Milk Paint

Here's a modern version of this moo-velous material.

By OHJ Staff

Before the advent of manufactured coatings-in-a-can around 1870, paint was made by hand, largely from earth pigments and other natural materials. High-style paints were based on expensive drying oils, such as linseed, but in rural areas painters might take advantage of a cheaper ingredient: surplus milk. This recipe, an OHJ favorite, uses a modern version of moo.

nonfat dry milk
powdered pigments
or universal tinting colors
(sold at good paint suppliers)

Start by mixing 1 cup of powdered milk in just enough hot water to make a slurry. Then add a little pigment at a time, recording the quantity. Continue to mix until the color is uniform and the desired shade; test on a sample board. Adjust color, then make a larger batch.

Historic milk paint is known for its durability and dead-flat sheen. Though primarily a home-spun interior Þnish (and relatively rare in original examples), it remains popular in ochres and Spanish brown for Òcountry styleÓ cabinet work.

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