Table painted with milk paint and finish with Carnauba wax

Carnauba flakes are used in cosmetics as they are hypoallergenic and the pharmaceutical industry uses these flakes as a tablet-coating agent so people can easily swallow their medication. The food industry also takes advantage of the incredible properties of carnauba flakes as well, as it is commonly found in candy-coated shells. This wax is very hard and used in automotive waxes to produce a glossy finish as well as in shoe polishes, furniture wax, floor and wood polishes. Nowadays, it is also used as an effective finish and surface protection for Milk Paint painted surfaces. Let’s dive into the benefits of using carnauba flakes in milk paint.

What are Carnauba Flakes?

Carnauba is a wax that is found in the leaves of the carnauba palm tree. It is also referred to as Brazil wax and palm wax and the tree is native to Brazil. It is only grown in the northeastern states of Brazil and it is commonly called the “queen of waxes”. Leaves are collected, dried, and then beaten to loosen the paste wax. After that, it is refined for use in many products.

Although it is far too brittle to use on its own, carnauba flakes are often combined with other waxes to create the desired outcome of wood surfaces.

Carnauba flakes consists mostly of aliphatic esters, fatty acid alcohols, diesters of 4-hydroxycinnamic acid and ω-hydroxycarboxylic acids. Carnauba wax paste is sold in several grades and labelled according to the level of purity.

How Carnauba Flakes Enhance Real Milk Paint Projects

carnauba wax paste over buffed surface door

First let’s talk about real milk paint. This ancient organic paint contains basic ingredients including milk protein, clay, limestone and other natural pigments. Real milk paint is without a doubt a durable paint that can be mixed with water or milk to achieve the outcome you want. It is a very popular choice of paint among those who are green consumers, homeowners looking for a safe, non-toxic paint and among modern designers. Real milk paint when top coated  with oil finishes absorbed properly does not chip or peel and it is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.

So how does carnauba wax enhance milk paint? Knowing that carnauba wax is the hardest wax on the planet. Putting a great hard wax paste over milk paint only stands to reason that it can enhance paint as well. Although it helps to provide a protective coating, it also is breathable making it ideal for painting drywall, plaster, straw bales houses and countless other surfaces. Simply apply a thin even coat of the Carnauba wax paste using a clean cloth or stiff brush to enhance your wood projects. Having a protective coat helps to keep surfaces from being damaged which really makes sense for families with children.

Real milk paint is a powdered paint that is so incredibly versatile and the best part of all, it is easy to use. Environmentally-friendly and non-toxic means naturally, there are no mineral spirits and harmful fumes – some paints claim to be odor-free but the scent is masked over with other chemicals to create a non-scent.

No matter what your paint project may be, using real milk paint with our carnauba wax paste will provide you with satisfaction for years to come after you complete your painting project.

economical paste wax carnauba from Real Milk Paint Companyclear carnauba wax paste from Real Milk Paint Co