 |
 |
||
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
||||||||
|
Should you have a
specific question, please address us by email and we will reply
personally. If the question is of general
interest, it will also be posted here.
How close is your milk paint to the historic paint?The redevelopment of milk paint in South Africa by The Original Milk Paint Co. has resulted in a paint that closely matches the finish of the 19th century. During the research and development phase it came to light that the only way to perfectly recreate the beautiful characteristics of milk paint would be by making and mixing the paint by hand in small batches. Please click here for our section on further aspects of historic paint.
Can I compare Milk Paint to PVA paints?No. Milk Paint is a totally natural product. Because it is a classical paint, the application "feel" is different, and the end result is that traditional slightly streaky texture - it is intended for those who want to achieve that unique traditional look. Unlike PVA, it can be applied directly to unsealed / unprimed porous surfaces such as sanded wood. Also keep in mind that Milk Paint is perfect to paint wood, whereas PVA has been developed as a wall coating.
How do I mix and apply Milk Paint? Please see the section dealing with this by clicking here.
Can I paint my walls with Milk Paint? Milk Paint is really intended for wooden furniture and doors. However, it has been used on cob walls with great success: Owing to the porous, non-chemical nature of this surface and the natural ingredients used in Milk Paint. Cob walls are a mixture of clay subsoil and chopped straw, which when surfaced with Milk Paint, stops the cob from rotting by allowing evaporation of moisture.
How do I make a wash? A wash is a thin coat of Milk Paint, and this is achieved by mixing the Milk Paint according to the enclosed directions, then adding more water and testing on a piece of scrap wood. Allow to dry and adjust the mixture with more or less water until you achieve the finish you want. Remember that the paint will be a tone lighter when it is dry. Should you wish to get back to the darker shade as if the paint was wet, coat the dry surface with linseed or teak oil, wax or varnish.
I want to create other colours, can I mix Milk Paints? Yes, they are all fully compatible and inter-mixable. The beauty of mixing Milk Paint colours is the fact that, unlike liquid paint, you can easily measure small amounts of the powders before mixing. No mess, no fuss, no wastage. Judge the colour you've created once it has been mixed with water, applied onto a piece of scrap wood, and has dried again. To experiment, use small amounts of the powders and mix them in a cup, add a little water and stir well. Write down the ratio of your mixture (work in parts, eg. 1 part Atlantic to 5 parts Litchi), this way you will be able to easily duplicate a colour combination you like in larger batches. First test your colour on a scrap piece of the same material before applying it to your project. Remember that the paint will be a tone lighter when it is dry. Should you wish to get back to the darker shade as if the paint was wet, coat the dry surface with linseed or teak oil, wax or varnish.
Is Milk Paint sensitive to water? Yes, it is. Milk Paint will water-spot if it has not been sealed and something gets spilt on it or if it is wiped with water. Decorative pieces do not need to be sealed, but functional pieces should be - hard working surfaces such as table tops should be sealed with a tough finish such as polyurethane varnish. As part of our on-going experimenting, we have found that Milk Paint on external cob walls withstand the elements remarkably well. The colours do not fade, and as the entire surface gets "water-stained", it is not noticeable. Even though Milk Paint used on external surfaces withstands rain, and even a direct jet of water, hard abrasive rubbing of the wet surface will remove some of the paint.
How long does Milk Paint last? Milk Paint in its dry powder form will last nearly indefinitely if it is stored in a dry, cool and light-proof container. Once it is mixed with water, it should be used within a day (or two if refrigerated overnight). After 24 hours the applied paint will be fully cured and it should last for generations (interior). The colour won't fade and it will develop its own character, like the patina of wood, with subsequent oilings or waxing.
I need sample sizes to test the colours, do you supply? Yes. Small 100g samples are available to make approximately 300ml Milk Paint (which covers 2 square m) - please request by email.
What effect does the ground colour have on the colour of the Milk Paint? Depending on the depth of the ground colour, eg. dark wood, relative to the colour of the paint, eg. "Mango", it is recommended that three coats are applied for full coverage (this is also a requirement for commercial paints). The last coat will match the colour swatch. Beautiful effects can be achieved by painting dark colours on light wood, or vice versa, and then sanding wear areas back to the colour of the wood (see our section on Paint effects).
Does Milk Paint go sour? Milk Paint does not go sour when applied - once the Milk Paint is fully cured (24 hours), the milk casein base is odourless.
Where does The Original Milk Paint Co. distribute from? Based in the Western Cape, South Africa, The Original Milk Paint Co. distributes nationally and internationally by way of airmail or surface mail - please use our email form. For local distribution, please click here.
How much Milk Paint do I need? Please see the section dealing with this by clicking here.
Can any wood be used? Yes, but be aware of woods that have an inherent high level of natural oils, such as teak and kiaat. With milk paint being a water-based paint, there is an expected aversion to oil, including naturally oily woods and pre-treated timber.
When mixing, will the Milk Paint not form clots? The Original Milk Paint Co. adds a finely ground natural clay to act as a dispersant in order to eliminate the age-old problem of clots. For this reason, our Milk Paint need not be strained.
|
