A lot of people incorrectly believe milk paint is not suitable for use outdoors on exterior finishes and outdoor furniture. For some reason, they think that paint must contain harmful VOC-emitting chemicals in order to be able to withstand harsh weather conditions and will typically reach for spar varnish or exterior polyurethane. Thankfully, that simply isn’t so.
While milk paint is perfectly fine for use outdoors as it is, you can accomplish a lasting, beautiful outdoor painted finish with just a few extra steps.
Use the Outdoor Additive in Your Milk Paint
There are a few things to keep in mind when using milk paint on your outdoor projects. First, milk paint does not adhere to surfaces that are greasy, oily, or non-absorbent (like metal). You will need to clean the surface before painting. Once you have cleaned and prepped the wood that you want to paint, you’re ready to mix your paint. When preparing your paint, add the Outdoor Additive to the mixture by using a natural bristle brush and following the instructions on the container.
The additive is a borate compound, much like borax. This all-natural and non-toxic additive has several benefits for exterior wood:
- Mold inhibitor: keeps mold and mildew from developing on the surface of the wood
- Tannin wood stain blocker: prevents stains from showing through the paint on woods like cedar and knotty pine
- Bactericide: inhibit the growth of bacteria in the paint
The Best Finish to Protect Wood
After you’re done painting, your project is going to need an outdoor finish. While tung oil can be an excellent sealer to waterproof the wood, the best form of protective wood finish you can use is our new Outdoor Defense Oil. Made from Pure tung oil, pine oil, and zinc, it offers natural and non-toxic weather protection that other exterior varnishes don’t have.
Zinc is well-known for its UV protection against the sun’s damaging UV rays. Meanwhile, the pine oil prevents the growth of mold and mildew and the tung oil adds its waterproof-proof properties. Outdoor Defense Oil gives wood and outdoor furniture an attractive warm glow. When applied over milk paint, it will darken the color of the milk paint. So, keep this in mind when picking colors for your project!
Wood should have multiple coats with the oil finish until saturated. Apply to the wood coat after coat till the wood is full. Wipe off any excess that does not soak into the wood after 40 minutes. Allow between 24 hours between each multiple coat application. For light to moderate weather exposure, 2 to 4 coats should be sufficient and 6 coats for more severe weather conditions.
Note: avoid applying the oil under direct hot sunlight as this can cause it to polymerize quickly and leave a rubbery, filmy surface.
Real Milk Paint For All Your Outdoor Project
Real milk paint with the Outdoor Additive and finished with Outdoor Defense Oil is a great choice for your outdoor wood projects. It is durable, weatherproof, and easy to use. And it’s not just for wood surfaces. it can also be used on stucco, concrete, brick, and stone. Here are some great outdoor wood projects to try Real Milk Paint products on.
1. Deck, Fences and Sheds
Real Milk Paint is a great choice for painting decks, fences, and sheds. Our exterior paint will hold up to the elements and the exterior oil finish will make sure it will not fade over time, making you enjoy the outdoor life more.
2. Outdoor Furniture
Real Milk paint products can also be used to paint and protect outdoor furniture. It can give a durable outdoor finish that can withstand the rigors of use of outdoor wood furniture.
3. Birdhouses
Bare wood birdhouses are the perfect project for Real Milk Paint products. The paint will protect the birdhouse from the weather and is also safe for the animals.
4. Planters
Our non-toxic, eco-friendly milk paint is free from the caustic chemicals present in so many other paint brands, so it will not only protect the planter, but it will also serve as its natural fertilizer.
5. Outdoor Food Prep Surface
Real Milk Paint products are also food contact safe, so it’s suitable for any outdoor food prep surface you may have.
Shop at Real Milk Paint today.
