Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to prime when I use the chalk paint?
Our spray chalk paint can be applied to untreated wood without the need for primer. If you want to use it on a varnished surface we recommend that you key the surface first by lightly rubbing it with sandpaper. If you are using our chalk paint on a non-porous surface like plastic or metal using our spray primer will help the paint to bond to the surface.
Can Pinty Plus chalk finish paint be used for projects that are going to be left outside?
Yes, you can use our chalk finish paint for exterior projects, providing you finish them with a spray varnish to provide protection from water. There are three finishes of varnish, matt, satin and gloss. They all provide the same level of protection, but just offer a different finished appearance. The matt varnish is your best choice if you want to maintain the appearance of chalk paint.
Do I need to wear a mask when I’m using your chalk paint?
Our chalk paint is water based and low emissions, if you are using it on a ventilated area you will not need a mask. Also our arts and craft paint aQua 2017 has been specifically developed for use in areas with poor ventilation and its precision nozzle makes it ideal for use indoors
Do I need to finish my chalk paint project with a wax or varnish?
Applying our Pinty Plus spray wax or varnish to a surface which has been painted with Pinty Plus chalk finish paint will protect it and help it last longer. It may need protecting if it’s a surface which is going to experience a lot of wear and tear or contact, like a chair, or if it is going to come into contact with liquids, like the surface of a table. However if you are planning to spray a picture frame and hag it on the wall where it will stay untouched you can skp this step.
What is the difference between wax and varnish?
Like all furniture wax, Pinty Plus spray wax will need to be polished once applied and intermittently reapplied to feed the surface. Varnish is a one time application. The choice between the two is entirely personal preference as people tend to have a finish they prefer.
Does chalk paint run?
If you follow the advice in our “how to use chalk paint” video our chalk paint will not run. The key to successful application is :
(1) Light coats
(2) Keep your hand moving across the surface
(3) Keep the can 25-30cm from the surface
What is the difference Between Alkyd (Basic Range) & Acrylic (Evolution Range) Paint?
Where an external surface requires coating, if the surface is sound and the weather conditions favourable, an acrylic (like Evolution) will generally give the better performance; if the surface is doubtful an alkyd undercoat (Basic) followed by an acrylic is a very good system. Read more about the differences between these two paints here
How much will one can of Pinty Plus chalk finish paint cover?
One can will cover 2m2 which is roughly equivalent to a dining chair. However coverage can vary hugely depending on the way it is applied and factors like spraying outside in a breeze. You generally need between half and a third of the quantity of varnish/wax as you do paint. This is because you generally apply 2-3 light coats of paint and only one of varnish/wax
Will the varnish make my chalk paint project go yellow?
The chalk paint varnish is clear and matt, it provides protection to the surface of you project without changing the look or colour of the chalk paint finish
Can I recycle your cans?
If empty, aerosol cans may be recyclable (local council guidelines depending). If partially full, they are treated as household hazardous waste.
How can I get a better idea of what the colours of your chalk paint range look like?
We have written a guide to our chalk paint colours which includes images of items that have been sprayed with the paint and a written description of the colours. You can read that here
Do your aerosol paints have expiration dates?
We are asked this question time after time and the answer is that generally Novasol Spray cans do not expire. The last controlled check that was made on the Pinty Plus Basic and Evolution products provided the following findings :
10 years from the date of manufacture…
BASIC Range – 96.7% still work and perform
EVOLUTION Range – 99.9% still work and perform
To clarify this further we spoke with the Industrial Director of Novasol Spray, Charles Mongay, who explained that the expiry of an aerosol spray is determined by what product is inside. However, opening the can does not affect the shelf life of the product.
He states, “The reason for these findings is that whatever the product inside, there is an area of gas that is responsible for maintaining the pressure of the pot. The special design of our aerosols means that they are constantly in a state of ‘pushing out’ as if to escape and this gives us a very interesting feature: it prevents the entry of external agents such as oxygen itself or microorganisms that can alter the product. So in respect of painting, it is the ideal way to conserve the product”.
“Most of our products do not change over time, especially oil, grease or silicone. In the case of the paints, if they spend many years without anyone touching the pot, the pigment can go to the bottom of the container and end up creating a sediment, thus clogging the tube that rises when the product comes out. For that reason we formulated specific additives to delay the process pretty much indefinitely. ”
How does the Paint Stripper Spray work?
Apply the product on the area that you wish to remove and wait a few minutes for the stripper to work its magic. Then you can remove the unwanted surface product with a cloth or with help of a scraper. The longer you leave it, the greater the result. You can repeat the process as many times as you require until the surface is ready.
In one case, when the stripper was used on wood, we only had to wait for 1 minute. However this does depend on the timber you want to clean and how many coats of the unwanted product has been applied.
The formulation of paint stripper was stronger in the past when manufacturers used harsh chemicals which were a danger to the environment. Today the new formulations are not as immediately effective as before BUT they still do their job very well. This is a SMALL inconvenience worth enduring for the sake of minimising pollution from the products we use.
Any further questions, our friendly and knowledgeable sales team can be contacted on 0044 (0)1730 887423.
