The many faces of Milk Paint

My milk paint example piece sold so I had to do another one. I couldn't find a kitchen stool so I used one of the chairs that I was saving for me. Aw, well. I'll find another chair. (Like I don't have a half dozen chairs in the barn.)

Who's still nervous about using Milk Paint? Seriously, don't be. It's different from Chalk Paint and not even close to Latex or Acrylic but it's not to be feared. Really. Boo boos happen, sand paper comes to the rescue and you're back on track.

I seem to be stuck on this green. The sewing machine table in the background was painted years ago,

This is the finished chair. Since it is my example and sits next to my paint display, I wanted to show as many of Milk Paint's qualities as I could. A tall order, but I got there.

And now - how I got there.

I took these "during" photos with my phone so they're a little funky. Without a tripod everything shakes.

I'd previously painted this chair and sanded it back down because I didn't like it, so it was ready for a new look. I randomly put down a coat of the lovely Mustard Seed Yellow. I'd decided to let the paint do what it wanted (for the most part) so I wasn't too concerned about coverage.

Then I moved into the kitchen for more elbow room. :-)

Splish splash. I applied blotches of Kitchen Scale and Flow Blue that would later peek out from under my final coat of paint. A little bit of hemp oil here and there helped with that. I also put some stain on the bare wood areas because they were so pale.

Then, a final coat of paint. Was there ever a better green than Lucketts Green? I love it. It's so 40's looking. I look at my Duck Egg Blue hutch and think, hmmmmmm.

 When the paint dried I went around the chair and lightly distressed it.

Notice how flat the paint is. I think it is flatter than chalk paint.

I used a damp green scour pad and immediately wiped away the loosened paint with a soft rag. I rinsed the scour pad often so I wasn't just moving green paint from one place to another. The paint lifts easily so a feather-weight touch is required. When you distress, go as lightly as you can and then if you need to you can rub a little more. Lightly, lightly, lightly.

With the gentlest touch the layers of paint will show through.

Then I left it. Went to do dishes or something. Played with the dog. Slept.

I actually left the chair overnight and by morning the famous 'chipping' had appeared. This is an important step. I have found that getting those perfect small chips can take several hours. The larger chips sometimes happen while you are painting. You can sit back and watch the cracks race across your surface. When you're ready, apply a little Poly to stop the process. Who says watching paint dry is boring?

With the paint dry and the chipping finished, I sanded lightly with 220 grit sandpaper to smooth out the lumps and bumps.

The next step was a thin coat of clear wax, then more sanding. Then another coat of clear wax and sanding again. I use 400 grit sandpaper for the last round of sanding. I find it removes the last of the bumps and smooths the surface perfectly.

I pushed dark wax into the crevices and cracks with a stiff brush - actually a stenciling brush - then buffed. I have a brush attachment for my cordless drill which has saved me much muscle strain. I LOVE it!

This little work horse will change your life!

 I got everything I wanted; distress, chips, bare wood, smoothness and shine, shine, shine.

 I do love me some chippiness!

 

Ready and waiting to go to Farmhouse Treasures where it will hopefully inspire new customers to try Milk Paint for themselves!

Linking to:
the shabby creek cottage
be different act normal
funky junk interiors