Chalk Paint Vs Milk Paint

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Chalk paint and milk paint are all the rage when it comes to breathing new life into vintage furniture. You have probably heard of these paints and are wondering what the differences are. In this article, you will learn:

• ​What chalk paint and milk paint are
• The similarities and differences of milk paint and chalk paint
• The pros and cons of each
• What type of paint is best for what project
• My recommended paint brands

What is Chalk Paint?

Chalk paint is made of Calcite (aka calcium carbonate), talc and pigment, it was developed by Annie Sloan in the early 1990’s as a decorative furniture finish. Sloan named it chalk paint because of its matte finish.​ Since then, DIY chalk paint recipes have popped up on the web (which are just adding things like baking soda to latex paint) and other companies have created their own versions of chalk paint.

What is Milk Paint?

Milk paint has been around for hundreds of years. It is made of milk powder, lime and pigment. It is an all natural paint and behaves much differently than the latex paints we are used to. Milk paint comes in a powder form and is mixed with water before use. The resulting finish is matte with amazing variances in color.

Chalk Paint Vs Milk Paint

Below is a table showing how chalk paint compares to milk paint:

Features	Milk Paint	Chalk Paint
Form	Comes as a dry powder that you mix with water before use	Water-based. Comes in quart cans. It is premixed and in liquid form.
Price	$22 – $30 a quart	About $40 a quart
Eco-Friendliness​	Very safe; all natural; non-toxic. Old paint can be thrown in the compost.	Fume free and non-toxic
Shelf Life	6 months in powder form; 1 day once mixed with water	1 year
Texture​	Thin	Thick
Adhesion	Wants to absorb into the surface it is painted on. Paint will chip on non-porous/glossy surfaces. Does not stick well to metal, plastics, oil based paints, or wood finishes.	Adheres to just about anything straight out of the can: metal, glass, lacquered furniture, ceramic, upholstery, painted surfaces….
Application	Can be applied with a brush, roller or sprayer. If spraying, paints need to be well mixed and strained.	Can be applied with a brush, roller or sprayer. If spraying, paints need to be thinned.
Primer	May need to use a bonding agent added to the paint for use on glossy surfaces or if you do not want chipping.	No need to prime, the paints are really grippy and stick to just about anything.
Sanding​	Not necessary, but helpful for best adhesion on glossy or uneven surfaces.	Not necessary, but helpful for best adhesion on glossy or uneven surfaces.
Topcoats	Not necessary, but recommended. Can use wax, hemp oil, tung oil or poly topcoat to protect from moisture and wear.	Not necessary, but recommend. You can use wax or polyurethane as a topcoat.
Custom Colors	Can mix colors to create your own.	Can mix colors to create your own.
Thinning	Can be watered down to suit your project.	Not designed to be watered down, but people have done it.
Finish	Matte, hand-worn finish. Will usually show wood grain.	Matte (chalky) finish. Receive luster by buffing. Wood grain is covered.
Dry Time	30 minute dry time. 30 days to harden and cure.	30 – 60 minute dry time. 30 days to harden and cure.
Distressed Finish	Unpredictable in how it will distress. Sometimes it grips really well and comes off as a fine powder, other times it comes off in big cracks and flakes.	Comes off in a fine powder when sanded before waxing. Easy to control the amount of wear. Results in a soft, distressed finish.
Cleanup	Soap and water.	Soap and water.
Coverage	1 quart covers approx 70 square feet. Darker colors may only need 1 coat. Light colors require multiple coats.	Quart covers about 140 square feet. You only need 1 – 2 coats.
Outdoor Usage	Can be used outdoors. Milk paint is very durable to the weather.	Can be used outdoors on metal, concrete, matte plastic, and terracotta. No need to add a protective coating.
Popular Uses	Kitchen cabinets, furniture, walls.	Furniture or walls.
Best For	Raw wood. It penetrates the wood like a stain, but looks like a paint. Best for creating a “chippy” look on already finished furniture.	Already painted furniture or other surfaces such as metal or plastic.

Milk Paint Pros and Cons​

Pros

• Great adhesion on raw wood that will never chip/peel or fade.
• Can be distressed and/or crackled and will resist some finishes. This gives it an authentic, chippy aged look.
• Creates interesting, one-of-a-kind texture. No two pieces will look the same.
• Totally non-toxic and natural
• Fade resistant
• Beautiful colors that can be mixed to create your own custom colors

Cons

• Requires frequent stirring
• Need to add a bonding agent to improve adhesion to previously finished surfaces.
• Different batches of the same color can look different.
• Unpredictable where it will chip. Less control than with chalk paint.
• Takes awhile to get used to

Chalk Paint Pros and Cons​

Pros

• Great adhesion on most any surface without the addition of a bonding agent.
• Consistent color
• Can be used right out of the can
• Provides great coverage 
• Flakes and chips less than milk paint
• Easy to use, predictable results
• Beautiful colors that can be mixed to create your own custom colors
• No VOC’s

Cons

• High cost
• Can’t create the “chippy” look that milk paint can.
• Annie Sloan line lacks dark colors
• Using only one color on a piece of furniture can look “cheap”

Which Is Better?

Both of these paints have their strengths. Your choice on which one to use will depend on your surface and desired outcome.

• Beginners should start with chalk paint, as it is easier to use.
• If you want a chippy look on a piece of furniture, use milk paint.
• Raw wood is best painted with milk paint (it will not chip).
• Chalk paint will adhere better than milk paint to previously finished surfaces.
• Milk paint is best for furniture whose natural surface is in great shape (a surface that you don’t mind showing through).

Whichever paint you choose, the fun will come with experimenting and seeing what results you get. Start with a small piece, maybe an old dresser or bookshelf that could use some sprucing up. Give these paints a try and let us know which one you like best!

Recommended Brands

Renaissance Chalk Paint

Even though Annie Sloan created Chalk Paint ®, there is another brand offering the same thing for a better price. Renaissance chalk paint has over 650 reviews on Amazon, with 75% of them being 5-star reviews.

Buy Chalk Paint Now!

Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint

I recommend Miss Mustard Seed because it is a popular milk paint brand with over 100 reviews (70% of them are 5-star) on Amazon. With 23 beautiful colors to choose from, you are sure to find one you will love. I’ve done a deeper dive in my review of Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint here.

Buy Milk Paint Now!

What is your favorite? Do you have any tips to share? Leave a comment below!