Which Do I Use? Chalk or GF Milk Paint?

Both chalk paint and GF Milk Paint have helpful features depending on what furniture style you plan. Yeah, the planning part is not my strongest element. Here is what I’ve learned from my experience. I’d love to hear yours. Feel free to post a comment at the end.

Use Chalk Paint When Intending to Wet or Dry Distress. The sand-ability of chalk paint makes it a dream for projects you desire to distress, wet or dry. It doesn’t take much elbow grease for deep distress. A high numbered grit paper, like 240, works well on chalk paint for making a light distress effect. I love the way chalk paint distresses anyway you do it.

With White Colors: I’ve heard some painters get away using only 2 coats of white chalk paint. I’ve heard a couple of complaints about white GF Milk Paint not covering well. I’ve never gotten away with applying 2 coats of white. There always seems to be some kind of see through brush marks here and there. For white, I’ve always applied 3 regardless of the paint type.

Use GF Milk Paint When Intending to Glaze: Glazing needs a slick sealed base coat so that it glides on and off without absorbing into the paint. That way, the wiping off process (or starting over if you’re like me) is easier more manageable. It allows a longer time to work the glaze, too. If stuck using chalk paint for a glazing project, one application of top coat before hand will help a lot.

Using GF Milk Paint eliminates a pre-glaze top coat step!

When Stenciling: For the same reason as glazing, GF Milk Paint provides an already sealed surface and gives best results.

These are just a few ideas for using different paints. I’m sure there are others and I’d love to hear from other painters. Check this out this event coming to our area soon.