If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you probably know my obsession for experimenting with different types of paints and painting techniques. I get so many questions about the differences between chalk paint vs milk paint so I figured I would answer a few of those today. I’ve tried many different milk paint and chalk paint brands, and for the most part, they are all pretty comparable. Each brand has their pros and cons and I usually go for the one that would work best for the particular project I am working on.
I get lots of questions such as, is milk paint the same as chalk paint, what is milk paint, and how to use milk paint. So let’s get started discussing the difference between milk paint and chalk paint and how you can use each, shall we?
Chalk Paint
This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure for full details.
Chalk Paint vs Milk Paint
How is the paint supplied?
Chalk Paint
It comes in a chalky, water-based paint that is premixed with a smooth consistency. The fact that it is premixed makes it very convenient. You just stir and it’s ready to go. It’s good to note that some of the brands are thicker than others. If you like a thick-consistency paint, go with Annie Sloan. For those who prefer working with a thinner paint, I recommend Rust-Oleum.
Milk Paint
Most milk paints come in a powder form that you mix 1:1 with water. However, Rust-Oleum has recently come out with a premixed milk paint. They are actually sent me a few samples and I wrote a review on Rustolem Milk Paint. Because ratios can vary slightly when mixing the powder and water, different batches may not match perfectly. This can become a challenge if you run out of paint before you are done with your project. It is best to try to get your measurements as precise as possible to prevent this, or make sure you mix enough paint to complete your project.
Do I need to prep my furniture before painting with Chalk or Milk Paint?
Chalk Paint
Prep work is minimal for chalk paint. Usually, I wipe my pieces with a damp rag before I begin just to make sure there is no dust so the paint will adhere well. I hardly ever sand before using chalk paint. I only sand if there is an area that is not as smooth as the rest of the piece (like a damaged area).
Chalk Paint
Milk Paint
With milk paint, the prep work depends on the final look you want to achieve. Milk paint goes on like a stain. It penetrates the pores of unfinished wood. If you are wanting to create a chippy look, you will need to apply some type of resisting agent before you begin (you can read more about how to create a chippy look). If you are NOT wanting a chippy look, you will need to add a bonding agent to your paint. Or you can just take your chances and slap the paint on and wait to see what happens (this is what I like to do). 😉
Milk Paint
How many coats of paint will I need to apply?
Chalk Paint
There are many different brands of chalk paint and they all have different consistencies, which will determine how many coats you need. I usually use 1-2 coats on my pieces. More often two. If I plan to heavily distress the piece, I may only use one coat and even apply that one coat very lightly in certain areas. The chalk paint dries very quickly so you don’t have to wait long between coats.
Milk Paint
Milk paint almost always takes two coats. As I mentioned, it’s like a stain and soaks into the wood so usually it takes a couple of coats to completely cover. Again though, it just depends on the look you are going for as to how many coats you use.
Is the paint predictable? Can I use it to create a “chippy” look?
Chalk Paint
Chalk paint is very consistent and predictable. It goes on in a smooth, chalky, matte finish. While chalk paint is great for distressing, it doesn’t create a “chippy” look of a time-worn piece of furniture. It is easy to control the amount of distressing when using chalk paint. When sanding, the paint comes off in a fine powder.
Chalk Paint
Milk Paint
Milk paint is very unpredictable. For me, that’s what makes painting with milk paint so fun! Each piece is going to be unique. I love the anticipation of seeing what the paint is going to do after I apply it to a piece of furniture. It is easy to get a random flaking and “chippy” look with milk paint. This gives your piece a vintage, time-worn feel. Most of the time, the paint will naturally become flaky and chippy when applied to anything non-porous (if applying to unfinished wood, you will not get a chippy look without applying a resisting agent first).
Milk Paint
Does it chalk paint and milk paint require a top coat?
Chalk Paint
If you want to protect your paint, it’s best to use a top coat. There are many different top coats to decide from, but I always choose mine depending on what the piece will be used for. If it is just for decor and will not get a lot of use, then a wax or hemp oil will do the trick. However, if it is a piece that will get lots of use, such as cabinets, vanities, or dressers, I would recommend a more durable top coat such as Polycrylic.
Chalk Paint
Milk Paint
Because this is a porous paint, milk paint requires a top coat to properly seal. Just like the chalk paint, you can use wax, hemp oil, or polycrylic as a top coat. If it is a very chippy piece, I would recommend using tough coat to seal it and prevent further chipping (read more about tough coat technique).
Which paint is better and when should I use Chalk Paint vs Milk Paint?
In my humble opinion, one is not better than the other. When deciding between using chalk paint or milk paint, it simply depends on the piece that you are painting and the look you are trying to achieve. Both paints have their places and I use them about equally on projects.
When and Why to use Chalk Paint
I use chalk paint when I want to create a distressed, Shabby-Chic or French Country look. I use it a lot on outdated pieces of furniture that need a little TLC. Chalk paint is also good to use on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities.
Chalk Paint (French Country Look)
When and Why to use Milk Paint
I love to use milk paint to create a vintage, chippy look. It cracks, flakes and distresses more easily than chalk paint. You can also create a layered chippy look look with milk paint. I love using milk paint on vintage and antique furniture. Milk paint is also beautiful on unfinished wood pieces. You can also use milk paint for cabinets.
Milk Paint (Layered Chippy Finish)
I hope this helps to answer some of the questions you may have had about the differences between chalk paint and milk paint. If you have any other questions that I haven’t answered, just drop them below in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer.
Find more painting techniques:
How to Get the Vintage Corbel Look
A Review of Saltwash Paint Additive
Farmhouse Stool Make Over with Chalk Paint
Using Salt Wash to Create a Chippy Look
Thrift Store Table Flip with Chalk Paint
Heather this is a great list of each product and it’s pro’s and con’s! I actually didn’t know anything about milk paint and I feel like I really understand the difference now! Great post!
I’m so glad this was helpful, Wendy!! You should definitely give milk paint a try. It’s so much fun to work with.
This is so helpful and well written! I have not used milk paint yet, but half of my house is chalk painted :-). I fully agree with your top-coat recommendations; I have used wax on furniture but polycrylic on kitchen cabinets is the more durable way to go. I also have chalk paint + polycrylic on my kitchen tabletop and even with two kids it holds up surprisingly well. One tip I can share is to use the soft side of kitchen sponges. The scratchier side leaves dull spots; I re-coated just with the polycrylic after about a year of use and now it’s back to perfection.
Christy, you just made my day with this sweet comment! You are going to love milk paint, if you ever get the chance to try it. It’s so much fun to work with. Thanks so much for sharing you tip about using the sponges. I usually use Clorox wipes on mine, but that’s probably not good for them either.
I really appreciate the time you spent putting that together! I’m super excited to try milk paint now. Love the idea of “seeing what happens” during any given application. Fun!!
Clorox wipes seem fine; they’re nice and soft. My husband got a little too aggressive with the dark green side of the sponge, I think 😉
That means so much to me, Christy! Thank you!! I truly appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!! I’d love to hear what you think after you try the milk pain. And hey, I’m always looking for the positives – kudos to your hubs for wiping the counters (even though he may have scrubbed your poly off). 😉
I will be sure to come back and let you know how my milk paint adventure goes! Looking forward to exploring more of your blog 🙂
I so enjoyed reading this blog on the difference between the two paints. I have a ceiling that I did in embossed white vintage detail ( the pattern looks similar) to a tin ceiling. I painted it silver and now want to go back over it with white . I thought chalk paint would do the trick. My biggest dilemma is the small quantity it comes in and the rather large ceiling I need to cover. Do you have any suggestions?
Kindest regards
Christina
Thank you so much, Christina! Even though the chalk paint comes in quart size, it really goes a long way. I can usually paint about 4 pieces of furniture with 1 can of paint (and that’s applying 2 coats on each piece). But even if you have to get 2 cans, you should have some left over for another fun project. 😉 Also, the Rustoleum brand is an average of $17 per can.
Have you ever tried General Finishes Milk and Chalk paints? Their milk paint is already mixed, water based, no odor and made in USA. It can be for indoor or outdoor. There is no prep for piece before. I absolutely love this product. Their chalk paint is already mixed, you need to stir it alot as it tends to settle to the bottom. Again, no prep, water based, no odor and made in USA. My personal feeling is chalk paint is more work than milk paint. Milk paint you don’t have to sand between coats but chalk paint you do. Milk paint you do not have to put a top coat on but chalk paint you have to. I know you like trying different brands so this is one you should try out. I love your break down of the differences. You are a very good writer!
Hi Tracey! Thank you so much for your comment! I’ve never tried General Finishes. I just recently picked up the Magnolia Home paint from Target and I’m anxious to give that one a try also. I also just tried the Rustoleum milk paint and will be writing a review on that soon. I love trying different brands and types of paints. Currently, I have more paint than project pieces. 😉 Hopefully, I’ll be able to get more pieces soon and get to painting!
Hi Heather,
Can you base coat with chalk paint then final coat with Milk Paint and still
achieve the chippy look.
I Enjoy your blog
Thank you
Mary
Hi Mary! Yes, you can use chalk paint as the base, but you will need to put a resisting agent first, such as oil, wax or even vaseline. Thank you so very much for your sweet words of encouragement.
I love this post! So many great details – things I’ve always wondered about the differences in the paints but never researched.