Preserving Chalk Art (temporarily)
May 31, 2017 5:58 PM Subscribe
After some quick research, it seems like using hairspray is a good way to keep chalk art from getting smudged. However, what if I want to wipe parts off and modify it?
I'd like to have a modifiable menu-type chalk art piece that i can wipe down and amend as necessary, but also be free from smudging during travel, install, etc. I am aware that those felt chalk markers are usually the solution for this, but I would prefer to use actual chalk, not markers.
Any suggestions?
I'd like to have a modifiable menu-type chalk art piece that i can wipe down and amend as necessary, but also be free from smudging during travel, install, etc. I am aware that those felt chalk markers are usually the solution for this, but I would prefer to use actual chalk, not markers.
Any suggestions?
Workable fixative will keep the drawing in place, but you might need to use a solvent (rubbing alcohol would probably do it) or else a bit of elbow grease to wipe down anything you've fixed. You can work on top of the fixative, but IME it won't let you erase (though I've only ever used it on paper).
Since it's not permanent and doesn't need to be archival though, cheap aerosol hairspray is basically the same thing. A very light coat in either case is all you should need.
posted by wreckingball at 7:16 PM on May 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Since it's not permanent and doesn't need to be archival though, cheap aerosol hairspray is basically the same thing. A very light coat in either case is all you should need.
posted by wreckingball at 7:16 PM on May 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Rubbing alcohol (or pretty much any alcohol if you've got a jug of everclear you need to get rid of) will also cut hairspray.
posted by Mitheral at 9:03 PM on May 31, 2017
posted by Mitheral at 9:03 PM on May 31, 2017
I'd consider plastic wrap or taping down some butcher paper over it. Easy to figure out if it works and less effort than fixative and solvents.
posted by Crystalinne at 10:15 PM on May 31, 2017
posted by Crystalinne at 10:15 PM on May 31, 2017
Response by poster: I'm going to try the rubbing alcohol and hairspray trick today and report back.
Interestingly enough, I read somewhere else that all you need to do is to press a piece of paper against your chalked surface and rub it until it stops lifting, and that should be enough!
posted by tedious at 5:18 AM on June 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Interestingly enough, I read somewhere else that all you need to do is to press a piece of paper against your chalked surface and rub it until it stops lifting, and that should be enough!
posted by tedious at 5:18 AM on June 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Turns out I didn't even have to use rubbing alcohol!
I bought some hairspray from Dollar Tree and applied it to the finished piece. Most of it dried back off to the same chalk density as before, but some parts in the middle of the piece stayed wet-ish.
With this specific hairspray, I was able to wipe stuff off just with water, and yet add chalk on top and wipe that off without water.
posted by tedious at 5:35 PM on June 3, 2017
I bought some hairspray from Dollar Tree and applied it to the finished piece. Most of it dried back off to the same chalk density as before, but some parts in the middle of the piece stayed wet-ish.
With this specific hairspray, I was able to wipe stuff off just with water, and yet add chalk on top and wipe that off without water.
posted by tedious at 5:35 PM on June 3, 2017
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posted by blnkfrnk at 6:21 PM on May 31, 2017 [2 favorites]