Milk paint or sometimes referred to as casein paint, has been in use for hundreds of years. Early 16th century painters recognized milk paint as having great durability.
Ingredients.
Milk paint was originally made from all organic raw materials, curdled milk, lime, and pigment. Black pigment may have been derived from coal, soot, or charcoal. Red from the earth's crust or a crushed brick. Yellow Ochre harvested from the earth. Our pigments today are harvested in the traditional manner and are completely safe, non-toxic and lead free. Milk Paint is a all natural paint made from purified milk protein, lime, natural fillers and pigment. Most milk paint comes in a water soluble powder and does not contain solvents (Zero V.O.C. = No Volatile Organic Compounds).
What should you buy?
I recommend you purchase milk paint in a powdered form from a milk paint company. Most milk paint companies have more that 20 colors to choose from. Making good milk paint is almost an art. Sometimes when you try to mix up your own milk paint, you make get colors that very in shade due to the nature of the materials being used. Using powdered milk paint is definitely the best way to go.
What is the shelf life of Milk Paint?
In powdered form, I would say at least 3 years. Moisture takes a toll. So be sure to
always seal any used material tightly.
Powdered milk paint formula will remain useable for a minimum of a two-week period after
being mixed with water. Home made milk paints have a much shorter pot life and congeal or
jell to a blob allowing only one day to use the mixed paint. As I said, buy your milk
paint in the powdered form.
Application
Powdered milk paint systems allow you to control the viscosity of the paint. Just add
water to make a thick paint thinner or more water to make a wash. Add more milk paint
powder if too thin. I use a drill with a paint mixer attachment to mix it with. Mix the
paint for at least 3 to 5 minutes for a quart of paint. Milk Paint will not congeal to an
unusable blob by the next day, but will remain usable for 2 weeks to a month. The richness
of colors, combined with the dry flat look, is unmatched by modern paints. Milk Paint is
virtually odorless during application and while drying. As with the other finishes, be
sure to keep a wet edge when painting your furniture. Clean up with soap and water.
Many companies offers paints made from authentic American Colonial and Shakers milk paint
recipes, made in small batches, using earth pigments. The internet is a treasure-trove of
information about milk paint.
Would you like to make your Own Milk Paint?
1800's Milk Paint Formula (Indoor Use)
1 Quart skim milk (room temperature)
1 Once of hydrated lime by weight
(Available at building centers. Do not use quick lime, as it will react with the water and
heat up. Hydrated lime has been soaked in water then dried.)
1 to 2 1/2 pounds of chalk may also be added as a filler.
Stir in enough skim milk to hydrated lime to make a cream.
Add balance of skim milk.
Now add sufficient amount of powder pigment to desired color and consistency (Pigment
powder must be limeproof). Stir in well for a few minutes before using. For best results
continue to stir throughout use.
Apply milk paint with a cheap natural bristle brush.
Allow project to dry sufficiently before applying next coat.
Extra paint may be kept for several days in the refrigerator, until the milk sours.
Double or triple the recipe for paint.
Allow to dry thoroughly 3-4 hours before use.
For extra protection, give paint a coat of oil finish or sealer.
Color may change so try painting first in inconspicuous area.
Very Durable Weather Resistant Paint (Exterior Use)
5 parts cottage cheese or dry curd cheese
(Dry curd cheese is cottage cheese without cream or flavoring added.
You can make a similar cheese by putting cottage cheese into cheesecloth and hanging it
until it stops draining. Use cottage cheese if you’re in a hurry.)
1 part hydrated lime or slacked lime
Mix hydrated lime with water to make a paste.
Add to cottage cheese and stir in well.
Leave for few hours - the cheese lump will dissolve completely.
Select some powder pigments and add to solution (Pigment powder must be limeproof).
Add more water if too thick; powdered skim milk if too thin.
Strain with an old nylon stocking you want a fine paint.
Yes, I know they did not have nylon stockings during the civil war time period.
