Authentic Milk Paint

• Environmentally Friendly
• All Natural
• NO VOC’s

For Exterior or Interior use on bare wood, plaster, masonry or any porous surface.

Early settlers brought this method of paint making to North America more then 250 years ago. Basic ingredients including milk, limestone, clay and natural pigments like coal, berries, roots, seeds and minerals all found close at hand resulted in a paint whose durability is evidenced today by antiques showing the original milk painted finish. We continue this tradition using the same main ingredients. Absorbed into the wood fibre, Milk Paint will never chip or peel. Being slightly akaline it also naturally inhibits the growth of mold and mildew. Provides a completely breathable coating and is ideal for painting plaster walls and ceilings, medallions and other effects. Can be used to paint outside weathered wood without peeling.Simply mix with water to create a creamy consistency - it’s that easy.

Using this environmentally friendly product will help to create a beautiful finish in the same way that our ancestors once did. A finish that will last for generations, never to chip or peel. Choose one of these three popular finishes, then carefully read all the instructions before beginning. Since this paint dries so quickly (usually 1/2 hour) you are able to finish your project in no time at all.

Milk Paint will produce a solid colour or a stain depending on the amount of water used when mixed. Milk Paint colours can be intermixed for custom shades. Milk paint must be sealed with a finishing product such as our Hemp Oil, Beeswax or Varnish. *Ceilings do not require sealing.

• Never use a primer when milk painting- a porous surface is required
• When mixing your milk paint, be sure to use a blender with fine blades
• Do not use an egg beater or whisk as this will not adequately mix up the fine particles and may result in an uneven colour tone when painting
• Be sure to remove excess foam after mixing as this foam has very poor coverage
• Before and during painting, stir milk paint frequently with paintbrush to prevent settling

Milk Paint Colours:

Coverage:

Lighter colours like Sturbridge White, Limestone, Champlain, Buttermilk Cream, Ochre and Prairie Sunset have less coverage than the darker colours. Please see below.

For lighter colours the coverage is as follows:

• 2 oz (50 g) - Will cover with a solid colour 10 square feet
• 6 oz (170 g) - Will cover with a solid colour 30 square feet
• 1 lb (454 g) - Will do a large project approximately 80 square feet
• 5 lbs (2.27 kg) – Will cover approximately 300 square feet

• 2 oz (50 g) - Will cover with a solid colour 15 square feet
• 6 oz (170 g) - Will cover with a solid colour 40-60 square feet
• 1 lb (454 g) - Will do a large project approximately 150 square feet
• 5 lbs (2.27 kg) – Will cover approximately 600 square feet

Wash / Pickling

Produces a translucent finish similar to a coloured stain. This effect adds colour and enhances the natural grain of the wood.

Normal

Produces an opaque (solid colour) finish which allows the characteristics of the wood to show through.

Distressed / Antiqued

Produces a finish that makes your furniture look as though it’s been in the family for generations. If your wooden project is naturally light (i.e. pine) you will need to darken the wood before milk painting. This allows an older looking wood to show through your distress marks giving an authentic antique appearance. A nonsealing stain, such as our solvent-free Wood Stain will serve this purpose. Our stain dries quickly so you can apply milk paint almost immediately. When milk painting is complete simply rub in “wear marks” using 220 (or finer grit) sandpaper/sanding pad, or 0000 steel wool (also, a damp rag can be useful for this , and furthermore, it keeps dust minimal). When creating these worn areas, they should be subtle and well placed.

TOOLS NEEDED - Electric blender (hand mixing is not sufficient), Bowl, Measuring Cup, Polyester Paintbrush (Sponge brush for Wash Effect), 0000 Steel Wool or 220 grit Sandpaper, Homestead House Wood Sealer (Beeswax Finish or Traditional Varnish), Homestead House Wood Stain (if the distressed look is desired). We have 4 stain colours to choose from - Pacific Redwood, Quebec Maple, Sherwood Brown, Provincial Walnut).

MILK PAINT POWDER - A 170g bag produces approximately 3/4 of a quart of paint. Coverage depends on how porous the surface is but the normal mix will cover 40-60 sq. ft. The wash mix can cover up to 500 sq. ft. Slight shade/colour variations may occur between batches as this product is prepared by hand using natural compounds. When more than one bag is required, mix powder together before adding water. (Note: Milk Paint should be used within the day).

Directions

READ THOROUGHLY BEFORE YOU START

Mixing for the Regular Milk Painting or if you will be doing a Distressed Effect (in other words, a solid opaque colour) this requires 1 1/2 parts water to 1 part powder. For the lighter colours it is 1 1/4 parts water to 1 part powder. The mixture for the Wash Effect depends on the colour intensity you desire. Start with 3 parts water to 1 part powder, then sample it with some scrap wood. Continue adding water to lighten colour.

Add powder into a blender already containing water, then turn on low for 3-5 minutes. Paint out a small sample. If a solid colour is not apparent (paint too thin), add a bit more powder. If too thick, add more water, then blend ( sometimes it helps to let it stand for a few minutes and then blend for another minute) When dry, sand lightly and apply any oil or wax to see final colour. (Note: small white specks mean more blending and possibly more water required). When satisfied with sample, blend for 10 seconds just before pouring paint into a widemouth container. Now is a good time to wash or soak blender with warm soapy water.

Apply paint evenly. Stir paint when re-dipping your brush. Drying time is very fast. Two coats may be needed. If milkpaint gets into eyes, rinse with water for 15 minutes, then contact your doctor.

Lightly sand surface of project using 220 grit (or finer) sandpaper.[If you wish to remove a bit of the milkpaint –distress- you can use a sponge that has an abrasive on one side-with it barely damp it will assist in this] Remove dust (especially if you plan to use a Varnish sealer). The flat, chalky appearance will change when the project is sealed. This step will also darken the colour.

Seal project with an oil-base finish (water base appears cloudy on the dark colours). You can use a water-based clear coat if it is a light colour such as White or Buttermilk Cream. We do however suggest for a “solvent free experience” that you apply a coat of our Hemp Oil Wood Finish and then a small layer of our Beeswax finish. This particular combination provides a soft sheen and is as close to a traditional finish as you can get. Rewax every other year.

**Before and during painting, stir milk paint frequently with paintbrush to prevent settling.

1. Apply paint evenly. Extra strokes will remove air bubbles if they occur - A spotted finish may result if bubbles dry on surface. Drying time is very fast - normally less than one hour. At this stage your project will have a chalky appearance. This will change dramatically as your colour will be deeper and richer when you have “sealed” it in the final step.
2. Usually two coats are required for solid colour coverage. When dry, use the steel wool or very fine sandpaper to lightly rub surface (with the grain). This serves two purposes:
• removes excess milk paint residue
• the raised wood grain becomes smooth
3. If you wish to “DISTRESS” your project, then now is the time to do it. Using very fine sandpaper (or a damp rag or both) you can sand off the Milk Paint in specific areas very easily. Stop as soon as you see the stained wood. If by accident you go too far and can now see beyond the stain – simply rub in some burnt umber when doing Step #5.
4. Before you continue to the last step, make sure all dust has been removed.
5. In order to seal and protect the wood you have just Milk Painted, a variety of oil-based products are available. (Water-base tends to create a cloudy finish.)
• Homestead House Beeswax Finish, 100% Environmentally Friendly, ensures a rich patina (this food-safe Beeswax finish is also great for wooden cutting boards, wooden toys, etc.)
• Hemp Oil Wood Finish provides a water resistant finish great for exterior use as well as interior which provides a soft satin sheen.
• Homestead House Traditional Varnish offers a maintenance-free satin finish.

Years ago the pioneers used double boiled linseed oil (cut with turpentine). This can still be done using our own Hemp Oil Wood Finish.