Chalk Test 2015

I get a lot of questions about what kind of chalk do I use, and what kind doesn't stain, etc., so I decided to do a test.  When I chalk, I use a combination of different chalks.  I take into consideration the surface, the weather, the colors of the piece, how long I have to complete the piece and how detailed it is.  Different chalks are better for different things.  As you can see from this first picture, some chalks work better for detail and others are better for intense color and coverage.

The surface is a rough, fairly clean concrete.  The chalk was applied directly to the concrete and traffic on this surface is minimal, so I will take pictures after the rain or sprinklers hit it, to document what happens to each brand.

Brands tested:

• Dick Blick (student grade pastels)
• Eternity Arts
• Street Stix
• Sargent Sidewalk Chalk
  
• Crayola Sidewalk Chalk
• Montana Spray Chalk

Costs
It's hard to compare these 6 brands directly, because they come in different size sticks (and a can), and some last longer than others.  Prices do not include shipping or tax.

1. Montana Chalk Spray - $10.70-$12.00
2. Street Stix - $3.95 each stick
   
3. Eternity Arts - $1.20 each stick
4. Dick Blick/Koss - $7-$10 per box of 24
5. Sargent - $4.84- $6.00 per box of 30
6. Crayola - $5.00 - $7.00 per box of 48
   

Chalk test - Day 1

After the Rain

After a hard 15-20 minute Florida rain, most of the chalk was washed away.  As you can see from the picture to the right, two are completely gone - Sargent and Crayola.  Eternity is next, then Dick Blick/Koss, Street Stix and last is the spray chalk, which hardly looks different at all.

Dick Blick student grade pastels

Eternity Arts

Street Stix

Sargent

Crayola

Montana Chalk Spray

Washing it off

After about 10 days, and a couple of strong rains, we hit the spray chalk with a hose (see right).  There is little difference between picture 1 and 2. So then we got out a brush and scrubbed it and then rinsed it, and the third photo is the result.  The spray chalk is very durable, so use with caution.

Scrubbing off the chalk

After a couple of weeks, multiple rains and a hosing off, it was time to try scrubbing with liquid soap, and then Clorox spray cleaner with bleach.  As I hosed it off, there was color being removed, but after drying, there is still some staining.  To the far left, is the picture of the Street Stix afterwards, and the picture closer left is the Montana spray chalk after scrubbing.