A few year ago , Eva Bowker accepted a kitchen renovation project on unretentive observation . Not sure if she would be able-bodied to finish remake the cabinet on time , she went search for a blusher that would dry extremely tight . That ’s when she came across Milk River paint , an eco - friendly powder that ’s made from 100 percent born ingredients and then mixed with water to produce fluid blusher . The respectable part ? Milk paint dries in less than 30 transactions , compared with the 24 hour needed for oil - base paints . The termination ? It save Bowker ’s undertaking .
" One of the good things about Milk River blusher is the fact that it does n’t require priming or sandpaper before applications programme , " tell Bowker , a home - improvement coordinator forFantastic Handyman Australia , in an email interview . " This makes the whole process a lot easier and saves you a ton of clock time . However , the master reason why milk paint is better than other types of paints is that it is nontoxic and almost smoke - free , and it ’s made of dewy-eyed ingredients . "
What Exactly Is Milk Paint?
Milk River rouge has been used for thousands of years , having been discovered in cave drawings dating back as far as 6,000 age ago . " The paint was used because it could be well made from household ingredient that citizenry already had on hand , and tinct with all natural earth pigments and natural substances that were readily available , " sound out Sausha Khoundet , owner and operator ofSweet Pickins Milk Paint & Old Fashioned Milk Paint .
Today ’s adaptation of Milk River pigment has evolved into a powder form made from milk protein sleep with as casein ( which acts as a binder ) ; lime ( to make the pigment hard and durable ) ; and natural terra firma or mineral pigments ( to give it color ) . The grounds for the pulverization flesh ? " Because the paint will lead off to violate once it ’s miscellaneous with water , " says Khoundet , whose company is known for inventing the original powdered milk rouge now on the market in the U.S. in 1973 . " It had to be made into a powder , so the customer can mix their own paint ( just add up water ) . "
It ’s commercially available from numerous well - bang paint company . Martha Stewart herself even has arecipefor making your own Milk River paint at abode using lemon , 1 quart ( .9 l ) of skim Milk River , a sieve , cheesecloth , and dry colour paint or artist ’s acrylic rouge .
Is It Easy to Use?
" top-notch easy ! " say Khoundet . She explain that you just mix the pulverisation with water at a 1:1 ratio using a spoon — or even better , a whisk broom — to ensure that the paint follow out suave and creamy with no lumps . Once the paint is thoroughly mixed , you then apply it just as you would any other pigment . Once it ’s dry , you then thinly sand it to a smooth , larder - soft cultivation , and then hold your sealer of choice .
" Milk River key is very absolvitory , " she adds . " You do n’t see brush marks , and touch ups can easily be blended in , and since it comes in a pulverisation form , it can be amalgamate as thick or as thin as you wish it , depending on your project — loggerheaded to make texture , or thin to use it as a washing or stain . "
How Does Milk Paint Differ From Chalk Paint?
When it comes to compare milk paint with andchalk paint , the preparation bring for both are about the same . Toward that end , both paints have their situation , and one is not full than the other , it ’s all about personal penchant and the overall look you ’re try out to attain . Here are some divergence to take note :
How Milk Paint Can Be Used
While the majority of folks seem to use Milk River key as a ornamental finish for article of furniture , woods - form projects and walls , this various merchandise also can be used on artwork — and even buildings , for that matter . In fact , Vatican Cityused traditional Milk River - based paintto refer up the exterior walls of Belvedere Palace , a former 15th - century palazzo just north of St. Peter ’s Square that house appreciate works of art . The process : Milk garnered from local cow was amalgamate with quenched calcium oxide and natural pigments to create the original pick color used in the 1500s , and then hand - patted onto the walls .
" Milk River pigment has a tone to it that ’s unlike any other pigment , " says Khoundet . " It has a flat finish ( although it can be burnished to produce a shininess ) , and has a mottled , Old World look to the paint as there are many variations in the colouring . We retrieve that many woodworkers like the blusher because they are trying to mimic the painting technique found on historical Colonial piece of furniture , and because the paint adheres to woodwind instrument very well , but is gentle to stratum and hurt .
" There is also a Brobdingnagian cause powerful now of furniture Felis concolor , " she adds . " painter love the genuinely ripened , worn and ' chippy ' look you could get with Milk River pigment when painting over sure surfaces . "
6 DIY Milk Paint Projects
With so many possible manipulation for milk paint , we thought we ’d part you off with some fun ideas :
So , the bottom personal credit line is that there is no demand to spend hundreds of dollars on furniture to make thefarmhouse look , consort to Becky Beach , a graphic designer who run a blog calledMom Beach . " Simply buy an old art object of wooden article of furniture at the flea mart and repaint it with milk paint , " she says . " This will make a matte finish and a wear - out look that ’s staring for super trendy farmhouse décor . You could then display your newfangled voguish furniture in your abode or sell it to make extra money . "
