Cornish Milk Mineral Paint FAQ
We’ve compiled answers to all of your frequently asked questions, including where to buy Cornish Milk Mineral Paint, product information, working with Cornish Milk and troubleshooting.
If you need any more information or other questions being answered then you can contact us directly at hello@cornishmilkmineralpaint.co.uk or contact your local Cornish Milk Stockist.
General INFORMATION
where can I buy Cornish Milk Products?
Cornish Milk products are available through approved Cornish Milk Stockists. To find the stockist closest to you, please visit the ‘’Shop Local’’ page of our website.Products can also be purchased through our online shop and selected online stockists, shipping orders all over the UK and Internationally.
Is Cornish Milk sold internationally?
Cornish Milk products are currently available in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and France EU. If you are located in a country outside of our current service areas and would like to place an order, please contact us directly by emailing hello@cornishmilkmineralpaint.co.uk
Are Paint swatches, charts and samples available?
Yes, Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is available for purchase in a small 250ml small project tin size. Cornish Milk’s Colour Cards with hand painted colour swatches of our whole range are available online and through Cornish Milk Stockists.
Do you offer classes or workshops using Cornish Milk Mineral Paint?
Many Cornish Milk Stockists offer classes and workshops that will teach you how to create various finishes with Cornish Milk. To find a stockist near you, please visit the ‘’shop Local’’ page of our website.We have also created a Free step-by-step downloadable tutorial to guide you through the painting process.
How do I become a Cornish Milk Stockist?
If you are interested in becoming a Cornish Milk Stockist, please fill out our application form on our ‘’Become a stockist’’ page on the website. We will confirm receipt of your application within one business day. If we are looking for a stockist in your area, we will set up a teleconference with you to learn more about your business and tell you all about what Cornish Milk can offer you as one of its Stockists.
What is the Cornish Milk Influencer programme?
Cornish Milk is seeking influencers to complete beautiful projects, take gorgeous photography and videography, and be an inspirational superstar in exchange for product perks such as discounts, social collaborations, and early access to new products. If you are interested in getting involved, please fill out a Cornish Milk Influencer Application and we will get back to you shortly.
CORNISH MILK MINERAL PAINT FAQ
where is Cornish Milk Mineral Paint made?
Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is proudly manufactured in the United Kingdom. We have partnered with an award winning paint chemist and paint manufacturing team based within the United Kingdom.
What type of paint is Cornish Milk Mineral Paint?
Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is a water-based decorative paint with an ultra matte finish. It is a 100% bio-acrylic paint, containing calcium carbonate and other binders to give it exceptional adhesion properties. Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is specifically designed to perform well with a variety of different techniques and surfaces. Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is an interior and exterior paint, with a built in top-coat, weather shield and UV protector.
What should I do before a begin painting?
Cornish Milk Mineral Paint adheres to most surfaces without sanding or priming, but we do always highly recommend that you lightly sand/scuff your surface prior to painting. We recommend applying Cornish Milk Mineral Paint to a clean, dry surface. Use our biodegradable cleaner ‘’BioClean’’ to scrub the surface to be painted, then rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry completely before painting.
Certain surfaces will require additional prep work. Continue reading these FAQs for information regarding painting paint-resistant surfaces, such as melamine or laminate, rusted surfaces, raw wood, or surfaces with loose or peeling paint.
TIP: Cornish Milk’s Extreme lacquer and stain block can be used to seal up odours and stains from musty or smoky furniture. Brushing our lacquer is an easy way to coat the interiors of large case goods.
Cornish Milk tins should always be shaken and thoroughly stirred prior to use and pour your paint into a separate container while working and clean the rim of your paint tin as soon as possible. This will make it easier to properly close the tin when you are done.
FOR MORE TEXTURE in your finish, you can leave your paint container open for about 30 minutes before painting. This will allow some of the water to evaporate and thicken the paint.
Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is water-based, which means that you always have the option to THIN OUT YOUR PAINT by adding water. We recommend doing this in a separate mixing container and adding water slowly in controlled increments. Never add water directly into the tin - it can contaminate the paint.
What surfaces can Cornish Milk Mineral Paint be used on?
Cornish Milk Mineral Paint adheres to most surfaces, including wood (raw, waxed, oil-based, lacquered and stained finishes), metal, matte plastics, brick, concrete and stone. There are, however, certain surfaces that do not accept paint and should not be painted. These include oily woods such as teak and eucalyptus, powder-coated metal, thermofoil cabinets and furniture, kitchen and bathroom countertops, and many types of tile, unless you use a primer before painting for this type of surface.
When in doubt or on large projects, we always recommend testing in small areas before painting the entire piece.
Can Cornish Milk Mineral Paint be used on unfinished woods?
Yes, Cornish Milk Mineral Paint works beautifully over raw wood; however, some woods require additional surface prep.Some woods contain tannins that may bleed through the paint as it dries, leaving orange or pinkish stains.
OAK and MAHOGANY are the most likely offenders. To avoid bleed through, use our Extreme Lacquer and Stain block, which is our non-toxic sealer, to seal up any knots or wood-filled areas prior to painting. If you have already begun painting and notice stains, apply our lacquer on top of the paint, allow it to dry, and then apply an additional coat of paint.
If you are painting over raw wood, you may notice RAISED WOOD GRAIN after the first coat. To achieve a smoother finish, sand after the first coat of paint.
Can Cornish Milk Mineral Paint be used on melamine, laminate and non-porous surfaces?
Cornish Milk Mineral Paint will adhere to some “paint-resistant” surfaces, such as melamine and laminate, with extra preparation. Clean the surface, sand it with fine (180-220 grit) sandpaper, and wipe away the dust. Apply one thin coat of Cornish Milk Mineral Paint and allow it to dry for 12-24 hours. The curing process will begin during this time, ensuring that the paint will adhere to the surface. You can then apply the second coat of paint and proceed normally with your project.
Can Cornish Milk Mineral Paint be used on fabrics?
Cornish Milk Mineral Paint can be used on some fabrics; however, NATURAL FABRICS and LEATHERS work best. Add up to 40% water to the paint in a separate mixing container and apply the paint in thin layers, allowing it to dry completely (preferably overnight) between coats. Sand the paint between coats to prevent it from forming a crust, which may crack when weight is applied to it. This technique is best executed on upholstery where the fabric is pulled taut. On furniture with a lot of give, you may notice cracks over time. A Finishing Wax can be used to seal and protect the painted fabric after painting.
Can Cornish Milk Mineral Paint be used on surfaces with rust or peeling paint?
If you paint over RUST, it will likely return through your finish. This may or may not be your desired look. To control the rust, sand off as much of it as possible and treat the surface with a rust inhibitor or a rusty metal primer before painting. You can also use our Extreme lacquer and stain block too.Always sand away any loose or PEELING PAINT before applying fresh paint over it.
Can Cornish Milk Mineral Paint be used on outdoor projects and furniture?
Yes, Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. However, if you are using the paint for an exterior application, you should seal your surface with our Extreme Lacquer and stain block, available in a matte and satin sheen finish. You can also leave the surface no-protected and the paint finish will weather naturally over time. After painting and before exposing your piece to the outdoor elements, allow the paint to dry overnight.
Can Cornish Milk Mineral Paint be used on kitchen and bathroom cabinets?
Yes, painting cabinets with Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is a great way to transform your kitchen, bathroom, or storage spaces. However, not all types of cabinets are good candidates for painting. Before you begin, confirm what material your cabinets are made out of and how they have been previously treated or finished.Cornish Milk Mineral Paint will adhere to most surfaces, including OIL-BASED PAINT, LACQUER and POLYURETHANE.
Very SHINY SURFACES should be lightly sanded prior to painting to promote adhesion. Most SOLID WOOD cabinets can be painted successfully. Some types of woods, such as OAK and MAHOGANY, may require a primer coat of our Extreme lacquer and stain blocker, our non-toxic sealer, to block stains that may be pulled through the wood grain.Even though MELAMINE or LAMINATE cabinets are not usually intended to be painted, Cornish Milk Mineral Paint will adhere to the surface with a little sanding and some patience. Cornish Milk Mineral Paint adheres better to difficult surfaces if allowed to dry a day between coats.
Cabinets finished with THERMOFOIL should not be painted. Thermofoil is a thin layer of synthetic materials (paper and resin wrap that may mimic wood grain) that are heat-wrapped around a base of engineered wood. A thermofoil surface will not accept paint long-term. Some older styles of thermofoil can be peeled away and removed with the help of a heat gun or hair dryer. If you have doubts about the material of your cabinets, your cabinet manufacturer may be able to provide a product description.
Once you have painted and completed your cabinets, we do highly recommend that you give them a coat or two, using our extreme lacquer and stain block. This will give your cabinets high-traffic durability and make them look amazing for years to come.
Can Cornish Milk Mineral Paint be used on walls or lime walls in older properties?
Yes, Cornish Milk Mineral Paint can be used on walls. It will provide a beautiful matte finish.
Older wall surfaces such a lime, can be painted with Cornish Milk Mineral Paint, as our paint has been made to breath. Allowing all walls and surface to breath and be mould resistant.
Can Cornish Milk Mineral Paint be used on heated surfaces and fireplaces?
Yes. Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is perfect for transforming your home radiators or fire surrounds, Cornish Milk has a heat resistance up to 80oc. Heat over this temperature should not be painted.
Can Cornish Milk Mineral Paint be used in a paint gun/sprayer?
Yes, Cornish Milk Mineral Paint can be applied through a paint sprayer, but it will need to be thinned with approximately 25-30% water (check your sprayer’s requirements) prior to spraying.
How much paint do I need for my project?
Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is currently sold in 250ml small project tins and 500ml large project paint tins.
One 500ml tin will cover approximately 150 square feet (13.9 square metres). One 250ml tin will cover about (7.4 square metres). When calculating how much paint you need, make sure to consider the number of coats you will be applying to your surface. For example, with two coats, a 500ml tin of paint will cover 75 square feet of surface area.
TIP: Some colours cover better than others, due to the way the natural pigments work within the paints, this is the same for all brands of paint. Cornish Milk’s reds, yellows and whites, especially ‘’Salt’’ our purest White, have the least amount of coverage.
Do you offer custom colour shades?
How long does Cornish Milk Mineral Paint take to dry and cure?
Cornish Milk Mineral Paint dries in about 10-20 minutes or when the surface no longer feels cool to the touch. Dry time may vary depending on your climate and the thickness of application.
The second coat will dry faster than the first coat, and more heavily pigmented colours (darker and/or brighter) will take longer to dry, around 30-40 minutes.
When freshly painted, your finish will feel quite soft. This is the best time to manipulate it with techniques such as distressing, applying top coats, such as wax, etc. As the paint cures (a process which takes approximately 48 hours), the painted surface becomes much harder and more difficult to manipulate. Force drying the paint with heat, such as a hairdryer, makes it dry harder and cure quicker.
Please keep in mind to be careful with your newly painted projects for the first 24 hours, while the paint is curing.
How should I store my tins of Cornish Milk Mineral Paint?
Since Cornish Milk Mineral Paint dries so quickly, it is best to keep as much paint as possible out of the rim of the tin so that the lid can be securely replaced. Pour the paint you need into a separate container to use for painting and clean out the rim of the can as soon as possible.Use a rubber mallet to gently pound down the lid on the tin, being careful not to damage the delicate rim.
A sheet of a cling wrap over the top of the closed lid will help to ensure an airtight seal.
Store your paint in a cool, dry place. Cornish Milk Mineral Paint does not contain antifreeze and should be protected from freezing temperatures. Keep out of direct sunlight to stop the paint from drying and curing within the tin.
If you do not have a lot of paint left within a tin, then we recommend you replace the remaining paint in a small airtight container.
My question was no featured here?
If we have not answered a question you are looking for, then please email us directly with your question at hello@cornishmilkmineralpaint.co.uk.We will respond within one business day to your email and help you with your question.
You can also ask your question to your local stockist and they will be able to offer hands on help and advice. To find your local stockist, please visit the ‘’Shop Local’’ page on our website.
CORNISH MILK TROUBLESHOOTING
Cornish Milk Mineral Paint is separating on the surface?
IN THE TIN: If you have opened a tin of Cornish Milk Mineral Paint and see an oily substance on the top, then please close the lid and give the paint a good shake/stir. This will be our unique bio-resin which is the built-in topcoat formula. This can rise to the surface and the earth pigments within the paint can settle at the bottom of the tin. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.
ON A SURFACE: At times, Cornish Milk Mineral Paint may have trouble adhering to a surface, and will immediately separate into a web-like pattern when applied. This can happen when painting non-porous, paint-resistant surfaces, or surfaces that have been cleaned with furniture polishes containing silicone.
NOTE: This will also happen when applying paint to Thermofoil or some engineered wood. We do not recommend painting thermofoil, as this surface will not accept paint long-term.
To stop this, Clean the surface, sand it with fine (180-220 grit) sandpaper, and wipe away the dust. Apply one thin coat of Cornish Milk Mineral Paint and allow it to dry for 24 hours. The curing process will begin during this time, making it easier for the next coat of paint to adhere to the surface. You can then apply the second coat of paint and proceed normally with your project.
Stains are appearing after painting?
Stains can show up as the paint dries as orange or pinkish spots. This is usually caused by tannins that are bleeding out of an open-grained wood into the fresh paint. Oak and mahogany are the most likely offenders. Stains can also be caused by oils bleeding out of wood filler or previous oily spills.
THE SOLUTION: Wipe on one or two thin coats of our Extreme Lacquer and Stain Block, our non-toxic sealer on top of the stains, or paint the whole piece. The easiest way to apply Extreme lacquer is to dip a brush into the tin and wipe it across the stained areas. After the lacquer dries (in a matter of a few minutes), you can then repaint the area with Cornish Milk Mineral Paint.
TIP: Do not sand mahogany furniture prior to painting. This will remove the existing topcoat which can encourage bleeding through. Simply paint this project first in our Extreme Lacquer and stain Blocker.
Cracks have appeared once I finished painting?
Cracking can occur for a number of different reasons: if the paint was applied too thickly and caused uneven surface expansion or contraction, if you paint a second coat or expose the surface to moisture before the first coat is completely dry, if the surface is exposed to a heat source such as strong sunshine or warm air from a hair dryer or heat vent (seen most often on lighter colours), if harsh cleaners, such as trisodium phosphate, were used and not rinsed appropriately, if the surface was previously cleaned with a spray furniture polish containing silicone, or if the surface was sealed with shellac that was applied too thickly or was past its shelf life.
THE SOLUTION: Lightly sand the affected areas with medium grit sandpaper and apply a coat or two of our Extreme lacquer and stain block. Re-apply Cornish Milk Mineral Paint.
Smelly or mouldy paint.
Smelly or mouldy paint is usually caused by contaminants found in water. Never add water directly to a tin off paint. Even a brush that’s wet with water can contaminate a tin off paint.
THE SOLUTION: It’s best to decant the paint into another container to use while painting.
Cornish Milk Mineral Paint does have a slight scent and this is caused by the bio-resin used for our built-in topcoat.
You can contact us directly on hello@cornishmilkmineralpaint.co.uk if you would like to replace your tin of paint. We will request that the paint purchased is returned.
Rusty paint tins.
Hammering a lid onto the can too hard can damage the lacquered liner inside the tin and expose the metal, which then rusts.
THE SOLUTION: Be diligent about cleaning out the rim of the paint can and use a rubber mallet to gently replace the lid.
Paint within a rusty tin is still safe to use and we recommend replacing your paint in another airtight container and out of the tin.
Dried out paint in the tin.
Failing to create an airtight seal on the paint after use can lead to dried out paint.
THE SOLUTION: Covering up the top of the tin with cling wrap is an easy way to create an airtight seal, particularly when the seal has been compromised by dried paint in the rim of the tin.
Another solution would be to replace your used paint into another clean airtight container for storage. This is also recommended if you are not going to use the paint again in some time.
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