Milk Paint Q&A

Marian's milk paint line is here! It's been fun hearing from everyone about how they will use the paint ---- a demilune in Mustard Seed Yellow, a child's dresser in French Enamel, vintage frames in Ironstone... to name a few.

This post is devoted to some common questions we get about Milk Paint, and yes, you can purchase it from us online now!
I've been busily adding pictures and descriptions to Shop Lucketts for Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint {our milk paint selection is online here}.  We wanted to devote a post to some common questions we are getting at the shop about Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint.


Before we start, I also want to mention that Marian's blog is a great resource for information, as well as her milk paint site with tutorial videos {here}. 

First-timer?  Don't be scared!  Here are answers to some questions you may have about milk paint:

• What's the difference between chalk paint and milk paint?

• Milk paint and chalk paint are two totally different kinds of paint.  Chalk paint is premixed in a quart and provides great adhesion without prep work.   It can also be embellished with chalk designs or writing and wiped down with a damp cloth.
  
• Milk paint is an Eco-friendly, natural paint that has been around for thousands of years and has been used in America for years on furniture, walls & barns.  Milk paint comes in a powdered form and needs to be mixed with water to create the paint.  It has great adhesion with the bonding agent added directly to the first coat of paint.  Without the bonding agent, milk paint naturally self-distresses, creating the sought after "chippy" look.
• How does it arrive?   How much surface does it cover?
• Your milk paint will arrive in a powdered form and is mixed with water to create the paint.  
• One package of powdered paint makes approximately one quart of milk paint when mixed with water.  Each package of milk paint covers approximately 70 square feet of surface area.
• How do I mix the paint?  What consistency am I looking for?

• The mixing ratio for milk paint is approximately 1 1/2 parts warm water to 1 part paint powder for dark colors; 1 1/4 parts warm water to 1 part paint powder for lighter colors.  Mix for approximately 3-5 minutes.  Expect a consistency that includes some lumps --- that is okay!
  
• Check out Marian's mixing video on her tutorial page {here}.
• Do I need to prep & prime my piece before painting?
• Most surfaces do not require prep, or require only a light sanding.
  
• No primer is needed.  Simply apply the bonding agent to the first coat of paint.  This makes the first coat act almost like a colored primer.  You do not need a bonding agent for the second coat.
  
• Can I use Milk Paint on raw wood?
• Yes!  Milk Paint acts like a stain, but looks like a paint.  The color will penetrate the wood for a lasting finish that won't chip or flake.  It is ideal for raw wood cabinets or floors.
  
• How do I get more even coverage?  
• We recommend using Marian's bonding agent. 
• Two coats of paint will give you a more opaque look.  Wait 30-60 minutes between coats.
  
• How do I get a more distressed / chippy look?   

• We recommend applying milk paint directly on your wood without using any additional bonding agent.  Milk paint will resist some (not all) existing finishes (painted or poly finished) in some places and will naturally self-distress, creating the "chippy" look.
• How do I store my milk paint?
• We recommend only mixing the amount needed for a given project.  Excess paint can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.  Stir before reuse. 
• When do I use the wax?  How is the furniture wax different?
• Use the furniture wax to add durability and bring out the finish of your projects.  It's very similar to other products on the market, except it's a little creamier & very low odor.  It can be applied to raw wood, stained wood, or painted furniture {including pieces painted with chalk paint}.  
• What is hemp oil?  When would I use it?
• Hemp oil is an alternative to wax and great for people sensitive to chemicals.  It revives dry, tired wood, and absorbs in to the surface of raw wood, stained wood, or milk painted raw wood, creating a durable finish.
  
• Do you have any how-to's or more information?
• We recommend viewing Marian's tutorial page with videos {here}.
• We highly recommend Marian's DIY blog, Miss Mustard Seed where you can read about her painting projects and get tips and tricks.
• Where can I buy milk paint?
• You can purchase milk paint online through The Old Lucketts Store's online store, Shop Lucketts {here}.
  

********************************************************

If you haven't been over to Karen's Graphics Fairy DIY blog this past week, you'll see that she posted some great pictures of the Design House {here in this post}, and wrote a really nice post about Suzanne, owner of The Old Lucketts Store in honor of Labor Day {here on Karen's blog}.  Check them out if you haven't yet!