Chalk & Milk Paint Tips & Techniques. Helpful How-to’s & DIYs

Why & How to Remove Furniture Wax Before Painting

24/4/2020

We get this question a lot...and with good reason. Many furniture pieces have already been refinished using wax. So why and how do we deal with this?

How Do You Know if it Has Wax?

The quick and easy was to make certain if there is a wax finish on furniture is to do the fingernail scratch test. This means taking your fingernail and dragging it along the surface. If there's wax, it should come off..well...like wax!

Why? Tell Me Why...

Furniture wax never completely cures 100%. It hardens (and don't worry...it does its job of protecting and sealing!) but all waxes stay slightly softer than, for example, poly-based sealers.

So what ends up happening when you refinish a previously-waxed piece using an oil-based product like Hemp Oil or Stain & Finishing Oil is that the oils within these products will soften the wax finish and leave you with a tacky, sticky mess.

Conversely, with water-based products like paint, the wax forms a protective bond and stops paint from adhering with the substrate and instead acts as a resist. Giving you something like this hot mess...

So...Now What?

.Firstly, you cannot simply sand wax off. It will gum up, ball, get sticky and generally misbehave. You need to remove it with white spirits, mineral spirits or my personal preference is methylated spirits (which is not as toxic). Use a micofiber or other lint-free cloth to rub off the wax. Typically you can see the difference, but not always, but you can feel it.

What's Next?

You are now good to go with your regular prep at this point. I typically give the piece a quick swipe-sanding just to pull off any remaining who-knows-what and clean thoroughly with Fusion's TSP or warm water and vinegar. And then...it's time to paint!

It's All Here...For The Love...
Sada

Do you need?

TSP - Paint Prep

A$22.00

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TSP is Fusion's specially-formulated, water-based, biodegradable degreaser used to thoroughly clean bare or painted surfaces prior to painting.

It effectively removes grease, oil, fingerprints, stains and will improve the adhesion of paint. Safe to use on all surfaces including timber, paint, laminate, plastic, metal and glass.

TSP is unique to Fusion and Australia! it is environmentally friendly with no VOCs or phosphates.

No rinsing necessary.

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Fusion Paint Brushes

A$8.00 - A$12.00

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Affordable and purpose-designed to minimise brush strokes, these synthetic brushes are lightweight and easy to use, clean up easily and maintain their shape and firmness.

Available in two sizes:

2.5cm (1-inch) — fits into sample pot Fusion Mineral Paint
5cm (2-inch) — fits into 500ml Fusion Mineral Paint

Keep your brushes in good condition:
Brush Scrubber
Fusion Brush Cleaner

You may also need:
Fusion Mineral Paint

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Fusion Hemp Oil Finish

A$42.00

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This oil is great for those that suffer from chemical sensitivities and can not use solvent based products. The odour of this oil is much like crushed walnuts.This oil is a great environmentally friendly locally produced with no additives or preservatives.

This oil will darken and richen the wood with a soft luster. It penetrates to protect from the inside out and does not leave a surface film that will chip, scratch or yellow. Used inside this food-safe oil finish is perfect to use in the kitchen on wooden cutting boards, wooden utensils or stone.

It is highly recommended to try a small amount on an area to find out how your project will look with this application.

500ml - same product as MMSMP Hemp Oil, different packaging

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Fusion Beeswax-Hemp Oil Finish

A$26.00

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A food-safe, all natural product, providing a soft smooth satin finish. It contains only pure natural beeswax and hemp oil and will maintain a gorgeous satin lustre.

Tip: Use over the darker Fusion Mineral Paint colours to prevent marks or finger prints.

• Food Safe • No Chemicals • NO VOC’s • Biodegradeable

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High Gloss Wood Ceilings Transformed into Aged, Faded Beauty with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

3/5/2018

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Oh yes... these high-gloss ceilings were one of the first things I knew needed "fixing" when moving in to my new office. The stark, shiny white glare was an assault on my eyes.

The raked timber needed some love and kind attention.

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint.

STAT.

Before: Stark, high-gloss raked ceilings sprayed in enamel paint

It's important to point something out about MMS Milk Paint. Imagine if I wanted to change the look of the ceiling and didn't know about Milk Paint? Imagine the sanding, the stripping...all that would have to happen to repaint them or create another look. I shudder.

Thank the heavens for our all natural, VOC-free, 5-ingredients only Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint! We were able to live in the space we were painting without awful smells or chemicals — and the house remained mess-free because we didn't have to sand!

We started with Farmhouse White and Bonding Agent. A 1-quart package was mixed with roughly the same amount of water for a 1:1 ratio before adding roughly 2/3 of a 250ml bottle of Bonding Agent.

I confess, with the ladder work and awkward neck angle this ceiling required, my husband did at least 80 of the painting and you know what? First-time Milk Painter and now...avid MMS Milk Paint fan!

Miss Mustard Seed's Bonding Agent

A$36.00

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Milk Paint Bonding Agent allows Milk Paint to adhere to metal, glass and painted, varnished or lacquered surfaces.

Stir well and mix one part of Bonding Agent to equal amount mixed Milk Paint. For maximum adhesion, mix Bonding Agent with all coats of paint.

May also be used as a primer for water-based paints. Apply a think layer of Bonding Agent with a brush or roller. Allow to dry 2 hours before painting.

This product contains no solvents or VOCs and is almost odourless.

This is the exact same product as Fusion's Ultra Grip with different branding. You can use them interchangeably.

Other Customers Also Viewed:

• MMSMP Milk Paint

• Paint Brushes

• Waxes and Sealers

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I've been using MMSMP for years and what I love most about it, is that sometimes it will behave in a way entirely unexpected. But I knew that whatever it did would be beautiful and I could work with it. I think this only comes with experience with the paint itself, you develop a confidence in the paint, you learn to trust it as well as your ability to be flexible.

I mixed the paint in a paint bucket with a stick blender allowing ample time to rest, before mixing again. I used a larger faux natural bristle brush and got to painting. Right away, I loved the change. The stark, shiny finish disappeared...

Work-in-Progress: The high gloss (top of photo) and Farmhouse White transforming the painted timber to a more subtle finish

Although I love this softened, more subtle look, I wanted a bit more personality in the finish so I experimented with other neutrals including Linen, Mora, Ironstone, Grain Sack, Layla's Mint, Schloss — I left no MMSMP stone unturned!

During this experimental/deciding phase my lovely Farmhouse White yellowed terribly...It was quite a shock (sorry, no photo!) A great example of the unexpected! I couldn't be completely surprised though as the paint we went over looks like it may be an oil-based enamel that was sprayed straight onto very orange timber. So, we have the leeching into my lovely Farmhouse White.

After much deliberation and debate, the husband and I settled on Marzipan because it worked well with the yellowing. In fact, it was warm and welcoming and layers beautifully over the now-yellowed Farmhouse White! Marzipan would still look amazing if the ceiling continued yellowing (which it has, but only slightly).

The first coat of Farmhouse White was painted on with a brush to create texture and dimension. The second coat using Marzipan with Bonding Agent we used a microfiber roller and brush to get variation to the finish. I wanted it to look like old fading paper. I think we might've nailed it?

Don't you just love the painting journey? Never knowing where it will take you. The unexpected twists and turns are always my favorite part with the end result being even better than I'd imagined!

It's all here . . . for the love . . .
Sada
***Just an aside. I can't be sure how much paint the ceiling used because we've moved on to the rest of the ceilings in the house. All I know is I was shocked with how little paint was needed! Love MMSMP!

Have you tried Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint Newest Colour Aviary?

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Creating Custom Tinted Furniture Wax, a Laminate Bedside - and Painting Myself Happy with Old World Clay & Chalk Paint

14/2/2018

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We all know I love a good roadside rescue. My husband picked this up for me on his way home about a month ago...sweet, right?

I had had one of "those days" (weeks, months, years...) you know the kind...everything piles on and you feel a bit down.

In my book, there are few things as therapeutic as picking up a paint brush.

Before: A slightly damaged laminate bedside

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Painting a Cane Lounge Chair with Fusion Mineral Paint

28/11/2017

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I obviously get some sort of perverse pleasure from painting wicker and cane by hand or I wouldn't keep doing it . . .

Vintage wicker basinet painted in Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

Antique wicker chairs updated with MMS Milk Paint in the colour Ironstone

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Wood TV Trays Become TRES-Chic & Warehouse-worthy with Fusion Mineral Paint & a Raised Stencil

6/9/2017

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I've been on the hunt for a set of these babies for awhile.

The before

I had to drive 35 minutes and pay $25 but...worth it!

This is one of those can't-wait-projects that magically jumps to the front of the painting line because you're just dying to get started. Do you know the kind?

I knew Fusion Mineral Paint would rock the mid-century industrial warehouse look that I wanted—is this even possible with dowdy timber TV trays?

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The Complete Guide to Getting Smells Out of Furniture — 7 Easy Methods

28/8/2017

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There are many theories on removing odours and smells from antique and vintage furniture.

I've come across pieces with nests and smells that would curl your toes, but I've never met a piece that wasn't salvageable.

Here are a few favorites techniques that I’ve always found to be effective, and best of all, most are inexpensive supplies you probably have on hand:

1. White Vinegar

Spray it or brush it on. Once dry follow up with another spray or wipe down with vinegar-water-essential oil dampened rag (peppermint, tea tree, lavender, patchouli all work great and also work to keep creepy-crawlies away).

If you’d prefer not to spray directly onto surface, set cups of vinegar or sponges wet with vinegar (on plastic plates) inside and tightly close drawers or doors.

Some even seal the entire piece in plastic like giant rubbish bags to prevent any "escaping" smells.

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Making a Wood Barrel Fabulous with Old World Paint and a Secret Bling Weapon

25/7/2017

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When my lovely neighbour Darlene gave this half-barrel to me, I'm pretty sure I didn't hear what she said about it because my mind was already whirring with the possibilities...

Shall I Hemp Oil it? Add some fabulous stencils? Do I keep it? It would be great to use for off-season boots by the back door? Or maybe by the front door with my shopping bags? I can store potatoes and onions in it. Or what about using it for recycling?

I know you all understand this feeling. New beginnings! All the possibilities! How do you decide?

starting-new-project-beginning-inspiration

Before: The endless possibilities of a new project

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Creating a Chippy & Rustic Dresser with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint — Finding Inspiration Everywhere

5/10/2016

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travel-inspires-colour-choices-upcycling

Outback Australia

When asked how to come up with colour ideas my best answer is — look for inspiration everywhere you go! It may take practice, but soon you will see things in terms of colour and be overwhelmed with ideas.

On a roadtrip through the Australian Outback, some may have been bored with hour after hour of scrub, trees and desolation. I found it beautiful and inspiring. Nature always does that for me!

Stopping at a billabong along the way, the colours of this gum tree were so striking, I decided then and there to paint something in these shades when I returned to the studio.

This tree, inspired this piece!

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My Sister's Bedroom Makeover with Farmhouse White Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

12/9/2016

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When most people go on holiday, they lie on a beach, explore nature, read, relax — that kinda thing, right?

Apparently, I do bedroom makeovers!

My sister is a giver and always helping others. She wasn't well for a few years, so when I visited her recently of course a full DIY bedroom reno was in order!

By the way, my sister was going to TOSS this set and buy a new one?!

Even my nieces didn't have faith in me, but I begged them to be patient. They both eyed me suspiciously...

painting-seventies-furniture-bedroom-suite

Before!

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My DIY Bathroom Renovation Part 3 — Creating Weathered Barn Walls & the New-Old Vanity

17/8/2016

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Darn Gumtree and its siren call...

I was perfectly happy repainting my existing vanity with all its useful drawers and storage.

Until I spotted this beauty: