Milk paint

[Lugnut]

Has anybody used milk paint in DIY projects?

We built bench/coffee tables in our last painting class of 2004 and I used milk paint on mine. I chose mustard for my table but I'd like to darken the finish a little. Do you think a dark wax would work? Dang tung oil is too dark.

[Poiuyt]

1. Do some testing

Whenever I do a woodworking project, I'll take a piece of the same wood and do a test strip with different kinds of finishes on it.

As far as your project, I think dark wax would give it a nice antique patina to it. On the other hand, it would also give it some "polish" that you may not want. The nice thing about milk paint is that it looks like it has worn out over the last two centuries. Perhaps a second coat of milk paint in a slightly different shade?

[Lugnut]

2. That's a thought

I could mix it like a wash and try it on a piece of scrap wood before I try it on the table. The man at the place I ordered the paint told me the paint is very porous and to be careful what I enhance it with.

It's that "polish" thing that I want to avoid which is why the wax concerns me. Milk paint finishes are very matte so I don't want to mess up that feature.

Thank you for your input. :)