milk paint

[Double D]

Is there a historical precedent for using milk paint to paint navel gun carriages?

[Cat Whisperer]

Excellent question!
My brother in-law, David Sawyer, makes Windsor chairs - his profession.  He could give you a good history of milk paint, including dates, as used in chairs.  Nailing down the dates would be but one of many pieces of information that make the puzzle.  Check your PM.

[Double D]

Thanks Tim...got the PM and that is a pretty neat website...wonder what he would do with a cannon carriage.

I know Milk paint was used on furniture, just wonder if it might have been used on artillery,

[carronader]

probably going to regret it     but what is Milk Paint ?

[dan610324]

its an very old paint formula that was used mostly for furniture painting
other odd ingredients that was used was : eggs , urin , beer

here in sweden it was very common among the poor people to use a mix of milk and soot to paint the ceilings
it makes a grey glossy paint , it probably had more ingredients but thats what I remember now

I got a friend who restores church interiors , she have told me a little about all this

[carronader]

Thanks Dan , heard of many strange concoctions used in paint the Milk paint was a new one on me. Don't care how historically correct it might be   I won't be using it any time soon. Eggs ...milk... I betcha the frogs got cheese into theirs.

[dan610324]

and a little red wine when they want to maka a pink paint 

[dan610324]

cw , could the rest of us also see that web site ??
or is it secret ??

[Swampman]

I've used it and it doesn't hold up outside.

[dan610324]

ok then we know that its only for furnitures and other inside use

[Cat Whisperer]

cw , could the rest of us also see that web site ??
or is it secret ??

http://www.windsorchairresources.com/sawyer.html

no secret.

David makes the chairs one at time - careful selection of which woods for each application, carved by hand.
(He's an engineer (MIT) by training and does the chairs by choice of lifestyle.)

Milk paint is old.  It does not wear well but does have some good applications.  Traditionally, in chairs, black over red is done.  As the corners wear it provides an interesting color combination.

[Zulu]

I've used it and it doesn't hold up outside.

Outside you have to use chocolate milk.
Zulu

[Double D]

Anybody know where I can find litharge?

[Ex 49'er]

DD,  PM sent.

[Double D]

Got it Mark, thanks!!!   I try that Ebay source later today If I can't find it in town.  I did see Japan varnish on the top shelf at the lumber yard the other day, maybe litharge is up there also.

[Double D]

Does any one have any idea the purpose of lead oxide in paint?

[Cat Whisperer]

Does any one have any idea the purpose of lead oxide in paint?

It's stable.  As it's already oxidized, it protects over longer time.  Very effective in marine (as in ocean) applications.

[Swampman]

Litharge is highly toxic.  I would avoid it.  It makes paint dry faster and prevents mildew though.

[Double D]

Litharge is highly toxic.  I would avoid it.  I makes paint dry faster and prevents mildew though.

I've moved beyond yellow lead oxide now...Grandkids are coming and I don't want to expose them to his stuff.

[dan610324]

most of that dangerous stuff isnt dangerous as long as its in the paint , but if you are sanding the paint its not so good

[guardsgunner]

DD
   Though not a navy gun, the Hughes gun that we copied appeared to be painted with Red milk paint. There did not appear to be any other paint on the gun. So we used the bright red milk paint also.
    I like it.


Bob

[subdjoe]

I found this:

1870 Milk Paint Formula
By Dwayne Siever, Copyright © 2002

What is milk paint?

Before commercially prepared paint was available, paint was made at home based on formulas handed down from generation to generation. Milk paint was made from old curdled milk or cottage cheese, lime and earth pigment for color.

1870 Milk Paint Formula

* 1 Quart skim milk (room temperature)
* 1 Once of hydrated lime by weight (Available at building centers. Do not use quick lime, as it will react with the water and heat up. Hydrated lime has been soaked in water then dried.)
* 1 to 2 1/2 pounds of chalk may also be added as a filler.

Stir in enough skim milk to hydrated lime to make a cream. Add balance of skim milk. Now add sufficient amount of powder pigment to desired color and consistency (Pigment powder must be limeproof). Stir in well for a few minutes before using. For best results continue to stir throughout use.

Apply milk paint with a cheap natural bristle brush. Allow project to dry sufficiently before applying next coat.
   



Extra paint may be kept for several days in the refrigerator, until the milk sours.

Double or triple the recipe for paint. Allow to dry thoroughly 3-4 hours before use. For extra protection, give paint a coat of oil finish or sealer. Color may change - test in inconspicuous area.
 

1870 Milk Paint Formula

See also:  Curdled Milk Paint

If I recall correctly (ha! fat chance of that)  that blue famous throughout New England for houses etc. was milk paint tinted with blueberry. (I think I got that from a Roy Underhill book or tv episode).  Red iron oxide is another favored colorant (red barn, anyone?).