What is Chalk Paint

Chalk paint – it's all in the name – a descriptive term for paint with chalk as an important ingredient. Together with water, pigment and resins, chalk is a filler which when added to water, pigments and resins creates a proud structure which is great to use for decorative techniques such as sanding through, crackling and many other ageing techniques.Just like other products, the quality of the ingredients makes all the difference; Autentico Vintage is simply the best paint for all decorative techniques. Comprised of a palette of more than 150 colours with outstanding coverage and adherence, Autentico Vintage has been the leader in “chalk paints” for many years. 

As much as we love painting furniture, sometimes the furniture we want to paint was never meant to be painted! These pieces need to be primed with Autentico Stain Blocking Primer or Autentico Undercoat. If the piece of furniture is of a dark wood, large knots or has a shiny or melamine surface, a primer is recommended. If your project is on the larger scale for example walls and ceilings make sure you understand the surface you are tackling. If you have concerns about uneven suction or adherence, use Autentico Primer to prepare your project properly. 

 

Are Autentico paints child safe?

Our Autentico Vintage, Velvet, Versante Matt and Versante Eggshell ranges are EN71-3 compliant which means our paints are safe to use on children's furniture and other juvenile products.

Wax is not a child safe product and therefore our furniture waxes are not EN71-3 compliant. However, Autentico Sealer is child safe and is EN71-3 compliant and it can be used with Autentico Vintage provided the piece has been primed prior to painting.

Versante Matt and Versante Eggshell have a built-in sealant which forms its own protective layer, so no need to add a sealer! Autentico Vintage is a soft, porous paint which creates an open system perfect for decorative techniques. As it is an open system it needs closing with a wax or a varnish. Autentico Matt Varnish provides extra protection as it is stain resistant. Autentico Furniture Waxes, provide decorative protection for furniture. Autentico Sealer is made for protecting walls and furniture painted in Autentico Venice and Velvet wall paint.  

All our products have a fantastic adherence, however we recommend giving the furniture a slight sand to create a key with a grit sandpaper suitable for your project. After sanding, clean with Autentico Omniclean to remove any dirt and grease and ensure the surface is completely dry before painting. If the furniture is a very dark, old wood or a shiny surface you may need to sand more to take the top coat off. Some projects and products prefer a base coat of Undercoat or Primer. We recommend applying a coat of Autentico Primer prior to painting with Autentico Eggshell.

The first thing you do before applying the paint is to give the tin a good shake and stir. If you haven’t used the paint for a while, turn the tin upside down and leave for 20 minutes, then shake and stir before using.