Natural Kaolin (Kaolinite)

Description

Natural Kaolin Clay (Kaolinite) or China Clay is a clay mineral. Kaolin is used in the traditional limewash, chalk, clay and milk paint recipes, to keep the paint solids in suspension, increase opacity and fortify the paint layer. Kaolin can be added to limewash (prepared from Slaked Lime Putty) by itself or together with chalk.

By itself, Natural Kaolin Clay is slightly off-white, to mitigate that and reduce the cost, a regular white chalk can be added. The side effect of adding chalk is a considerably weaker paint layer, so often a Calcined Kaolin is added to the mix in place of chalk (proportions vary, from 2:1 to 5:1 natural kaolin:chalk or calcined kaolin).

Calcined Kaolin by itself (without Natural Kaolin) will not keep paint solids in suspension due to being calcined – a process of heating natural kaolinite to remove a water molecule from the chemical composition, together with its suspending properties.

Simple Milk Paint recipe:

Mix dry

– 3 parts of Artist Chalk
– 2 parts of Powdered Lime
– 1/2 part Art Casein

– 1/4 – 1/2 part Natural Kaolin Clay (optional and for painting grounds)
– 1/12 Salt (optional and for painting grounds)

add 2 quarts of water mix thoroughly, add more water if needed (depending on desired effect and surface)

– if needed, add mineral pigment for color

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Silica, crystalline (airborne particles of respirable size), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.