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What is milk paint?
Before commercially prepared
paint was available, paint was made at home based on formulas
handed down from generation to generation. Milk paint was made
from old curdled milk or cottage cheese, lime and earth pigment
for color.
1870 Milk Paint Formula
* 1 Quart skim milk (room temperature)
* 1 Once of hydrated lime by weight (Available at building centers.
Do not use quick lime, as it will react with the water and heat
up. Hydrated lime has been soaked in water then dried.)
* 1 to 2 1/2 pounds of chalk may also be added as a filler.
Stir in enough skim milk to
hydrated lime to make a cream. Add balance of skim milk. Now
add sufficient amount of powder pigment to desired color and
consistency (Pigment powder must be limeproof). Stir in well
for a few minutes before using. For best results continue to
stir throughout use.
Apply milk paint with a cheap
natural bristle brush. Allow project to dry sufficiently before
applying next coat. |
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