Black Soap is a finish that gets people all excited, but it is also the cause of major problems. Please attend the advanced or artistic classes to learn application techniques for Black Soap. Black Soap is not a sealer; it is a color enhancer. It deepens the color by bringing back the rich depth of the wet color and leaves a soft, slightly waxy feel to the wall. In the presence of water drops or humidity, it will return to the "dry look," so it is not appropriate in bathrooms, humid areas or areas that will be splashed with water unless the climate can be controlled or it is waxed with an appropriate wax.
To apply the Black Soap, it should be warm (put it in a microwave for 15 seconds, or the trunk of a car on a hot day). You can add up to about 50% water (2:1 two parts soap to one part water), this will make it flow more easily, but will lighten the effect of the soap. The Black Soap should be put in a squeezable container (a honey/ketchup squeeze bottle, or a water bottle with a sport-like top). You can apply the Black Soap with a trowel or similar spreading utensil; this will give a more mottled appearance as the soap builds up on the leading and trailing edges of the trowel and penetrate causing darker areas. Applying the Black Soap with a hand evens out absorption, but excess soap should be removed from the surface with a trowel, moving the extra material into other areas of the wall.
We do not recommend using sponges or rags to apply the black soap as it could “open” the surface of the clay and roughen the texture.
Black soap can be washed off the wall using copious amounts of water and a grout sponge (this should be done if you choose to seal the wall and paint, or if you are going to apply another coat of plaster over a soaped wall). This also makes the product very repairable, just add some more soap when the repair is finished. If an area gets splashed, you should use a barely damp sponge over the area in a non-circular motion, to even out the affected area. Then simply apply more soap. Always do a test sample to assure the desired effect.
Coverage: About 1000 square feet per five kilograms over smoothly finished American Clay Porcelina. It will cover about half that amount over Loma or Marittimo.
As of 2007, American Clay is no longer importing “Black Soap” color enhancer. Reasons include environmental impact of shipping products for resale from overseas, consistent supply concerns, and application/maintenance issues. We are happy to say that we have found an easy to use replacement. Ecover™ Floor Soap has a very similar effect, is easier to apply, cheaper and can be found at, or special ordered through, Whole Foods™, Wild Oats™ and over the internet. The product does have a smell similar to oil soaps, which is faint and goes away after a couple of days. For those customers who want that “Black Soap” look, please refer them to this product. Please call with any questions, 1.866.404.1634.
