How To Use Milk Paint

Milk paint has been around for a very long time. In fact it was the first type of paint to be used on furniture in the early 1800's. Ancient people in Southern Africa thousands of years ago used red ocher mixed with bovid milk (milk paint) as a body paint. The San people of South Africa used it for rock paintings.

Rock painting - taken from ancient-origins.net

Today the Himba in Namibia still uses a red ocher milk paint to decorate the body. Like chalk paint it has become fashionable to use milk paint, especially when distressing furniture. It comes in a powder form and must first be mixed with water before it can be used. Depending on whether it is new wood or previously finished wood, preparation will be needed on old paint and varnished surfaces. A bonding agent must be applied to the first coat to ensure proper adhesion. If you’re not going for a distressed look or you are happy with the current colour of the surface that you will see when distressing then skip this step.

The mixture for stain is made by mixing three parts of water to one part of Milk Paint powder (any color powder can be used). Stir the mixture well. A thin watery mixture is required and it is applied in even strokes in the direction of the grain. It dries quickly and the next coat can then be applied. The surface can now be painted with the desired top coat.

Milk Paint is mixed as follows:

One part Milk Paint is added to one part water. Add more water if the paint is too thick or more powder if too thin. Stir thoroughly until all the powder is dissolved. Apply the paint evenly and allow 20 to 30 minutes between coats for the paint to dry. At least three coats are required.

When you are satisfied with the coverage, it can be finished by sanding with a fine grit sandpaper. Now apply antique wax or a matt liquid sealer to seal the paint.

Tip:

Make your own Milk Paint.

 Here is what you will need:

• ½ Cup of lemon juice or 1 oz of hydrated lime (get from hardware stores)

• 1 quart skimmed milk

•  Sieve
• Dry color pigment or matt acrylic paint of the desired colour.

To prepare the paint the following steps should be followed:

• Mix the lemon juice with the skimmed milk and leave overnight at room temperature to induce curdling

• Pour it through a sieve to separate the liquid from the solids

• Add 4 tablespoons of dry color pigment or 4 tablespoons of acrylic paint very slowly to the curd. Stir until the pigment has dispersed throughout the mixture and the desired color is obtained.

 Milk paint must be used immediately and just enough must be mixed for use over a short period. When more paint is needed, mix again.

Tip:

Use chalk paint and milk paint for distressing on smaller projects but avoid on bigger projects and hard working surfaces. Do not skip wood preparation on previously finished surfaces. Where sanding does not seem to be required, sand only lightly and seal with a water based sealer before painting.

As an alternative, use ordinary ultra matt acrylic paint (the type used for

painting ceilings) to get the same matt finish. It must be sealed.