Properties

Colour

Coverage

Approximately 8 - 10 square metres per kg.

Preparation

Surfaces must be sound, absorbent, dry, clean, and free of dust & grease. Remove all loose plaster, make good with filler and sand.

All unstable (flaking or peeling) paint surfaces, especially water-soluble distempers, must be removed or washed off before applying Casein Paint. Any remnants of glue, wallpaper paste or starch must also be washed/scraped off.

Gloss, lacquer or oil based paints are not suitable surfaces for Casein Paint. However, by sanding the surface with medium grade, wet and dry sandpaper it is possible to create a good bonding surface - a section of the surface should always be tested and allowed to dry to assess suitability.

Problem areas such as nicotine stains, soot, water marks or timber knots, must be rubbed down and sealed with clear Shellac or shellac-based stain block to help avoid stains coming through the Casein Paint.

Casein Paint cannot be used on any surface that is damp at the time of application. Casein Paint is not recommended for use in kitchens and bathrooms.

Application

To create a good bonding surface - a priming coat of a weak solution of Casein Paint and water (approximately 1.5 - 2 litres water per 1kg Casein powder) is recommended.

For very porous surfaces e.g. clay, fresh plaster, limestone, etc. - apply several very thin watery coats, then apply a final coat of single cream consistency.

We recommend applying Casein with a large, wide brush. The best results are achieved when applied in THIN coats. Apply two to three thin, even coats using cross hatch brush strokes. Allow Casein Paint to dry between each coat.

If applied too thickly, it can yellow. Remedy this by applying another thin coat over the top.

Casein Paint is transparent when wet - do not apply thick coats to compensate for this - it will become opaque when dry.

Place Casein powder into a container. Slowly add enough warm water (approximately 0.7 litres per 1 kg of Casein powder) to obtain a thick paste - always add water to powder, never powder to water. Using a whisk or an electric drill whisk attachment, mix well. Leave to stand for 30 minutes.

Slowly add more cold water (approximately 0.3 litres per 1kg of Casein powder), whisking lightly until the paint is the consistency of single cream.

Leave to stand for 15 - 30 minutes, stir again. If still thick, add more water as necessary.

Do not use if the working temperature is below 5ºC

When mixed into paint use within 2-3 days.

Casein can be coloured with Pigments.

Adding Pigment: soak Pigment in enough warm water to cover the powder, preferably overnight, and mix well to create a liquid paste. Take a small amount of your pre-mixed Casein and add to the pigment paste, stir well before adding into the rest of the Casein Paint. When using an earth colour Pigment, see attached Appendix. You may mix dry Pigment with dry Casein powder together first, and then add water as per application instructions.

Note - The more Pigment added the better the colour coverage but do not use more than 30% Pigment e.g., 300g of Pigment per 1kg Casein powder. Some powerful and deep toned pigments may give a cloudy / streaky appearance in high concentration e.g. Ultramarine Blue, Red Iron Oxide etc.

Never use oil or artists' acrylic colours or conventional tinters in Casein Paint.

Drying Time

In normal temperature and humidity, allow 2 hours drying time between coats. The painted surface will be completely dry within 6 - 24 hours, depending on porosity of underlying surface.

Cleaning

Wash tools with warm water.

Storage

Keep container sealed and store in a cool, dry and frost-free place. Shelf Life is unlimited in powder form for unopened containers.

Health & Safety

Ingredients

Casein, lime, chalk, powdered marble, clays, china clay, cellulose, talcum, calcium carbonate, water softening salt, earth pigments.

Note