General Milk Paint – Techniques & Common Questions

General milk paint behaves a bit differently from conventional latex paints. In this section, we’ll offer some tips and techniques for getting the best results and answer some common questions.

What should I keep in mind while I’m painting?

1. General milk paint can be applied with a brush or roller, or sprayed. It can be applied directly to the substrate or atop a latex primer.


2. If applied with a brush, one with fine synthetic bristles works best. Do your best to maintain a “wet edge” with the paint, applying new strokes adjacent to paint that is still fresh.


3. It is fine to cut in, but the final stroke should be in the direction of the grain.

4. If using a synthetic roller, select one with a relatively short nap for the smoothest finish.


5. When spraying with an HVLP system, you may need to thin the paint. In our experience, thinning by approximately 10% to 15% is needed to atomize the paint successfully.

Before committing to your project, practice on some scrap boards to get the hang of working with the paint and to ensure the final results are what you’re expecting (a good strategy with any finish).

What else should I be aware of?

1. After the first coat is dry, you may rub it out with a fine woven abrasive pad or 220x to 320x sanding sponge. Be sure to wear breathing protection.


2. Whether to apply another coat or two depends on how you want the piece to look and its final location. A single coat will leave some of the wood grain showing through; subsequent coats increase color depth, opacity and durability. Objects subjected to wear or for outdoor use should receive three coats.

3. Dry time for recoating is approximately 2 hours at room temperature and 70% relative humidity. Cooler temperatures or higher humidity can extend this.


4. Store unused paint tightly sealed in the can, indoors and out of direct sunlight. Best used within 1 year, but properly stored paint can last up to 5 years.


5. This milk paint may be top-coated with any of General’s water-based varnishes.


6. Clean your brush and other painting gear with water and dish soap. Do not dispose of down the drain.

7. Old paint should be taken to your local transfer station for safe disposal.


8. Take care to not get an excessive amount on your skin. Wash thoroughly with soap and water. Wearing protective gloves is a good idea if you have sensitive skin.