So, you're about to start a painting your home. Whether it's your walls, your floors, your ceilings, or furniture, painting includes a ton of prep work and research to make sure you're getting the best materials for the surfaces throughout your house. Paint can have many bases that include, water, oil, chalk and even...milk? Yes, milk paint is most definitely a thing, and it may actually be more beneficial to your project than other kinds of paint.
What is milk paint?
It's an environmentally-friendly paint made from simple, 100% natural ingredients like clay, milk protein, lime, and pigment—and it's water-based. It's non-toxic, biodegradable, and doesn't let off noxious fumes. Plus, it dries in under 30 minutes, unlike the 24 hours needed for oil paints. Milk paint is also sold in powder form—you'll just need to mix it with water to create the liquid paint.
What can I use milk paint for?
Milk paint can be used on virtually any kind of surface—indoor and outdoor—without primer or sanding. Surfaces include wood, glass, plastic, drywall, plaster, and even metal.
What's the finish of milk paint?
The finish of milk paint depends on the surface it's used for—it resists surfaces that it can't be easily absorbed into. Milk paint has a chippy and worn-looking finish on surfaces like wood. It distresses much easier, making it ideal for a farmhouse-style look and vintage furniture. Because it's water-based, not oil or latex like other paints, it can be painted in thinner coats. Adding a bonding agent to the paint will create a more consistent finish for a less distressed look.
What's the difference between chalk paint and milk paint?
Milk paint and chalk paint have very similar traits—but they're not the same. Chalk paint is much thicker and is made from ingredients like calcium carbonate, talc, and pigment. The finish and feel of chalk paint is more like a white acrylic matte paint. You also don't have to mix chalk paint at home with water, but it's more expensive than milk paint.
How can I use milk paint on furniture?
Since you don't need to sand or prime a piece before painting it with milk paint, it's fairly easy. And, since milk paint is non-toxic, it can literally be discarded right on your lawn. If you're not into the chippy farmhouse look, sanding down your furniture and adding a bonding agent to the paint will make the finish much smoother. A high-quality brush is also recommended.
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