The organic ingredients of milk paint means it has a relatively short shelf-life (which varies by brand). Once mixed, it must be used within 24 hours, which makes it less ideal for larger projects. [2] X Research source Make your own milk paint at home for a more cost-effective alternative to off-the-shelf products.
Milk paint powders can be mixed together to create new, unique colors.
Choose milk paint if you’re after that vintage or antique feel.
Choose milk paint if you want less aftercare (you can skip the sealant), but don’t mind a little more prep in the form of sanding and mixing.
Chalk paint is limited to the manufacturer-made colors, so there may be fewer color options than milk paint.
Choose chalk paint if you’d prefer a more uniform, complete coverage to your project—it’s great for use on furniture or lighting fixtures. Chalk paint is also ideal for use on furniture.
Chalk paint often doesn’t require a primer, but this varies by manufacturer. Choose chalk paint if you want to dive right into painting with little prep, but don’t mind a little aftercare in the form of sealant.
After the second coat, lightly sand the painted surface with 320-grit sandpaper for a distressed look, then apply a wax, polyurethane, or oil-based sealer to protect the piece, if you like.
It is best to use some degreasing agent to clean the surface. A simple house cleaner should work well. While the surface is wet, sand it with a sanding sponge to get off the shine or the gloss. Don’t go too deep to avoid releasing oils from the old wood. You can sand the surface lightly and test your paint on a small area. If the paint doesn’t come off, no more sanding is needed. If it does, you might need to use an orbital sander or a palm sander to take off another layer.
Many people opt for a single coat, or 2 light coats, so that some of the original surface is still visible beneath, which creates a chic, distressed look.
Allow the wax to cure for 2 weeks—keep the furniture away from busy areas, or move carefully around other painted items in order to avoid bumping or damaging the newly waxed piece.
