Black 4.0 by Stuart Semple is the latest ultra matte super black paint, made by artists for artists. It takes in 99.6% of visible light, so whatever you paint looks like a velvet void. It's non-toxic and brushes onto almost any surface, with no spray gun, no respirator and no specialist handling.
How black is Black 4.0?
It takes in 99.6% of visible light, which makes it the blackest paint artists can buy. Paint something with it and the edges, texture and surface disappear.
Aren't there other super black paints?
There are imitators. Before Anish Kapoor took exclusive artistic rights to Vantablack, there was no super black paint for artists at all. Since then other matt blacks have followed, mostly made to be sprayed. Black 4.0 is the original answer to Kapoor: developed over seven years with thousands of artists, made to be brushed onto artwork, non-toxic, and still not for Anish Kapoor.
How do I use Black 4.0?
Shake the bottle well first. Use a soft synthetic brush and as little paint as possible, in very thin, even coats. Let each coat dry for at least two hours, overnight is best. The flatter and more even you go, the deeper the void.
What temperature should I paint in?
Room temperature, between 10 and 25°C. Too cold or too hot and it won't go on as well.
Will more coats make it blacker?
No. Piling on layers makes it worse, not blacker. A couple of thin, even coats is all you need.
Can I speed up drying?
Yes, a hairdryer is fine. It gets blacker as it dries, so give it time before you judge it.
Do I need to prepare the surface?
Seal porous surfaces first with 25% PVA and 75% water. Prime anything shiny or slick with Black 2.0 or a matte primer. On metal or plastic, plan on two coats: the first one keys the surface.
What surfaces does it work on?
Canvas, card, wood, paper, plaster, stone, foam and most primed surfaces. It isn't recommended on fabric, where it cracks and soaks in.
Can I thin it or airbrush it?
Yes, you can thin it or airbrush it, but use water only. Any other medium adds shine and disrupts the chemistry. Dilute it by no more than about 20%, or it loses its integrity.
Can I put a varnish, top coat or resin over it?
No. It's like flock in a bottle, so any varnish, resin or clear coat adds shine and ruins the effect. Leave it unsealed and the void stays.
Can I mix it into resin?
No. Epoxy resin will damage it, and mixing it into clear varnish or other paints isn't recommended either.
Can I use it outdoors or on a car?
It isn't a permanent outdoor paint. Because it stays unsealed, it will wear or fade outside over time. It's easy to touch up, and great for indoor work, shows, temporary pieces and experiments.
Can I touch it once it's dry?
Yes. Like velvet, it can pick up fingerprints and show scuffs, but it's far more durable than Black 3.0 and won't flake or scratch off easily.
How far does a bottle go?
60ml covers about 1 square metre and 150ml about 2 square metres, in thin even coats.
Which size should I get?
The 150ml covers most canvases and sculptures. Get the litre for big pieces or airbrushing, and the 6 litres for walls and installations.
My Black 4.0 looks grey. What am I doing wrong?
Usually the coats are too thick, or it's gone over a shiny surface without a primer. Go thinner, prime first, and get in touch if it still looks wrong.
Is Black 4.0 safe?
It's non-toxic, vegan-friendly and water-based, and fine with normal studio ventilation. It isn't edible or fire-retardant. There's no formal VOC certificate, but as it's water-based it will be low VOC.
Is Black 4.0 Vantablack?
No. Vantablack is a lab-grown nanotube structure, not a paint. Black 4.0 is the world's blackest paint.
Why was Black 3.0 replaced?
Painted too thickly, Black 3.0 could trap moisture and form salty white crystals. Black 4.0 is more stable with deeper coverage, and Black 3.0 is discontinued.
My bottle has a Black 4.0 label over Black 3.0 artwork. Is it really Black 4.0?
Yes. The bottles were printed before launch, so the new label went on rather than scrapping them. Everything inside is Black 4.0.
