About Chalky Paint

The main components of paint are binder (glue), solvent (water or oil), pigment and filler. The filler is to give the paint body or substance. Filler can be clay, ground silica but mostly calcium carbonate (chalk) is used.

As the paint dries the solvent evaporates leaving behind everything else (the solids). Over time the sunlight (UV) breaks down the binder, then there is nothing to hold the chalk and pigment together. There is now loose chalk on the surface.

White paint tends to chalk more than other colors.

If you rub your hand over the paint and get chalk on it you have chalky paint. Painting over chalk is the main cause of peeling paint.

Power washing does not always remove chalk. Often a chemical must be applied to the wall or added to the paint for proper adhesion. Take a look at the peeling paint page to see what can happen.

Do NOT let someone paint over chalk!