Autentico Vintage or Versante, what's the difference?

Autentico has many different types of paint and the two I've been getting asked about lately are Vintage and Versante, both are chalk-based paints but with quite a few important differences.  Before you start any project, you want the right paint for the job.

Let's start with Vintage.  It's super popular in Europe and other parts of world and can be used on lots of different surfaces. This paint can be manipulated beautifully!  Vintage is suitable for all kinds of different decorative techniques due to the soft and porous surface.  When you're looking to create an authentic antique finish, something that looks softly aged or you want to use creative mediums like Craquelure, Decoupage, Crackle, Glaze, etc., Vintage is the perfect choice.

Vintage is over 35% chalk so you can apply it to practically any surface and it will stick!  This includes bare wood, finished and painted wood, metal, terra cotta, glass, plaster etc.  Just make sure all your surfaces are clean and free of dust.

Vintage is a highly porous paint that can be distressed either wet or dry, layered with different colors and then worn back to expose those varied layers, watered down to make washes or allowed to thicken to create an impasto effect.  Once cured, Vintage must be sealed with either wax, varnish or sealer.  The Autentico waxes come in 16 colors that offer endless possibilities to finish your painted piece.

I've created a chalkboard wall using Vintage and this can be done with any color not just black.  When you're done painting your wall be sure it has a couple of weeks to cure and then season the wall with chalk and you're ready to start writing and erasing.  

Versante is still quite new to the US.  It's also a chalk-based paint BUT it doesn't need any kind of sealer or top coat and it cannot be distressed. Versante is washable, UV resistant and water repellant and come in matte and semi-gloss.  Right now only matte is available. Versante forms a much tougher surface that was developed to be used indoors and outdoors and able to withstand extreme weather and sunlight. Versante is less suitable for decorative painting techniques than Vintage.    

Versante is the perfect choice when you want a clean, crisp finish and are not distressing or using any decorative mediums like Craquelure, Decoupage, etc.  

You can however create some effects by dry brushing a coat of Versante in a different value or hue than your base coat. You can also use a colored wax which when cured will sit on top and not be absorbed as it does with Vintage.  And remember, Versante does not need a top coat, wax or sealer.

Versante is perfect for kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and furniture that's going to be put through heavy use.  It's also great for exterior use, doors, fences, and you can paint your house with it and know you have a superior finish.

Both Vintage and Versante come in over 150 gorgeous colors! I hope this helps you select the right product for your next project but whichever it is, I'm sure you'll be delighted! 

Join us in the Chalk Mercantile DIY Society Facebook group and share your work, ask questions and see what others are up to.

Best,

Jayne