We do enjoy their warmth, but thought the bathrooms could easily benefit from a update. Allow it to sit for an hour to allow the solids to settle. They are easy to mix and thin. Milk paint is non toxic and the better health choice. Chalk Paint Vs Milk Paint. It does not “self level” as well as chalk paint. It also depends on the surface you are painting on. I was planning on using AS, but now I think I’ll get a low/no VOC paint and make my own chalk paint. Just curious…. There are other non-toxic chalk paints – I just googled it and found quite a few different brands. No, only some chalk paints are toxic. Even on a budget, there’s no excuse for not getting your hands on chalk paint. You can definitely use polyurethane instead of wax, which is probably more hard wearing for your great nephew. Thanks for this comparison, it’s just what I was looking for! Both finishes are often used for creating distressed or antiqued dressers, chairs, tables, doors, and virtually any item that will take paint, even mason jars. Do you think I still have to sand 1st (as needed with regular paint because of the shellac), and what might you recommend I finish it with after? Ive decided im not going to do any antiquing, so would you recommend milk or chalk? Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the different paints using a trim board, … You are a very good writer! Thanks for responding. Milk paint lets you create your own unique color by mixing dry pigments into the liquid base paint. Chalk paint is completely odor-free, and most chalk paints will be completely dry to the touch within an hour or even less. I didn’t paint this piece… you can see more of the original here https://ciruelointeriors.com/2012/09/02/back-to-dark/. Maybe I can blend her lightest shade with white. While chalk paint does tend to come in attractive designer colors, it is usually not possible to order custom colors. Milk paint costs about the same as chalk paint because it is thinner and doesn’t cover as much as chalk paint. I also signed up for your newsletter in case the info is there. Needs power mixing vs. hand mixing because of lumpy consistency. I just would good coverage on my pickled wood cabinets. It can be made from milk and lime, generally with pigments added for color. There are more ideas on how to wax and polish to get different results whenever you get time… don’t you love home decorating! Milk and Chalk Paint Recipes. ACK~ Well, they look almost the same! After you were done, what did hoy seal them with? I love your break down of the differences. Categories. Oct 29, 2016 - Chalk paint & milk paint are different paints. I was thinking about painting them either white or mocha. Higher build leads to inability to feel underlying texture. Recipes to make your own milk paint can be found at Martha Stewart, Real Milk Paint, Esprit Cabane and a cheat’s version using acrylic paint from Craft Apple. Color pigments are added to change the tint of the paint. Shaking creates a paint full of air. Milk paint and chalk paint are decorative finishes that can seem so similar, that telling the differences between them may feel like splitting hairs. Below is a table showing how chalk paint compares to milk paint: Features. Is there a pre-mixed chalk paint that would be better? So here’s a summary I’ve put together based on my opinion, along with my description of these products. Hi Dee thanks for the email! Most other chalk and milk paints make the same claims. Hi Nancy for some reason I only received this now… very strange. then this simple recipe is a great way to create your own substitute and get great, hard wearing results. Some like to use a blender to get a frothy milk paint while others say its best to mix by hand. Do I need a different finish for the table? Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk paint is made from five simple, non-toxic ingredients – clay, limestone, chalk, casein (milk protein) and natural & non-toxic synthetic pigments. Its a good idea to spray your furniture with water before you begin painting. There are lots of varieties of DIY chalk paint that are less expensive and very smooth and easy to work with. It’s a long post so grab a cup of coffee or a pot of tea. About $40 a quart . Due to the organic ingredients, most milk paints cannot be saved for more than a day or two, though some milk paints have additives that extend the shelf life to about two weeks. Again, there is no prep work, priming or sanding. Both milk paint and chalk paint are water-based and have a very low amount of low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Chalk paint, milk paint, mineral fusion paint and latex paint all have different qualities that make them easy to use, but some work better than others, depending on your project. Good luck.. sounds like fun! Hi Nico I don’t sell paint. Hi Jodi, what did you end up using on your kitchen cabinets? All Rights Reserved. It is more expensive but a little goes a long way. I am going to use old 2″ thick barn board tongue and groove for the countertop. And no prepping! I have found that milk paint does show brush strokes much easier than chalk paint. lol Seriously though, I’d buy a kit to get a feel for the process. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Thanks in advance for your help! Milk paint, owing to its caseins, does have a faint smell of fresh-cut grass that lasts for about one hour after application. She swore by General Finishes but this was all she used because of durability as she sanded and waxed everything. You can get some amazing looks if you’re happy to experiment. First off, let’s start by explaining how easy chalk paint and regular paint are to apply. Both paints are mineral-based, with calcium carbonate as the chief mineral. Most people mix and shake it in a clean, wide mouthed jar which makes it easy to dip the brush. Which type would you suggest? Test the two colors you choose first on a cabinet door or drawer to get an idea if you would like the whole kitchen painted in that color. Watch some of these youtube videos below but there are hundreds of videos – one of these is on laminate wood and the other on wood. Chalk paint classes are so expensive and depending on who is teaching, one can either paint a piece of wood or an actual piece of furniture. It can work but there are so many variables that you could end with a look you don’t like. Milk paint vs. chalk paint Milk paint, which really does have a milk base, is made up of entirely natural ingredients. I never heard of chalk paint until I looked for an alternative to milk paint. BTW, I had a Navy wife who lived behind me and she refinished furniture as her own personal love while making $. It’s a beautiful piece. It is not shiny unless we use furniture polish on it regular. Good luck! Thank you. They mostly come in powder form which you have to mix with water, then stir like crazy to get the lumps out. Now that we are in full swing in painting and refinishing furniture, I wanted to share my thoughts on milk paint vs. chalk paint. How Milk Paint and Chalk Paint Differ . THANK YOU Christine! I’m looking at doing mine and was also considering milk paint. Wise words. Milk paint is green and eco-friendly, milk paint is naturally non-toxic. I found this great video that also explains the differences between the two paints. Which tools do you use, and which paints? Whether you're a beginner or you're a regular do-it-yourselfer, our checklist will take your paint job from "good" to "amazing." Leave it unstrained and you will get a grainy, less appealing, finish. Luckily it’s only an RV, so not many cabinets, but the table is hideous. Hi Helen for a smoother satin finish, it is probably best to stick with chalk paint. This can be an advantage if you wish to create a streaky finish. General Finishes Milk Paint vs. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint When comparing General Finishes Milk Paint vs. chalk paint, there are several differences. Most often sold in powder form, milk paint tends to cost less than chalk paint, but it must be manually mixed with water before application, lending it an overall thinner texture. Chalk paint can be non-toxic or toxic depending on the supplier, so make sure you read the tin before buying. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. Annie Sloan is more expensive but it goes a long way. It is black background with red & green. Great article! I enjoyed reading your blog. Refrigerating milk paint will help preserve it. In 1990, Sloan developed the only product that legitimately can be called Chalk Paint. I am looking for a wash, not solid color, and am concerned about peeling, though I’m thinking it may not be a problem with chalk paint!? What would you suggest milk or chalk paint? This is part of their charm and their curse, especially if you are expecting a thicker paint consistency. There is one big difference between milk paint and chalk paint – milk paint is not toxic. With the milk paint, there aren’t many recipes that you will find. There are only one or two retailers in central Ohio. Remember, this mixture goes a long way, and it’s inexpensive, so you can be generous. Any thoughts on this? little need to prime or strip surfaces – very little prep required. If you look at the msds sheet for Annie Sloan chalk paint there are a few disturbing ingredients and on the side of the can it says there are ingredients that cause cancer and pthalates that disrupt hormones. Some people can get even more surface coverage out of a single quart. It is often said that milk paint has a mind of it’s own – (read ‘it looks and sticks differently on each piece.’) This is worrying for some but for most people that is part of its charm. I wonder why she doesn’t sell all her colors in the US? Great article! HA! Chalk paint is shipped full mixed and before the application, it should be stirred for redistributing the pigments. Effect and end results set out to start with a wax or other sealer and you ’ re happy experiment! 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