Milk Paint, Chalk Paint, Fusion Paint – What’s the Difference?

Click Here

Download our quick reference guide comparison between Chalk Paint, Milk Paint & Mineral Paint?
Click Here

I’ve been asked these kind of questions a few more times lately since introducing Fusion Mineral Paint to my line of products. So here’s a summary I’ve put together, and this is only based on my opinion, along with my description of these products. Thrown in the mix, I’ll glean from the manufacturers of these products themselves for further info.

Let me start by saying how much I love painting, and I really do love all these products, but I find that I use them for different pieces I’m working on, for different reasons, and I think that’s all just a matter of personal preference.

Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint:

I first discovered Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint via Marian Parson’s blog, Miss Mustard Seed, and was excited when she partnered with Homestead House Milk Paint Company in Canada to produce a range of colours for this wonderful age old primitive style paint. I had my sister-in-law send me some from her closest stockist (she lives in the USA), and fell in love with the quality and feel, and the authentic distressed chippy finishes that I could produce, topped with the lovely waxes and hemp oil to finish. It was easy to say yes to being a retailer in Australia for MMSMP, and I’ve made several video tutorials on my experiences with this paint on . You can purchase MMSMP products via the Product tab on my menu bar.

Product form:

• Powder which is combined with equal parts water to form a smooth, slightly runny mixture, similar to pancake batter.
• Comes in 230gm & sample sachet (30gm) of powder.

Features:

• little need to prime or strip surfaces – very little prep required.
• self levelling, meaning you won’t see brush marks – the paint levels as you apply it to a surface.
• very quick drying – dries to a porous, chalky finish.
• needs to be finished or sealed with a wax or oil for best results.
• can be used on many surfaces, but will often result in a naturally chippy or flakey finish on more glossy or certain types of surfaces, unless a bonding agent is added.
• can be sanded back and distressed very easily for an authentic chippy or aged patina.
• only have to mix as much as required for each project.
• 24 colours to choose from.
• all natural ingredients used, including the pigments. ie. completely eco friendly.
• 2-3 coats needed for good coverage.
• a 230g packet mixes to create approx 460ml paint, which covers approx 15m² (if covering a dark surface with light colour you will need more coats)
• wash brushes out in water. Can use MMSMP Brush Soap for excellent results.
  

  A sideboard painted in MMSMP Kitchen Scale

When do I love to use Milk Paint?

• on antique pieces that lend to a lovely distressed chippy finish.
• for an authentic French Country cottage or rustic feel, especially when using the white colours.
• as a wash or stain to bring out the grain details in a piece of timber especially on the top surfaces of dressers or table tops. (ratio for stain: 1 powder:3 water)
• for a layered, farmhouse look using two colours.
• for a smooth modern look when adding the bonding agent.

Fusion Mineral Paint:

This is a fairly new product on the market, but the family owned company, Homestead House, have taken over 10 years to develop, test and refine this amazing paint. You can read more in-depth features on their website here. I love using it, and all the extra products that compliment their range, like the Transfer Gel, Gilding pastes and more. I have added the Fusion brand to my list of products which you can find under the product tab on this website.

But here are the basics:

Product Form:

• ready made paint formula in a clear plastic jar, with a consistency similar to latex paints.
• comes in 500ml jars & 37ml sample pot.
  

  A 500ml jar covers all this.

Features:

• no need to prime or strip surfaces – very little prep required.
• self levelling – you won’t see brush marks – paint levels as you apply it to a surface.
• very quick drying – dries to a satin – matte finish
• NO need for top coat – built in top coat means no waxing is necessary, but wax can still be applied if you prefer more of a sheen on your finished look.
• sticks to most surfaces, as the name (Fusion) suggests.
• paint will not separate or harden in the container for 7 years (What?? yes.true.)
• non-toxic, lead free, virtually odourless and very low volatile organic compounds (VOC), contains no ammonia or formaldehyde.
• can be sanded and distressed, but best to do this soon after painting rather than later. When the paint has had time to cure, it becomes more difficult to distress.
• 24+ colours to choose from.
• 1-2 coats give good coverage.
• 500ml jar covers approx 7m².
• wash brushes out in water.

When do I love to use Fusion Mineral Paint?

• for a beautiful smooth finish on more modern style pieces that I don’t intend to distress.
• on varnished or glossy surfaces where I think I’ll need a paint with a stronger grip.
• when I don’t feel like mixing up milk paint, or just need to whip out a quick project without the need for adding wax to finish.
• to layer two colours on a surface (which you can really do with any paints).
• I also love the fact that it has a built in top coat, so no need to wax, but I can add wax if I wish to for extra sheen, or antiquing wax for an aged dark finish.

Chalk Paint®:

The first type of specialised furniture paint I ever used was Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint, not long after I started restoring furniture a few years ago, and when it finally came to Australia, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a can. You can see my first experience with ASCP in this video (Please excuse the music in the background that apparently annoys lots of people. It’s too late to change it):

I’ve used it a lot since then and still love to whip out a can every now and then.

Note: There are a growing number of Chalk type paints on the market both here in Australia and internationally. In this post, I am reviewing as per my experience with Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint. I have also enjoyed using Old World Paint, a chalk paint made here in Australia, and you can see my review on Old World Paint here on this bedroom set.

Product Form:

• Ready made paint comes in a can, and has a smooth, thick consistency.
• Comes in 946ml can & 118ml sample pot.

Features:

• little need to prime or strip surfaces
• 33 decorative and historical colours
• sticks to just about any surface – wood, concrete, metal, matt plastic, earthenware and more, inside and outside the home.
• dries quickly to a chalky matte finish.
• brush strokes can create great texture, which works well with dark wax to age patina.
• needs to be finished or sealed with a wax or oil for best results.
• 1 litre covers approx. 13m².
• 2 coats gives good coverage.
• wash brushes out in water.

Although I don’t use the Chalk Paint as much now that I stock Fusion Mineral Paint, I still think it’s a good authentic option for painting aged finishes, and can achieve some great textured results.

---

Well, I hope that has helped answer some of your questions about the differences between these types of paints. This is by no means a comprehensive list of pro’s and cons, and as I said, each is a matter of personal preference as to which paint you feel most comfortable using for different pieces.

Download our quick reference guide comparison between Chalk Paint, Milk Paint & Mineral Paint?
Click Here
If you’re trying to decide which type of paint you’d like to use, why not try either MMSMP or Fusion in a few sample size colours first. Order from our Product page.

Have a great weekend! Send us pictures of your painting projects, we’d love to share them with our page.

 

We are authorised retailers for Fusion Mineral Paint and Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Australia. This blog post may contain affiliate links.

antiqueascpBrush soapchalk paintcoloursdifferencefinishingfurniture waxFusion Mineral Painthemp oilMiss Mustard Seed's Milk PaintMMSMPpainting