Frequently Asked Questions2023-09-15T10:43:44-05:00

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve had a few common questions over the years about our products. This page is to help get those questions out of the way so you can get onto the important things in life, like checking off that project to-do list!

General FAQ

Can I buy your products locally?2022-07-15T15:17:54-05:00

Prefer to shop local? We respect (and encourage) that! We have retailers across the United States and internationally who carry our products in their stores. To find one near you simply visit our store locator!

Want to bring our products into your store? We would love to have you! Find out more about becoming a retailer by clicking here.

Do you ship to P.O. boxes?2022-07-15T15:17:42-05:00

Through our website, we cannot ship to P.O. boxes. However, if you do need your package shipped to a P.O. box, please feel free to call us directly and place your order manually with one of our team members.

What does shipping cost?2022-07-15T15:17:34-05:00

We strive our best to offer competitive shipping rates from our carriers. We currently use USPS, FedEx, and UPS as our shipping carriers. Every package is different so our shipping costs vary from package to package. To calculate shipping costs for your order, place the items you wish to purchase in your cart, then go to the cart page. Within the cart page, there is a shipping calculator to give you an estimate of shipping costs.

For more information about shipping, please visit our shipping policy page.

Do you ship to Canada? Internationally?2022-07-15T15:17:25-05:00

Yes! We ship to Canada and internationally via USPS (United States Postal Service).

How do I create/log into an account?2022-07-15T15:17:09-05:00

Creating an account on our website is easy and very useful! Having an account means you can keep track of orders placed, store credits, update addresses, and more from the account dashboard. To create or log into your account, click here.

If you’re having trouble with your account please don’t hesitate to contact us!

What is Bolt?2023-09-26T09:42:23-05:00

Bolt Badge BlackBG YellowAll About BOLT

Bolt is our checkout partner that helps us offer a faster, more secure shopping experience. Once you create a Bolt account (optional), you’ll unlock access to One-Click Checkout and easier login. As a shopper, there’s no charge for having or using a Bolt Account, and no minimum purchase is necessary. They also protect against fraudulent purchases, giving you more peace of mind while shopping online. Creating a Bolt account is optional; you do not need a Bolt account to checkout. You can check out as a guest.

  • Click here if you’d like to create or log into your Bolt account.
  • If you’d like to update the information on your account, click here.
  • To learn more about Bolt, click here.

Please note that Bolt accounts are not associated with accounts created on realmilkpaint.com. If you’d like to create or log into your account on our site, click on My Account.

How can I checkout using my Bolt account?

When you’re ready to check out, all you’ll need to do is enter the verification code sent to your phone or email. This code allows us to offer a secure, One-Click Checkout experience and replaces your account password.

Can I still check out as a guest?

Yes! Guest checkout is always available. You do not need an account to check out, simply click “continue as guest” during checkout.

How is my data kept secure?

Shoppers’ trust and safety are important to us. By creating an account, Bolt ensures that shoppers’ personal details are secure. Learn more about how Bolt provides shopping with peace of mind.

Real Milk Paint® FAQ

Is Real Milk Paint Safe to Use Around Pets?2021-09-10T16:10:59-05:00

Real Milk Paint® is completely safe to use around pets due to its natural, VOC free formulation. That also makes it a great paint for babies and every age on up.

Do I need to topcoat/seal over the milk paint?2021-09-10T16:22:48-05:00

Milk paint is by nature a porous paint, this means it can absorb liquids and stain if left unsealed. So, while not necessary to seal or topcoat, it is typically recommended. Fortunately, there are some great options available! Milk paint readily accepts almost any finish. From our product lineup, Finishing Oils, Finishing Creams, and Waxes are great options for sealing the milk paint. Each has unique characteristics, best applications, and end results.

What’s the best way to dispose of milk paint?2021-09-10T16:45:20-05:00

Real Milk Paint® can be disposed of like any regular paint. However, due to its natural composition, it is also biodegradable! Now you can dispose of leftover paint in your compost bin, garden, or backyard.

Is milk paint safe for kids toys and furniture?2022-10-12T11:26:35-05:00

CPSC LogoReal Milk Paint is a kid safe paint and we back that up by having our milk paint tested to be compliant and meet the requirements set by the CPSC (US Consumer Product Safety Commission). Real Milk Paint meets the requirements and is suitable to be used as a kid safe paint for children and baby products. Our milk paint is tested by an ISO-accredited US CPSC-accepted lab for the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s requirements for ASTM F963-17 – Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety Soluble Heavy Metals in Paints, Surface Coatings or Substrates & Total Lead Content in Paint and Surface Coatings. Both of which Real Milk Paint passes! Now you can rest easy knowing that the paint you use is safe for even the littlest of ones in your life. Read more about this topic by clicking here!

Click here to read the Formal Letter Of Compliance.

NOTE: All unlisted Real Milk Paint® colors are made with combinations of the ingredients in the above-tested colors. In the manufacturing of Real Milk Paint® colors not listed in this report, no other ingredients are added so you can rest assured that your project, no matter the color used, has integrity.

Does Milk Paint Contain Any Mildewcides?2021-09-10T16:06:29-05:00

Real Milk Paint® does not contain mildewcides. The pharmaceutical-grade lime that is part of its formulation does have antiseptic properties and naturally can help reduce the possibility of mildew.

What about milk paint makes it a non-toxic paint?2021-09-10T15:56:50-05:00

Real Milk Paint® is made from natural materials that are 100% natural. These include casein (a protein found in milk), lime, a plant-based filler, and earth pigments. Oh, and this non-toxic ingredient list also is VOC-free.

What can I topcoat/seal milk paint with?2021-09-10T16:39:08-05:00

Real Milk Paint® readily accepts almost any finish due to its porous nature. We offer an extensive line of sealing options for the milk paint, each with its own pros, cons, and best uses.
Finishing Oils such as Pure Tung Oil, Hemp Oil, or Outdoor Defense Oil offer the best protection, especially for exterior applications. For interior applications, we recommend our Finishing Creams or Waxes, namely the Soft Wax, or Clear Carnauba Wax.

Can Real Milk Paint® Be Used Outdoors?2021-09-10T16:17:53-05:00

Real Milk Paint® can be used outdoors and offers some excellent properties, including being fade resistant and color fast. Typcially for exterior applications, we recommend applying milk paint only over porous surfaces such as raw wood, concrete, brick, etc. Since Real Milk Paint® is a porous paint, we also recommend sealing it for the best resistance to the elements. Our Outdoor Defense Oil is a great option to provide water protection. If you’re working on wood that is particularly knotty, you may also want to include Outdoor Additive to keep knots from showing through the paint. When paired with a topcoat, Real Milk Paint® creates a durable, longlasting exterior paint.

Can Milk Paint Be Painted Over Other Paints?2021-09-10T15:19:23-05:00

Milk paint with the addition of Ultra Bond can be painted over latex paint, plastics, metal, glass, and other hard non-porous surfaces. Each surface must be clean without any wax or silicone. Clean with Tri-Sodium Phosphate then scuff with sandpaper. Always test for compatibility before full application.

What Will Milk Paint Stick To?2021-09-10T16:04:42-05:00

Real Milk Paint ® is best applied to porous surfaces like raw wood, unprimed drywall,  concrete, brick, terra cotta, unglazed tile, cinder blocks, and more. If you’re working over surfaces that already have a finish, are metal, plastic, or painted with an oil-based paint then we typically recommend our Ultra Bond to add to the milk paint. As always, prepping the surface is the most important step to painting and proper preparation will produce the best results with any paint.

How Long Will Milk Paint Last After It Is Mixed?2021-09-10T16:11:42-05:00

Milk paint will achieve the strongest bond when applied fresh, but it will keep in a sealed container for two weeks up to a month. In its dry powder form, it has an extensive shelf life of 3 years or more.

How many coats of milk paint do you recommend? Coverages?2021-09-10T16:43:39-05:00

For the best color and coverage, we recommend applying two coats of milk paint to your surface. When calculating how much paint you need, make sure to include in your total square footage multiple coats. For example, a 10′ x 1o’ wall is 100 sq. feet. To cover it with two coats would mean the total area to cover is 200 sq. feet.
Pints cover 35 sq. feet
Quarts cover 70 sq. feet
Gallons cover 280 sq. feet

What is “milk paint”?2021-09-10T15:29:52-05:00

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 pigments for color. Now, Real Milk Paint® is made with a very similar formula of casein (milk protein), lime, plant-based filler, and pigments.

Why is milk paint sold as a powder?2021-09-10T15:13:47-05:00

Real Milk Paint® is manufactured and sold as a powder for multiple reasons. Because this is natural paint, keeping the ingredients dry prevents us from having to use preservatives. True milk paints are always manufactured as a powder. If it is liquid, it probably isn’t a true milk paint. Also, a dry powder has increased shelf life and less weight in shipping, reducing the potential waste and carbon footprint.

Finishing Oils FAQ

What is “tung oil”?2021-09-13T11:26:17-05:00

According to Merriam Webster, tung oil is “a pale yellow pungent drying oil obtained from the seeds of tung trees and used chiefly in quick-drying varnishes and paints and as a waterproofing agent.”

Drying Oil? Non-drying Oil?2021-09-13T11:40:22-05:00

There are two ways of classifying oils. Some are considered drying and others are considered non-drying. Essentially, drying oils, like tung oil, go through a polymerization process over time and transform from an oil to a solid. Non-drying oils, like mineral oil, never go through a polymerization process and are always in a liquid or somewhat liquid state. Click here to learn more about this difference.

How is Pure Tung Oil different from a Tung Oil Finish?2021-09-13T13:46:02-05:00

Pure Tung Oil is just that, 100% pure tung oil cold-pressed from the seed of the tung tree. Tung Oil Finish is typically a finish that contains pure tung oil but also has other ingredients such as thinners, varnishes, and metallic driers. Pure Tung Oil absorbs into the wood whereas tung oil finishes build on the surface of the wood. Pure Tung Oil produces a rich and matte finish on the wood whereas Tung Oil Finishes create a glossy sheen on the surface.

Is Pure Tung Oil Food Contact Safe?2021-09-13T13:46:07-05:00

Yes! Pure Tung Oil is labeled as food contact safe by the FDA. You can see this classification by clicking here.

Does Pure Tung Oil Go Rancid?2021-09-13T13:51:29-05:00

Fortunately, no! Pure Tung Oil, being a drying oil, does not go rancid. Rather than decomposing like non-drying oils, pure tung oil goes through a polymerization (hardening) process and permanently transforms from an oil to a solid.

Where does tung oil come from?2021-09-13T13:56:39-05:00

Tung oil is pressed from the seeds of the tung tree. Tung trees can be found all over the world, but the largest groves that produce enough oil to be sold are mainly located in China and South America. Fun fact, tung tree’s used to be grown here in the United States, Florida to be specific, but were unfortunately wiped out due to hurricanes, blights, and other natural factors. We source our pure tung oil from China (Chinawood Oil) due to the higher quality and better color of tung oil that the Chinese tung tree groves provide.

What woods can be treated with tung oil?2021-09-13T14:01:42-05:00

Tung Oil can be used on every type of wood species! From pine to pressure treated, cedar to oak, or ipe and black locust. The main factor in the use of tung oil on wood is absorption, that’s why we often recommend thinning the pure tung oil to increase absorption.

Do I need to thin pure tung oil?2021-09-13T14:09:18-05:00

This is a great question and is often case-specific. Most of the time we do recommend thinning pure tung oil with a solvent. This is to aid its absorption into the wood. New woods and hardwoods almost always need pure tung oil to be thinned. Very dry old woods, end grain, or some softwoods can use pure tung oil at full strength without thinning. We always recommend testing to ensure the proper absorption. Click here to view a useful graphic to help you determine if your wood requires thinning the pure tung oil.

 

Can I stain or color the tung oil?2021-09-13T14:19:59-05:00

Pure Tung Oil gives most woods an amber, honey tone. Our Dark Tung Oil gives more warm brown, coffee tones to wood. You can use a water-based stain on the wood before sealing with tung oil. Alternatively, you can mix an oil-based stain into the tung oil then apply to create your own custom color. Another option is to paint a wood surface with Real Milk Paint® and then apply tung oil overtop.

Do I need to topcoat tung oil with wax or a poly?2021-09-13T14:22:29-05:00

Not at all! Pure Tung Oil provides all the protection your wood surface will need. But, if you want to topcoat wax or poly to create a different look, that option is still available but not necessary.

Can tung oil be used outdoors?2021-09-13T14:29:31-05:00

Yes! Pure tung oil is a great exterior finish as it absorbs deep into the wood and provides protection from the inside out. Because tung oil is not on the surface, it won’t crack, blister, or peel over time and exposure to the elements. Also, tung oil is flexible so it expands and contracts with the wood through the seasons. Plus, it’s easy to maintain!

What is the difference between hemp oil and tung oil?2021-09-13T14:31:51-05:00

Not much! However, there are a few distinct characteristics that separate these two drying oils. If you want to read more, take a look at this in-depth article.

Can tung oil be used on other materials than wood?2021-09-13T14:35:51-05:00

Glad you asked! Pure Tung Oil can be used to seal any porous surface including concrete (for example, concrete countertops), brick, unglazed tile, etc.

What are the differences between linseed oil and tung oil?2021-09-15T15:48:18-05:00

Linseed oil and tung oil have many similarities as well as pros and cons on each side. For the most in-depth comparison of these two drying oils, take a look at this article about this very subject.

Should I use a wood conditioner when using your Dark Tung Oil or Dark Half?2021-09-16T14:54:38-05:00

No, we do not recommend or encourage using a wood conditioner on the surface while using the Dark Tung Oil or Dark Half. Wood conditioners tend to fill in the pore structure of the wood and would prevent proper absorption of the oil. It’s also important to note that Dark Tung Oil and Dark Half are not stains. They do change the color of the wood but they highlight the natural grain structure rather than mask it like a stain. We recommend flooding the wood surface with a solvent prior to applying either oil to aid an even spreading of the oil for the first coat.