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Artist Lee Riggins-Hartman applies milk paint to an end table and matching watering-can lamp. She also shares information on the history of milk paint and how to mix it. Materials:
Blue milk paint
Brown milk paint
Flat-finish varnish
Rub-on transfers
Three 1" foam brushes for applying milk paints
1" natural-bristle brush for applying varnish
Three plastic cups
Three plastic forks
Water
1" roll masking tape
Fine sandpaper
Damp cloth rag
Three lint-free rags
Scissors
Country Buffet/Sofa Table #460 W or an unfinished table of your choice
Optional: power sander
Optional: checkerboard border stencil
Optional: 2" x 2" sponge
Optional: antique crackle paint
Optional: paint finish
Note: - If you're using unassembled furniture, paint all pieces and allow them to dry before assembly.
- Sand and dust all wood surfaces before painting.
- Mix all paints needed for the project as follows:
For blue full-color paint: Mix 6 tablespoons blue paint with 6 tablespoons warm water. Stir with a plastic fork. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes for all powder to dissolve. Stir again. For brown full-color paint: Mix 6 tablespoons brown paint with 6 tablespoons warm water. Stir with a plastic fork. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes for all powder to dissolve. Stir again. For blue staining color: Mix 2 tablespoons blue paint with 8 to 10 tablespoons warm water. Stir with a plastic fork. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes for all powder to dissolve. Stir again. - Apply full-color blue paint to the front table section, side panels, drawer supports, leg turnings, feet and drawer knobs. Tape off sections for a cleaner edge, if desired. Let dry.
- Apply full-color brown paint to the upper-leg sections, between turnings on legs, drawer sides, drawer center fronts, the tabletop and the table shelf section. Tape off sections for a cleaner edge, if desired. Wipe with a damp cloth. Let dry.
- Apply blue staining color to the middle leg sections, drawer front edges, the tabletop, and the table shelf section. Tape off sections for a cleaner edge, if desired. Wipe with a damp cloth. Let dry (figure A).
- After all the paint is completely dry, lightly sand and dust the surfaces.
- Optional: If a worn, aged look is desired, sand the edges and selected spots to reveal the wood grain (figure B).
- Apply selected rub-on transfers to the table. Lee used two small fruit motifs on the drawer fronts and wheat stalks on the corner of the tabletop. Any rub-ons made for painted wood will work. Follow the manufacturer's directions for application.
- Use a natural-bristle brush to apply a light coat of varnish to all surfaces. Let dry. Lightly sand and dust all surfaces.
- Optional: Add a checkerboard border around the edge of the tabletop, using the stencil and a sponge. Mix 1 additional tablespoon of blue milk paint to the remaining full-color blue paint to thicken it. Reposition the stencil for each checkerboard grouping and repeat the stenciling, using the thickened paint mixture. Let dry. Coat lightly with varnish. Let dry, then sand and dust.
- Optional: If an old, worn look is desired, rub on a coat of paint finish, followed by an application of antique crackle paint. Rub extra antique crackle paint into sanded areas for an even older look. Let dry 24 to 48 hours.
- Assemble the table according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Lee's Hints and Tips: - Milk paint is the oldest form of paint known: traces have been found in King Tut's tomb and in ancient cave paintings. All-natural milk paint made from ground limestone was used by early Americans, who found that it was durable and versatile and that it provided excellent coverage and dried quickly. Like the milk paint used hundreds of years ago, most modern milk paint is made of natural ingredients.
- A good rule of thumb for milk paint is the "rule of one": Approximately 1 tablespoon milk-paint powder mixed with 1 tablespoon warm water makes enough paint to cover approximately 1 square foot of unfinished wood. Coverage varies slightly, according to the wood's porosity.
- Authentic milk paints usually contain a milk byproduct called casein and may sour after being mixed. Most milk paint is good for only 12 to 16 hours after mixing and cannot be stored. Mix only as much paint as needed to complete the project at hand.
- Mixing milk-paint powder with warm water helps dissolve the powder more easily and quickly. Colors with red bases require longer and more vigorous stirring, as they include iron-based pigments. Try sponging, stenciling and combing techniques to achieve different effects with milk paint. It may also be used as a wash or a stain. A little goes a long way, and milk paint covers the wood's grain.
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