We’re wrapping up the paint review series today, and I thought it was only fair to test General Finishes (my go-to paint line) with the same rubric.  Remember we’re on the hunt for the best furniture paint – what works best for you and your project! I wanted to test and try different paint lines to see how each one held up and worked.  They all have different availability and price points, and so I hope I’ve helped you scratch the surface (no pun intended) and see what you may like to try on your next painted piece. 

If you missed any of the reviews, you can catch them here: Dixie Belle Paint Review, Rustoleum Paint Review, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Review, Fusion Mineral Paint , Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint

I found General Finishes Milk Paint about 5 years ago when I was still making homemade chalk paint.  I wasn’t happy with how my dark colors were coming out with the homemade chalk paint, so I was looking for a good go-to paint I didn’t have to mix myself.  I tried General Finishes Lamp Black first and really was impressed.  I was even more impressed when I learned you didn’t have to seal the paint like I was doing for my homemade paint.  So that was about it, I started using it, then became a retailer locally.  I’ve enjoyed their products, and have yet to find one I don’t like.  

This post contains affiliate links so you can find the products I’m talking about.  When you use these links I get paid a small commission. To see my full disclosure policy, click here. 

One more thing to note before we dive in… as you saw last week, true milk paint is a powdered form of paint that you mix with water to activate.  While General Finishes Milk Paint is called “milk paint”, it’s not a true milk paint – in that it doesn’t have milk protein in the mix.  It’s actually an acrylic paint formulated for furniture and cabinetry.  They named it “milk paint” because it emulates the old world colors and textures while being a more modern type of paint. 

Here’s what we are talking about when it comes to finding the best furniture paint. 

ABC’S OF GENERAL FINISHES MILK PAINT

A – APPLICATION

What is the recommended application of each type of paint – and are there any tips or tricks to give a better finish?

I like to use a good quality synthetic brush.  A good brush really does make a difference, trust me!  In this video I’m trying a new (to me brush) from Zibra called the Chiseled Wedge.  It’s an amazingly soft brush and really a joy to use.  They have several shapes and sizes for all kinds of projects! 

General Finishes Milk Paint can also be sprayed, I’ve also tried this with great success. 

B – BEFORE YOU START (PREP)

What prep is required before you start painting? Lot’s of paints are boasting “no prep” these days, so I want to see how that actually works. And yes, while I love a good scuff sanding to get the piece ready to paint, perhaps it’s not always necessary.

The recommended prep is to do a light sanding with 220 grit sandpaper just to scuff up the surface.  Then clean with a mix of 50/50 Denatured Alcohol and water.  This is a good cleaning solution, it dries quickly and cleans well without leaving any residue. I just wipe it all clean with a paper towel.  You can find the recommended prep products here. 

C – CONSISTENCY

What is the consistency of the paint itself? Is it thin and runny or thick and smooth? This matters and affects how you choose to apply the paint.

The consistency of General Finishes Milk Paint is nice and thick.  It’s very smooth, but it is a nice thick paint which allows it to cover well.  Be sure to mix it with a stir stick or give it a shake before opening it to be sure the color is mixed in the can. 

It dries to a really smooth finish, it’s an eggshell type sheen when dry and gives that professional smooth feeling to the touch.  

C – COVERAGE

How does the paint cover? Do you need multiple thin coats, one thick coat, etc. This is a BIG deal in the painting world. As much fun as painting is, as a refinisher, we really want as much coverage per coat as possible. This makes the refinishing process quicker!

The coverage is good. It’s not a one coat color, the only exception to this may be the Driftwood.  Otherwise, most colors take 2 coats for an opaque coverage, the lighter colors sometimes take more.  

The paint is durable on it’s own and doesn’t require a topcoat (my favorite feature!). 

C – COLORS

The availability of colors matters to us creatives. We want unlimited colors to choose from, am I right?

The colors for General Finishes Milk Paints are classics.  They mix well and go together well.  A couple of these just got discontinued so I think there may be some new colors coming in 2019 – I’m pretty excited about that! 

D – DURABILITY

Durability of a product is one of the most important factors to me, especially when I’m refinishing furniture for clients or to sell – you want your work to last and stand the test of time! I’m going to be honest, and say this is a harder element to test. Durability happens over time and with some use. We can look at durability quickly and see that the paint isn’t chipping, flaking or lifting, but much more than that and we need to take the time to test it.

I love the durability of General Finishes Milk Paint.  This is a paint I have tested over time in my own home and on client pieces and it holds up extremely well! Because it doesn’t require a topcoat, the paint is very durable on its own.  Then when a topcoat is applied it gives it even more durability (or shine) depending on what you need your piece to do for you.  

Here’s the full review video for you: 

With that, our paint review series is coming to an end!  I sure hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Do you have a favorite paint yet??

Be sure to check out the other reviews if you missed any of them: Dixie Belle Paint Review, Rustoleum Paint Review, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Review, Fusion Mineral Paint , Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint

Until next time, 

Jenni