What is chalk paint? Is it magic?

Chalk paint has definitely conquered the world of furniture paint. Chalk paint is also used in many other ecological and sustainable projects.

In this article we take a closer look at this phenomenon, how it is made and what to look out for when buying it.

It is important to know what ingredients chalk paint is made from.

There is still a lot of confusion about this and from time to time very strange stories appear about paint in general and chalk paint in particular.

We have been producing high quality chalk paint, Autentico Vintage, for almost 20 years and to clarify what chalk paint really is, we would like to give you more explanation below.

In general, paint consists of the following five ingredients:

1. Pigments: These are the dyes that give paint its final color. There are organic, inorganic and artificial pigments. It would take too long to go into detail on this now. We will write another article on this subject soon. Colors, however, can be very complex to make. At Autentico, we often use as many as six different types of pigments to obtain a particular color.

2. Solids/fillers: These are not only substances that give the paint “body,” but they also play a very important role in the final quality and appearance of the paint.

3. Binder: this is the “glue” that holds all the components of the paint together. The binder also plays a decisive role in the formation of the film during the evaporation of water (the carrier, see point 4).

4. Carrier/solvent:  Ensures that the pigment, binder and solids from the can reach the surface. This solvent is obviously very important, and in chalk paint, of course, only water is used for this purpose.

5. Additives: These are agents to prevent bacterial growth in the paint can as well as substances that prevent other undesirable reactions in the industrial paint production process.

What makes chalk paint so special?

There are two main ingredients in chalk paint: the solid or filler and the binder. In addition, the ratio of the solid to the carrier (water) is important. This is where major differences in quality can be seen. That is, the quality, the end result. For the paint manufacturer, but also for the customer. Our customer.

When you think of chalk paint, you expect it to contain chalk.

That's right. A good chalk paint uses chalk, or calcium carbonate, as a filler. Chalk is perfect for this purpose because it has a high filler content and once dry gives a powdery result.

Unfortunately, for cost reasons, other, sometimes cheaper fillers are all too often used. The most common are barium sulfate and kaolin. Of course, if chalk is not used as a filler, it cannot be called chalk paint. Unfortunately, this happens all too often and you often find them in discount stores. At Autentico, we use about 35% pure fine chalk in Autentico Vintage Chalk Paint. A real chalk paint.

Actually, the binder used in chalk paint is just as important. A true chalk paint dries powdery and porous. This is necessary for all kinds of decorative techniques. Think of sanding to make underlying layers visible or to age and create cracks. This would not work with a very strong binder. So the trick is to find a balance between the coverage, powdery appearance and permeability of the binder. This combination determines whether it is true chalk paint.

Finally, there is another factor that greatly affects the quality of chalk paint. This is the ratio of the solid to the carrier (water).

Higher quality paints use more solids, usually between 35-40%, depending on the gloss level. The percentage of solids per volume indicates how much paint remains on the surface after the liquids have evaporated. The overall performance of the paint depends directly on the composition of the solids. By the way, the fact that a paint contains a lot of solids does not always mean that the product is of high quality. It also depends on the type of solids and the type of binder. But we've talked about that before.

As you can see, chalk paint is a matter of balancing several factors. This balance and the craftsmanship of the manufacturer determine whether we are dealing with good and especially authentic chalk paint.

Just compare a loaf of bread from the supermarket with a loaf from an artisan baker who bakes his bread early in the morning with love and skill. You can see and taste the difference The same applies to chalk paint.

Is chalk paint magical? No, it is simply the result of true craftsmanship.

Frequently asked questions:

Is chalk paint a modern invention?

No. Chalk has been used as a filler in paint for centuries. The same goes for other ingredients such as mud, sand or clay. People even used to use their own blood as a binder. One of the most famous examples is Michelangelo's work in the Sistine Chapel in Rome. This famous Renaissance artist painted his life's work between 1508 and 1512 and used mainly chalk and lime. Anyone who now claims to have invented chalk paint is historically wrong. What is new is the modern balance between the various ingredients. In this way, stability and reliability are achieved, which is important when producing chalk paint on a large scale.

Is it true that sanding is never necessary?

No, but good chalk paint adheres very well to all kinds of surfaces. But it is a myth that chalk paint never needs to be sanded. If the surface is sufficiently rough and clean, sanding is usually not necessary. This is because adhesion occurs through a chemical reaction in which molecules form a net, so to speak, that can adhere well to the rough surface. If the filling ability is also in order, you can see that on such surfaces the adhesion is good and thus sanding was not necessary.

But if you paint a very smooth surface with chalk paint, then the roughness is missing and the mesh cannot adhere well, if at all. Think of glass or melamine objects. Chalk paint may look good, but it will eventually peel off after a while, or at the very least it will be very susceptible to scratches just from use.

So it is a fairy tale and is often used only for commercial purposes. By the way, sanding does not have to be a dirty job. You don't usually need a sander, either. Just rough up the surface with a piece of sandpaper. This will quadruple your bonding surface! This makes the chalk paint adhere extremely well. The mesh adheres perfectly and you can be proud of the long-lasting result.

Should chalk paint always be protected with wax or varnish?

Yes, because classic chalk paint is very porous. This was done on purpose to allow for decorative techniques. For example, authentic chalk paint can be easily sanded or cracked. If it is not protected, it will leave fingerprints, such as when you rub against it. To prevent this, protect classic chalk paint with wax or varnish. There are many possibilities. On this website you will find an extensive collection of waxes, sealants and varnishes.By the way, there are also chalk paints that do not need additional protection. This is because this type of modified chalk paint uses a different binder. This binder has hybrid properties, regulates moisture and is even resistant to UV rays. This is not a classic chalk paint, but a more modern version. For this, we at Autentico have our Autentico Versante. We have worked for years to develop this paint. It is still an authentic chalk paint, but now with a modern look. It often needs no additional protection and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Beautiful, isn't it?

Can you make chalk paint yourself?

It could be, because people did the same thing hundreds of years ago. Back then people were not so concerned about the consistency of colors, although Michelangelo would disagree. The biggest problem, however, is finding the right combination of ingredients. You can find all kinds of recipes on the Internet, but none give satisfactory results. Certainly not in the long run. There are even companies marketing products that claim to be able to turn latex paint into chalk paint. After reading this article, you will know that this is complete nonsense.

Is there a difference between chalk paint and lime paint?

Yes, there are important differences. Chalk paint forms a protective film through a chemical reaction between the binder and the support. This film determines the quality of the paint.

Lime paint does not form a film Lime paint dries by carbonation. It absorbs CO₂ from the air to return the paint to its original state. And that's what lime is. It is a very intriguing process and we will blog about it in the near future.

Is there anything else I should pay attention to before painting with chalk paint?

Yes, always make sure you buy good quality chalk paint. There is nothing more frustrating than ruining your work because you used poor quality chalk paint or because it is not actually chalk paint at all. Now you know what to look for. Also, buy your materials from a manufacturer or distributor you can trust. At Autentico we have been making top quality chalk paint for almost 20 years. We have won many awards with it. So buy original quality. For the price, you don't have to compromise.