The paint review series continues today… and today’s review is all about milk paint! Many of you know I’ve been a General Finishes fan for years, and that hasn’t changed. But there are so many other fantastic brands out there, I wanted to give them a test and do it with you! This week Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint is what we are talking about.
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 , General Finishes Milk Paint
I don’t know about you, but Miss Mustard Seed was one of the first DIY furniture painters I ever started following online. I loved her ideas, and her blog! She started with chalk paint and then transitioned over to milk paint when they named a paint line after her!! It feels like this is coming home in some way.
This paint is totally different than others we have worked with so far, so the video is here for you first.
I worked with the manufacturer of Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint to bring you this video review, they sent me free product to create this review. All opinions are honest and my own. To see my full disclosure policy, click here.
Here’s what we are talking about when it comes to finding the best furniture paint.
ABC’S OF MISS MUSTARD SEED’S 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?
Apply with a brush, roller or sprayer. I don’t think the quality of the brush matters as much in this case because the paint is very thin and will level as it dries. Just use your favorite way of application.
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.
Prep for this paint is obviously a bit more involved in the mixing of the paint itself. You mix equal parts paint and water (warm), mix until powder is absorbed, with a whisk, blender or shaking. You can add more powder to thicken the paint if desired. Allow the paint to sit for 5-10 minutes once it is mixed to thicken and let all the color particles dissolve. If your piece is already finished and you do NOT want the chippy look, you can add Bonding Agent (it’s a primer) right to the paint!
The piece itself takes a little prep too. Prep with a light sanding and cleaning. I used 220 grit sandpaper to scuff the cabinet door and then cleaned off the dust before painting.
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 the mixed milk paint is very thin almost creamy in texture. It would have the potential to be a bit runny on a piece, but it’s not even thick enough to make drips form as it dries. Because it acts as a stain on raw wood, it needs to be thinner to soak in.
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!
Despite the paint being very thin, it has surprisingly good coverage. I’m always amazed at how it covers as it goes on the piece. It does need a couple of coats for opaque coverage, but for the stained wood look you could easily get away with just one coat. Using the Bonding Agent really did make the milk paint stick well to the piece, I had no chipping or flaking once the paint was dry.
C – COLORS
The availability of colors matters to us creatives. We want unlimited colors to choose from, am I right?
I love the colors, they are very classic. More of a European feel, they are very neutral and classy. The colors are also mix-able, so you could combine colors for an even wider selection.
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.
Durability of this paint is a little harder to determine because some use it so it will chip and flake naturally! Also, when applying it over a raw or very dry wood, it will soak in and not come off without a good sanding. Overall though, Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint does require a topcoat. There are lots of options, from Hemp Oil, to wax to a clear topcoat called Tough Coat. This topcoat layer will soak into the paint darkening the color just a bit and helping create a durable finish.
Well, I’ve got to tell you, I had fun with Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint. If you don’t mind mixing your own paint, it would be a paint you may like to try. I do love that it can sit in powdered form indefinitely and that it is a more natural and authentically old world paint option.
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 , General Finishes Milk Paint
See you then!
Jenni
