Can anyone recommend the kind of markers that you can get from
office stores or hardware stores that will work for film slates?

I can't go to film tools, I tried some from Staples one time but they didn't work well.

Thanks

Expo chisel tip dry-erase markers. Expo Original Whiteboard Markers | Dry Erase Markers for White Boards (http://www.expomarkers.com/markers/original)

For wet erase (my favorite for semi-permanent marks, like for the date or for focus wheels) Expo Vis-a-Vis fine point wet erase: Expo Vis-à-Vis Markers | Wet Erase Markers for Whiteboards and Overhead Projectors (http://www.expomarkers.com/markers/vis-a-vis)

I use the Expo original markers. They are the cleanest erasing on my slate.

The low odor versions of the markers don't erase well at all.

So I found out why they didn't work on my slate, the slate I have is old and someone used sharpie on it by accident years ago. I cleaned it off then but I can't recall how, however I think in the process I took off the coating that makes the slate dry erase.

Anyway is there a way to get that coating back or reapply it so it will work with dry erase markers properly or is a new slate the only answer?

How about something like this to cover over the writing surfaces of the slate??

Amazon.com: Scotch Dry Erase Tape, White, 1.88-Inch x 5-Yard: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Erase-White-1-88-Inch-5-Yard/dp/B00NBL3YR6)