-27-07, 12:39 AM Be extremely careful using nail-polish remover on a battle mat. I wouldn't do it. Over the years, I've seen dozens of posts on different message boards where people say things like "Well, I used nail-polish remover, and it took off the marks just fine. It also removed the lines from the mat, and it removed the background color, and..."

Dave
Well, my mat is laminated so it'd have to chew through a bit of plastic first...

-Gene
Rulebook
06-27-07, 08:27 AM we just abandoned the idea of battle maps, and proxy out our own caves and surfaces on tables/floors 1" = 5'

eliminates those horrible diagonal step rules as well. everything is all-directional!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
lrellok 06-24-07, 11:53 PM	I recently purchased a battle mat (my third, i hate sharpies). When ever i write on it, the lines fade to near invisible. they erase normaly, so its not absorbing, and happenes with new and old markers, so its not the markers (though it happened faster with the old makers). THis did not happen with my previos two mats (same manufacturer) so i am a little put out. Has anyone had this happen, and what can be done.
SokenzanMarauder 06-25-07, 12:33 AM	Have you tried using a little bit of nail-polish remove on the surface? My mat does something similar and that (or water) is how I get it off. -Gene
sarmoon 06-25-07, 12:36 AM	Best thing to due (from my experience) is to purchase (if you have the larger battle mat) a 3' by 4' plastic sheet from Home Depot (or similar store) for about $15. This will make your mat literally last forever and does not distract from it's viewing surface.
mearrin69 06-25-07, 12:36 AM	Dunno what's happening with your mat/markers but I do have some general advise about not using the wrong pen (perm or dry erase): Wrap the barrel of all of your 'approved' pens with several thicknesses of masking tape. Make it so thick that the pen is almost annoying to use. That way, when you pick one up, if you don't feel the tape you can just put it down again before you draw some lines that aren't going to go away. M
Nazapan 06-25-07, 07:26 AM	I got the idea from elsewhere, but I put my battlemat inside a large poster frame. The poster frame plastic protects the battle mat and allows me to use dry erase markers without contacting the actual mat. You don't even need a wet erase style battlemat for this set up. You can use any plain paper fold out grid that will fit inside the poster frame.
VrecknidjX 06-25-07, 08:58 AM	Have you tried using a little bit of nail-polish remove on the surface?Be extremely careful using nail-polish remover on a battle mat. I wouldn't do it. Over the years, I've seen dozens of posts on different message boards where people say things like "Well, I used nail-polish remover, and it took off the marks just fine. It also removed the lines from the mat, and it removed the background color, and..." Dave
Holy_Beholder 06-25-07, 12:42 PM	Get it laminated. Then you can write on it with the markers that are good for it(Use the tape on these markers) and it never actually touches the paper.
Dnarris 06-25-07, 01:12 PM	Yup, I laminated my mat 8 years ago and it's still good as new. You have to replace the laminate sometimes if you use it a lot, but that's no big deal.
SokenzanMarauder 06-27-07, 12:39 AM	Be extremely careful using nail-polish remover on a battle mat. I wouldn't do it. Over the years, I've seen dozens of posts on different message boards where people say things like "Well, I used nail-polish remover, and it took off the marks just fine. It also removed the lines from the mat, and it removed the background color, and..." Dave Well, my mat is laminated so it'd have to chew through a bit of plastic first... -Gene
Rulebook 06-27-07, 08:27 AM	we just abandoned the idea of battle maps, and proxy out our own caves and surfaces on tables/floors 1" = 5' eliminates those horrible diagonal step rules as well. everything is all-directional!