Varieties, nuances and advantages of slate paint and varnish composition

Chalkboard paint

Slate coloring agent is a fairly new material on the paint and varnish market.

If you make such a covering on the wall in a children's room, hallway, kitchen or other rooms, then you can leave notes on it, make drawings, which can then be easily removed with a simple rag.

Often, in ordinary colloquial speech, this paint is called chalk paint - a matte coating with a rough structure and a high level of strength.

Slate-type paint was made to repair blackboards in schools, but it immediately caught the eye of designers who began using it to create original interiors. With such paintwork the room will immediately be transformed and become unusual and interesting.

In addition to its decorative function, this material is also very practical - it perfectly helps develop children and participates in the educational process.

If you add magnetic powder to this substance or apply a primer with magnetic properties to the dry coating, then magnets and metal products will also be well fixed on such a board.

This material is painted on empty walls or on wallpaper that can be painted, with minimal effort expended, but there is room for entertainment and interesting ideas.

Using chalk paint in the interior

Chalkboard paint is used very widely. Thanks to its safety, it can be used in children's educational institutions and not only for coloring blackboards on which you can draw with chalk. This type of paint is also used in cafes and offices for writing notes. At home, the material can be applied to walls in different rooms. It is especially popular in the children's room and kitchen.

On a note! Manufacturers of slate paints recommend washing the surface with exclusively clean water during the first month. Next, you can use chemical detergents, but without aggressive additives.

A slate wall in a nursery is an ideal space for a child’s learning and creative development. Children will not want to paint the walls in other rooms, having their own spacious “testing ground” for creativity. Older children can use the wall to memorize various educational material, for example, formulas, rules, tables.

In the kitchen and hallway, slate paint is usually used partially - to cover individual areas or interior items. A kitchen apron with this coating is popular: here you can write down recipes, grocery lists and menus for the day. Some types of paint can change color when heated or exposed to hot temperatures. This should be taken into account when organizing repairs. Individual items decorated with slate paint look beautiful. For example, cabinet doors, a bar counter, or even boxes for storing bulk products or flower pots.

The most popular place to use slate paint in the interior is the children's room.

In the hallway, paint is usually applied to the area near the front door in order to apply various notes and reminders to each other.

The nuances of this paint

The slate material is based on a latex substance that can be diluted with water, so the composition is not harmful to humans.

How do you get such an interesting appearance? Small iron particles are added to the composition of this material, so after complete drying the layer acts like a magnet.

To make the coating matte and look like a school board, gypsum, various modifiers, cement mortar, acrylic-based resins, marble chips, and so on are added to the product.

You can paint the surface with a regular gray compound or you can use a colored product.

Paints are available in different shades: green, blue, black, purple, white (you can use it to cover a refrigerator, for example).

To obtain an individual tone, you can take white and add the desired color to it, although most often either dark or light shades are used.

What you need for painting

Various substrates can be coated with slate.

Often the products are applied to concrete walls that were previously covered with plaster, primer mixture and putty.

The material also goes well with bases made of glass, plasterboard, wallpaper, wood, chipboard, metal, OSB, ceramics, fiberboard, glass wallpaper.

To ensure a high-quality coating, it is better to paint in a couple of layers.

If the surface will be used as a magnet, then there must be many layers of paint, otherwise the objects may not stick. Also, products with a large weight will not hold up.

Properties of graphite paint

The graphite wall with a magnetic surface is very convenient. Paintings on the wall in the kitchen photo? It can be decorated with family photos and colored magnets. Latex water-based base is the basis for graphite paint, which has the following advantages:

• health safety;
• application on wood, metal, concrete surface.

It is recommended to cover the wall with several layers to preserve more magnetic properties. It is better to choose medium and small size magnets for better retention.

Types of paints and varnishes

This material is sold in cans or cans (then painting is done using a brush or roller).

If the surface is large, it is better to buy a can of paint and tools. Places that are difficult to reach, small products and individual parts of the surface are most often painted with an aerosol.

In addition to the standard slate product, there are other varieties (they differ in the components included in the composition and in the parameters):

• Marker substance. You can write on such surfaces with markers, but not with chalk. This is suitable for those who do not like to wipe off chalk dust after playing with such a board.
• Magnetic substance. Contains iron particles, therefore has magnetic properties.

Pros and cons of this tool

Modern materials have a large number of advantages, but they have very few disadvantages. Here are the main advantages of slate material:

1. The coating turns out to be very durable, hardly wears out, is not erased, and is not afraid of mechanical influences.
2. A good level of adhesion to many types of substrates, even if it is smooth (like glass), and this expands the scope of such paint.
3. The coating does not shine, so it is convenient to write and make drawings on it, it is easy to wipe, and can be washed with plain water or special products.
4. Fireproof, can't explode.
5. It is environmentally friendly, so this coating can be used in children’s rooms, there is no smell.
6. It is easy to work with this material, short drying time.
7. Certain paints and varnishes contain an antiseptic, so they can be used even in rooms with high levels of moisture.
8. This paint can cover the entire surface or only part of it.
9. This covering allows children to fantasize and come up with original ideas; it can be made in any room of the house, even in the hallway.
10. It has many functions: it can be used as a board, can be used as an apron in the kitchen, decorate a door or cabinet doors, and so on.

If the composition contains magnetic parts, then the finished coating will slightly slow down electromagnetic waves from equipment and electronics that you have at home. This can be considered both an advantage and a disadvantage (better for health, but Wi-Fi will be worse).

The disadvantages also include low temperature intolerance, so slate paint can only be used indoors.

Here are some other disadvantages:

1. If you do not wipe the base, the stains on it will look very unsightly and spoil the overall appearance of the room.
2. You may not like such a board, and you will have to do the finishing again.
3. Typically, this type of paint has a dark tint, which can make the interior look moody.
4. In a small room it is better not to use such paint, because it will look even smaller.
5. Also, slate coating does not look good in many interiors, for example, in classic ones.
6. If the base is uneven, then you won’t be able to create a board effect like in school; first you need to make the surface perfectly flat.
7. The paint is so durable that if you get defects during application, they can be removed before it hardens, but then it won’t work.
8. The cost of this substance is high - certain types have a price of about 8,000 rubles per 1 liter.

If someone has frequent allergies, then it is better not to use a chalk composition, but to pay attention to marker material, and also constantly wipe the board with a damp cloth. On a glass or aluminum surface, a specific primer mixture must be applied from the beginning to increase the level of adhesion.

Surface preparation and painting

To work with paint and varnish materials you do not need special knowledge or expensive tools. You need to buy a standard painter's kit: paint container, roller, brush. Despite careful application, difficult-to-remove drops may remain on the floor, so the coating should be covered with cellophane. Window sills, frames, doorways are covered with paper tape.

As a surface preparation measure, you need to carefully level the wall. Separating pieces of putty must be removed, old wallpaper must be removed, although smooth canvases can be painted on top after preliminary priming. If the wall is old, the ideal option is to completely remove the coating layer, perform leveling according to the standard scheme, and only then paint. The last layer is always a high-quality primer (regular, for the corresponding surface).

Painting a wall is pretty easy

It is important that there is no dirt or dust on the base that could settle after priming. You need to mix the paint in a jar, pour it into a small container

Using a dampened roller or brush, carefully spread the material over the wall surface. After 2 hours, you can apply the second layer, and you can use the surface (drawing) after 3 days

If necessary, a day after application, magnetic priming is additionally done with a composition containing iron powder. During the first month of operation, it is allowed to wash the wall only with water, and after that it is permissible to use not too aggressive household chemicals.

Preliminary work and painting

To paint with this paint you do not need to have a lot of knowledge and tools. You need to have a container for the product, a brush and a roller.

Even with careful work, drops of paint may end up on the floor, which is difficult to remove. Therefore, the floor needs to be covered with newspapers, film, and so on. Windows, doors and the like are covered with masking tape.

Before painting, you need to level the surface well.

Old coating, wallpaper, putty - all this is removed. If the wallpaper is glued evenly, then it can be primed and then painted.

If the surface is in poor condition, then it is better to completely clean it, level it according to the usual pattern, and then you can start painting. The last layer is high quality soil (suitable for the specific foundation).

The painting procedure itself is simple. It is important to remove all dust and dirt after applying the primer mixture.

The dye is mixed well and some is poured into a container. Then take a roller or brush, dip it into a container and apply it to the wall very carefully so that the paint lies evenly on the wall.

Wait two hours, then apply again. The base can be used only after three days.

If necessary, after 24 hours you can also apply a primer mixture to which iron particles have been added. In the first month of use, such a surface is washed with water, and then you can sometimes use light, gentle cleaning agents.

Briefly, the process of creating a magnetic slate coating looks like this:

1. Surface preparation. Mark the desired area with masking tape. If it is not even enough, it is necessary to level it, putty and sand it until smooth. Then remove dust and prime. If a magnetic marker coating is created on an already painted surface, then there is no need to prime it.
2. Application of magnetic paint. To ensure strong magnetic properties, we recommend applying MagPaint in three layers. After applying each layer, smooth the paint with a spatula. Allow at least 4 hours between coats. The last layer should dry for 24 hours.
3. Application of slate paint. First you need to prepare the surface - sand the wall until smooth with M100 sandpaper, being careful not to remove too much of the top layer. Then use a damp cloth to remove dust from the wall and allow the surface to dry. Chalkboard paint is applied in two layers like regular interior paint - with vertical movements of the roller from top to bottom. The surface is touch-dry in just 10 minutes, and the minimum waiting time between coats is 12 hours. Here you can buy slate paint, and also learn more about the coating.

The magnetic slate surface can be used three days after applying the last layer. Before you begin, lightly go over the entire surface with the side of the chalk and clean the surface with a damp cloth.

Draw, take notes and attach photos with magnets directly to the wall, door or drawers - the choice of surface is yours!

You can buy magnetic paint and chalkboard paint in our store and create a magnetic chalkboard coating at home. For inspiration, we recommend looking at examples of completed work and reviews from our clients.

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The use of slate paintwork in the overall design of premises

This substance is used in many places. It can be found at school (in classrooms and even in the hallway), kindergartens, cafes or offices.

It is also very often purchased for apartments, especially for the kitchen or children’s room.

Some manufacturers say that wallpaper can be pasted onto such paints, while the magnetic functions of the surface will remain.

Decorating a room for children

If you make a slate wall or just part of it, children will have a place for games and fantasies, as well as for learning. The child will not have the desire to draw on the wallpaper, so the entire repair will last longer.

Those who are older can use this board when doing homework, for example, in algebra.

Material for kitchen and corridor

Most often in the kitchen, certain areas of the wall and products are chosen to cover with such slate paintwork, rather than painting the entire surface at once.

On certain paints and varnishes it is written that the paint can change shade depending on the temperature; you need to know this when choosing a coloring agent.

So, in the kitchen you can decorate certain areas:

1. Refrigerator door;
2. Cabinet fronts;
3. Jars, mugs;
4. Table top;
5. Trays;
6. Boxes for seedlings;
7. Boxes;
8. Dishes.

You can use this paint to highlight a part of the wall near the table, then breakfasts, lunches and dinners will be fun, especially if you have children.

In the hallway, a part of the wall right next to the door is often painted with this mixture so that you can write a note.

In the cafe

You can often see slate walls in cafes. Usually they contain various promotions, discounts, and special offers from the establishment, which are very attractive to customers.

The original spot in such an establishment would be such an unusual wall. You can periodically change advertising, information, and so on.

FAQ

What is more profitable: buying a board or painting a slate wall?

The prices for slate boards are very high. Options with paint are always cheaper, because they are easier to deliver and easier to use on any surface. The service life is approximately the same (up to 10 years), so designers often opt for paint, because one can can cover several objects, including a board of the desired size. The wall also saves storage space. The board will have to be put away somewhere.

How to dilute slate paint so as not to spoil it?

It is permissible to mix in 10-15% water. It should be warm and clean. There are paints that manufacturers prohibit diluting due to loss of quality; they write about this on the cans.

I want to paint part of the wall of a cafe on the street. Will it work?

Choose chalkboard paint labeled “for exterior and interior use.” Only reinforced composition will do. An ordinary one risks cracking due to weather changes. You can try making your own version with latex or acrylic exterior paint.

Kitchen apron with slate paint - smart?

Quite. Chalkboard paint tolerates kitchen conditions well. You may have to update the layer every 2-3 years, but the solution is still profitable and favorite for many designers.

How to make such paintwork yourself

Often, the packaging in which the slate composition is sold is very large and a lot of excess material remains.

Often paint is available in cans or as a half-liter or liter spray, which are not cheap. If you need to paint a small area, you can make this material yourself.

First option

Take 250 grams of acrylic-based paint and cement in powder form, you will need 2 tablespoons of it. All this is mixed well, the required color is added and that’s it – the coloring agent is ready.

The only pity is that the product, based on cement powder, quickly loses its appearance due to scratches. To make the coating stronger, it is better to take marble chips, but they are harder to find.

For a shade, it is better to take something brighter, for example, blue, green, yellow.

Second option

In this case, you need to take 3 tablespoons of acrylic-based material (colored material), 1 tablespoon of varnish with a matte effect, a tablespoon of water and the same amount of putty on cement.

First, pour the cement mixture into the container, then the coloring material, varnish, mix everything well and dilute with water. Now you can use it.

Manufacturers

Tikkurila

This is a Finnish manufacturer that has very high quality products.

This paint is available in black and white. The coating has a matte effect, which is perfect for drawing with chalk.

Separately, it is necessary to highlight Tikkurila Magnetic - this is a white product, apply it twice to the surface, the result is a coating with magnetic properties.

Siberia

This is a dye from a domestic manufacturer. They produce the latest types of materials with magnetic properties, slate compositions and marker products.

The paints contain antiseptics, which increase the level of wear and can be painted in any tone.

Siberia Pro slate mixture comes in black and white.

MagPaint

This is a Dutch manufacturer that has a whole separate line of slate paints. Recently a marker mixture from such a company appeared.

Paints are in demand because they are of good quality.

Magnetico

These paints are from a German manufacturer, which are available in a gray shade. The cost is not high compared to analogues, and the technical parameters are excellent.

Rust-oleum

In the USA, this company is the first to produce these types of coloring agents.

Slate products are sold in white and black tones; there are also compositions with magnetic properties and marker substances.

Benjamin Moore & Co

A company from the USA that produces premium paints and varnishes that can be given different colors.

The dried coating is very strong and is not afraid of various damages.

Craft Premier

These are paints from a domestic manufacturer, they are very environmentally friendly.

Slate compositions are sold in small packaging and only in black and brown tones. The surface withstands 10,000 wipes well.

Such slate mixtures are very easy to apply to the surface, they have a good level of adhesion, and they dry quickly. With such a surface you can get an original interior, which is why designers and clients often buy this paint.

What is Oleum, Kraft Premium and Benjamin Moore Co

The American company Rust-oleum, which was the first to put slate paints into mass production, is considered a pioneer in this production sector. It is still a leader in the sale of such products on the American continent. The company produces slate paint only in black and white. Such marker and magnetic mixtures are most popular for decorating rooms.

In the USA, Benjamin Moore & Co. also specializes in the production of graphite paints. Its products belong to premium materials, the range includes a variety of colors. The surface coated with material from Benjamin Mo has maximum resistance to various external influences. In terms of price, this brand is considered the most expensive, however, it has its own niche of consumers.

MagPaint is a manufacturer from the Netherlands that previously specialized exclusively in slate paints, although recently it has also begun to produce marker paints. Dutch materials from Magpaint are of high quality, which entails high demand for the products of this brand.

The Rust-Oleum brand produces graphite paints with the addition of magnetic powder.

Speaking about the production of slate paints and varnishes, the Russian brand Craft Premier should also be mentioned. Only environmentally friendly ingredients are used in production. Finished products are produced in small packaging. Color black or brown. Walls painted with GraftPremium can withstand more than 10 thousand sponge wipes.

Slate paint has long been known as an excellent coating for chalkboards, but it began to be used in interior decoration relatively recently, quickly gaining popularity as a new fashion trend. Slate paint and varnish products are easy to use, excellent adhesion and quick drying. An important feature is practicality, since you can write and draw on the graphite surface, and place objects on the magnetic surface. Rooms decorated in this way look stylish, original and modern.