drying wet chalk

[smiffy180]

Couldn't think what to put for the title but:

Basically I want to add chalk to a liquid, add colouring to colours the chalk then dry it again so it's back in powder form or dye it via any other methods you can suggest?

Any ideas?

[Simpo Two]

Airing cupboard?

[smiffy180]

Simpo Two said:

Airing cupboard?

Don't have one

[Simpo Two]

In a pot on a double radiator?

[Smallend]

Hair drier?

[Simpo Two]

Smallend said:

Hair drier?

That has the added bonus of letting you know when it's dry, as the chalk dust would blow all over the room. Then simply vacuum it up!

[mike_knott]

Presumably the liquid is to dilute the dye enough to cover the chalk?

I would just use a fast evaporating liquid along the lines of acetone (=nail varnish remover), isopropyl alcohol (=cassette head cleaning fluid) or diethyl ether (=Easy Start). These will evaporate rapidly, even at ambient temperature so will not need heating (and see patronising safety warning below!). The dye might not mix with them, depending on what it is made of.

• Patronising safety note** Beware: all of the above are **highly flammable**

Mike...

[smiffy180]

mike_knott said:

Presumably the liquid is to dilute the dye enough to cover the chalk?

I would just use a fast evaporating liquid along the lines of acetone (=nail varnish remover), isopropyl alcohol (=cassette head cleaning fluid) or diethyl ether (=Easy Start). These will evaporate rapidly, even at ambient temperature so will not need heating (and see patronising safety warning below!). The dye might not mix with them, depending on what it is made of.

• Patronising safety note** Beware: all of the above are **highly flammable**

Mike...

Yes that's right. Attempted earlier with water and a frying pan, kinda worked but not an ideal method. Now have a red chalked pan

I have some isopropyl but it doesn't evaporate quick in my house, may have to try it overnight though

[Flibble]

Oven might help for evap, but you really want something a bit better vented.

Acetone would be my choice of solvent.

[smiffy180]

Flibble said:

Oven might help for evap, but you really want something a bit better vented.

Acetone would be my choice of solvent.

Cheers, i'll try it.

[Flibble]

Something else to consider, even without heating just blowing air across the chalk will dry it faster since you're blowing away moist (or solvent rich) air and blowing in dry air which can evaporate more water (or solvent).

[mojitomax]

Is it a specific colour of chalk you need?

Why not just get coloured chalk?

[smiffy180]

mojitomax said:

Is it a specific colour of chalk you need?

Why not just get coloured chalk?

No, want a whole range of colours.

Because it's no good for lifting with

[julianm]

If you`re after the effect of having some coloured chalk for your hands when weightlifting ( I think that`s what you want) I think gymnastic/lifter`s chalk is actually magnesium carbonate, not `proper` chalk which is calcium carbonate. The mag carb is lighter & a bit `fluffier` to handle.
Any food dyes should cling well to the grains - mix it up in a jug with not much water ( the chalk is not soluble) just pour into a baking tray or similar & stick it on a radiator overnight, scrape it off & crush it up in a poly bag.
For a more theatrical effect then mixing your chalk with some of this might be very interesting - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluorescent-neon-Ultravi...

I`ve bought from them & they were very helpful with their paints. I`m sure they`d respond to a qn or 2 & are proper chemists. There might be a problem removing it from your hands & they could glow a bit when you`re at the chip shop after an event!

[smiffy180]

julianm said:

If you`re after the effect of having some coloured chalk for your hands when weightlifting ( I think that`s what you want) I think gymnastic/lifter`s chalk is actually magnesium carbonate, not `proper` chalk which is calcium carbonate. The mag carb is lighter & a bit `fluffier` to handle.
Any food dyes should cling well to the grains - mix it up in a jug with not much water ( the chalk is not soluble) just pour into a baking tray or similar & stick it on a radiator overnight, scrape it off & crush it up in a poly bag.
For a more theatrical effect then mixing your chalk with some of this might be very interesting - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluorescent-neon-Ultravi...

I`ve bought from them & they were very helpful with their paints. I`m sure they`d respond to a qn or 2 & are proper chemists. There might be a problem removing it from your hands & they could glow a bit when you`re at the chip shop after an event!

Thanks, I currently sell coloured liquid chalk which is easy enough to make, it's just turning it back to chalk!
It's only been asked if i could do it, it may turn out that due to cost it might not be worthwhile :/