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Tree Bark Paint
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Colors shown are as accurate as possible, but for representational purposes only. Please test color in context to ensure desired result.

Tree Bark Paint

Tree Bark Paint

$20.99 – $75.99

A deep green with brown undertones that are reminiscent of a dense moody forest landscape. Real Milk Paint is CPSC Compliant, making it safe for even the smallest ones in your life.

RMPFinishes_ApplicatorBundle_Paint_v3

Paint Applicator Bundle

Create a flawless milk paint finish with our Paint Applicator bundle! Prep your surface with the Surfprep RAD Pads, apply your favorite color with the Zibra 2" Precision Brush, and smooth with the Surfprep Non-woven pad to a velvety touch.

Transparent Ingredients

Made In Tennessee

Expert Customer Support

Fast Shipping

BeforeAfter

Real Milk Paint Tree Bark color is a deep green with brown undertones that are reminiscent of a dense moody forest landscape. Tree Bark shade has always been associated with natural growth and regeneration. It’s also closely tied to good health, as it can help people feel more relaxed and energized.

Environmentally Friendly, Non-Toxic, Powder Paint! Just Add Water!

Real Milk Paint is the ideal choice for an environmentally friendly, non-toxic paint that gives you convenience and a broad color selection. When choosing milk paint always choose products from The Real Milk Paint Company.

  • Sticks to raw wood, plaster, dry wall, stone, unsealed brick and concrete
  • Paint right on existing finishes for a Peele, Chippy or crackled surface
  • No Primer need on raw wood and porous surfaces
  • Sticks to latex with the addition of Ultra Bond
  • Easy to use, water-based formula
  • Each bag contains everything needed, just add water
  • Remains usable for a minimum of two weeks after mixing with water
  • Does not congeal to a blob
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Non-toxic
  • Does not contain radioactive Kaolin Clays as a filler
  • Traditional color palette, based on antique painted furniture
  • Virtually no odor
  • No residual odor after drying
  • Dries fast

Why Our Milk Paint is Powder

Our milk paint comes in powder form for several key reasons. By manufacturing milk paint as a powder, we extend its shelf life significantly—unlike pre-mixed paints, it doesn’t spoil or dry out, giving you more time to use it without waste. This form also offers flexibility; you can mix only as much paint as needed for your project, ensuring minimal product waste. Additionally, the absence of “water weight” in the powdered formula reduces shipping costs and carbon emissions, making it a more eco-friendly choice compared to traditional paints. The manufacturing process itself is clean and sustainable, using natural, nontoxic ingredients derived from milk protein, plants, and minerals.

NOTE: All colors shown both digitally and in print are for representational purposes only. Please test any color in context to ensure it is the color you desire.

How To Use Real Milk Paint®

With every painting project, the preparation is just as important as the paint. Follow the guidance below to get your surface ready for Real Milk Paint®.

  • Make sure the surface is free of contamination, wax, grease, or oils. We recommend residue free cleaners such as EMERGE Cleaner & Degreaser or TSP (trisodium phosphate).
  • For painting over nonporous or previously finished surfaces always test for adhesion or use Ultra Bond to ensure adhesion. Real Milk Paint® is a natural product and sticks best to other natural, porous surfaces like raw wood, concrete, brick, terra cotta, etc.
  • To remove conventional paint or finishes prior to using milk paint, we recommend Soy Gel. Or use Milk Paint Remover to strip away protein-based paints like milk paint.
  • Do not use color changing filler to repair any holes prior to using Real Milk Paint®. There is a reaction between the lime in the milk paint and the color-changing filler that turns the filler back to a pinkish-purple tone after it has dried. We recommend using Real Wood Filler.
  • Do not use Bondo to repair holes prior to using Real Milk Paint®. This can often times be sanded too smooth or contain vinyl which resists milk paint adhering.

Should I use a primer?

This is a common question that can vary based on the scenario. Real Milk Paint® is best on raw/unfinished, porous materials such as wood, concrete, brick, etc. If working with this material surface, we do not recommend using a primer.

If you are painting a wall, or a previously finished surface that is not porous, you likely will need to use a primer. We recommend water-based (usually made of acrylic) primers such as Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer.

Measuring The Amount

Each Real Milk Paint® package contains the appropriate amount of powdered milk paint to create the stated amount of paint (pint/quart/gallon). The recommended mixture is one part milk paint powder to one part water:

  • Pint – 1.25 cups of powder mixes with 1.25 cups of water
  • Quart – 2.5 cups of powder mixes with 2.5 cups of water
  • Gallon – 10 cups of powder mixes with 10 cups of water

Each cup of mixed paint covers approximately 28 sq. feet with one coat.

How To Mix Milk Paint

Similar to mixing boxed pancakes or a protein powder, it’s easy to mix milk paint.

  1. Open the container and remove the bag of powdered milk paint.
  2. Open the bag and add the entire bag contents back into the container or add a measured amount.
    • Do not mix milk paint in a steel container. It’s best to mix milk paint in a glass, plastic, or lined paper container like the one provided.
  3. Add equal parts of water into the container.
    Tap water can be used. For best results, use warm or distilled water.
  4. Milk paint can be mixed by stirring with a paint stick or by shaking using the included marble. Add Anti-Foam if necessary to reduce excess foaming.
  5. After mixing, let paint rest for 10 minutes so powder fully dissolves in water. Shake or stir again as needed.

Real Milk Paint® should have a creamy, “melted milkshake” consistency. If the paint is too thin, add small amounts of milk paint powder in, stirring or shaking as necessary. If the consistency of the paint is too thick, add small amounts of water into the mixture.

Adding Ultra Bond

For painting over existing finishes, previously painted surfaces, or a non-porous materials, we recommend using Ultra Bond in Real Milk Paint®. Add Ultra Bond to the mixed, liquid milk paint after following the steps above. We recommend adding about 25% Ultra Bond to milk paint. Here is a handy guide on how much Ultra Bond to add by size:

  • Pint – Add 4 oz of Ultra Bond
  • Quart – Add 8 oz of Ultra Bond
  • Gallon – Add 32 oz of Ultra Bond

Simply pour Ultra Bond into liquid milk paint and stir well.

Follow the instructions below to get a flawless milk paint finish.

  1. Apply Real Milk Paint® using a quality painter’s brush, bristle brush, foam brush, or roller. Foam rollers with a thin NAP are recommended as they don’t absorb too much paint.
  2. Dip your brush well into the milk paint. Do not use “foam” from the surface of the liquid paint for application.
  3. Apply milk paint across the surface in manageable sections using long, smooth strokes to distribute the paint evenly. Always blend each new stroke back into the wet boundary of the previous section, maintaining a “wet edge” so the entire coat fuses together without leaving visible overlapping seams.
  4. Allow paint to dry for 30 minutes before applying successive coats. Real Milk Paint® dries quickly!
  5. For complete and even coverage, two coats are recommended.
  6. (Optional) Lightly sand or use a burnishing pad or 0000 steel wool to smooth milk paint.
  7. Clean up with mild soap and water.
    For a professional cleaning of your brushes, use Lye Soap. Designed specifically to help lift and remove milk paint for an easier and more thorough clean.

Sealing Milk Paint

Milk paint is a porous paint and if left unsealed may absorb dirt, greases, and stains. After the paint has dried, it can be sealed with a variety of finishes. For more information, click the “Sealing & Topcoats” toggle below.

Unlike modern, conventional paints which coat surfaces in a layer of plastic, Real Milk Paint® is naturally porous and absorbent. Because of this, milk paint is not resistant to liquids on it’s own. We recommend sealing or top-coating milk paint. It’s important to note that when applying a seal or topcoat, especially waxes, some pigment transfer to the applicator is normal.

Real Milk Paint® can be sealed/top-coated with most available finishes on the market such as finishing oils, waxes, poly’s, shellac, varnish, and more. Each will have a minimal or significant effect on the milk paint, so testing beforehand is recommend. In the table below are our recommendations for sealing milk paint:

Seal/Topcoat Best Over Milk Paint For Color Change Dry Time Sheen Indoor/Outdoor
Furniture Wax Light to moderately used painted surfaces such as furniture, chairs, and decorative items. Clear – minimal change to color.
Colors – Significant		 30 minutes dry to touch. 24 hours full cure. Matt to satin sheen. Indoor
Paste Wax Moderate to heavy use painted surfaces such as tool boxes, work benches, and floors. Clear – minimal color change. Not recommended over dark colors.
Brown – Significant color change.		 30 minutes dry to touch. 24 hours full cure. Satin to high sheen. Indoor or outdoors under covered areas.
Wood Wax On surfaces where durability and food contact safety is a concern such as spoons, bowls, and wooden toys. Significant color change. Typically, darkening most colors. 5-7 days dry to the touch. 10-14 days full cure. Satin to high sheen. Indoor or outdoors under covered areas.
Finishing Creams Light to moderately used painted surfaces such as cabinets, chairs, and islands. Minimal color change. 30 minutes dry to touch. 24 hours full cure. Matte to High Sheen Indoor
Pure Tung Oil / Dark Tung Oil Moderate to heavy use painted surfaces over very absorbent materials such as concrete, barn wood, unpolished tile, and cinder block.  Significant color change. Typically, darkening most colors. 7-10 days dry to the touch. 14 – 30 days full cure. Matt to satin sheen. Indoor or outdoors.
Half & Half / Dark Half Moderate to heavy use painted surfaces over porous materials such as floors, wood furniture, and kitchen items.  Significant color change. Typically, darkening most colors. 7-10 days dry to the touch. 14 – 30 days full cure. Matt to satin sheen. Indoor or outdoors.
Outdoor Defense Oil Moderate to heavy use painted surfaces over porous materials such as patio furniture, garden beds, and beehives. Significant color change. Typically, darkening most colors. 7-10 days dry to the touch. 14 – 30 days full cure. Matt to satin sheen. Indoor or outdoors.
Hemp Oil Light to moderate use painted surfaces over porous materials such as wooden toys, wooden furniture, and kitchen items.  Significant color change. Typically, darkening most colors. 7-10 days dry to the touch. 14 – 30 days full cure. Matt to satin sheen. Indoors

Real Milk Paint® creates unique and inviting spaces when painting walls due to it’s natural variation in tones. Though flat in sheen, milk paint does not create a completely even color tone across large surfaces. Use our Paint Calculator to see how much milk paint you’ll need for your project. Follow the steps below to get the most out of applying milk paint to walls.

Should I use a primer?

If you are painting a wall that was previously painted or a finished surface that is not porous, you likely will need to use a primer. We recommend water-based (usually made of acrylic) primers such as Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer.

Applying to walls

  1. Mix milk paint according to instructions provided and previously noted.
  2. For the smoothest application, use a foam roller with a thin NAP.
  3. When rolling a wall, work in small vertical sections using long, smooth strokes in an “N” or “W” pattern to distribute the paint evenly. Always roll back into the wet boundary of your previous pass, maintaining that wet edge so the overlapping roller tracks fuse seamlessly together.
  4. Two (2) coats are recommended for complete coverage.

It is possible to spray milk paint! You can use various kinds of paint sprayers such as HVLP to spray milk paint. We have found that gravity fed texture spray guns work best. Here are the recommended steps to take when spraying milk paint.

  1. Mix the milk paint thoroughly according to the provided instructions. Mixing the day before application allows extended time for powders to dissolve.
  2. Strain the liquid milk paint through a paint strainer or cheesecloth before pouring into the hopper.
  3. IMPORTANT: Use the largest needle size available, typically 2.0, while spraying. This helps prevent clogging.
  4. Use common, professional spraying techniques for best results.

Real Milk Paint® can be used outdoors (it is colorfast!) but there are a few specifics you should know before doing so.

The only materials that milk paint can be used on outdoors are raw, absorbent materials. These include raw wood, concrete, brick, stone, and others. If the materials are not absorbent (like finished or sealed wood, metal, fiberglass, etc) then the milk paint will not adhere to the surface nor allow for sealing of the milk paint later on.

For outdoor projects, we strongly recommend sealing Real Milk Paint® with a sealer or topcoat. Because the milk paint is porous if left unsealed it will wear from the surface and absorb water, dirt, and other stains. Often, if the milk paint gets wet or rained on before sealing, it can have a white haze where the lime of the milk paint is coming to the surface. There are many options to seal milk paint, some great options include Outdoor Defense Oil or Pure Tung Oil. Real Milk Paint® will also take other finishes such as poly, varnish, and more.

Pro Tip: Pure Tung Oil can be added to liquid Real Milk Paint® to give it water resistant properties and remove the need to seal it later on. For this method, we recommend adding 25% by volume of Pure Tung Oil to liquid milk paint. For example, if you mixed one gallon of milk paint, add one quart of Pure Tung Oil.

Liquid milk paint should be used within two weeks after mixing with water. Because Real Milk Paint® is entirely natural, disposal can be done in your compost or by local disposal regulations.

Real Milk Paint® has an extended shelf life as a dry powder (3-5 years). Store powdered milk paint in a cool, dry place in a sealed container.

Tips From The Pros

Admittedly, milk paint can be a learning (or maybe un-learning) experience as though it is a paint, it breaks what the common understanding of paint is. Here are some helpful tips from the pros here at RMP Finishes to get the most out of your milk paint.

  • When mixing the paint, use less water than called for. Mixing a thicker solution is easier and gives more control. More water can be added to get the right consistency.
  • Stir frequently while painting or after any period of time where the paint has sat between use.
  • When applying the paint, keep a wet edge. This means always blending new paint into the wet boundary of your previous section so they fuse seamlessly without creating visible, overlapping seams (lap lines).
  • Burnishing or buffing the paint between coats or after the final coats is well worth the effort for a silky smooth end result. This especially for high touch surfaces like chair arms or dresser tops. Use a fine non-woven pad or 0000 steel wool for best results.
  • Different Real Milk Paint® colors can be mixed together in powder form to create custom colors.

Customizing The Look

Real Milk Paint® is highly customizable to create the look, texture, and feel you envision. Here are a few ways to manipulate the paint to create different looks;

  • To create a wash, stain, or pickling effect with the milk paint, simply add more water to the milk paint mixture.
  • To make a distressed or worn look, use a damp cloth to gently rub away paint in the desired areas. This creates a more authentic worn look than sandpaper.
  • For a crackle or “alligator” look, paint over previously finished surfaces. Also, you can use Natural Crackle to ensure you get that aged look!
  • For a brushy old world, look to use natural bristle brushes for application.

Help To Get The Project Started

Sample

Real Milk Paint® Sample size covers approximately 2 sq. feet. This size can paint a small picture frame or add color accents to wooden children’s toys. Perfect for finding the color for your next project!

Pint

Real Milk Paint® Pint size covers approximately 35 sq. feet. Enough paint for a small dresser or two regular chairs.

Quart

Real Milk Paint® Quart size covers approximately 70 sq. feet. This size has the ability to cover a large dresser, small hutch, or headboard and footboard of a bed.

Gallon

Real Milk Paint® Gallon size covers approximately 280 sq. feet. The gallon size is the size you need to cover small kitchen cabinets or large dining room table and chairs.

Feel free to use our Paint Calculator for more help determining how much milk paint you need.

How much paint do I need?

No need to crunch numbers! Our handy paint calculator will help you figure out how much paint you need! To get started, enter the dimensions of the surface(s) you’re painting (in feet). NOTE: this is not the square footage of your floors! Our paint estimator assumes a two-coat application for optimal coverage.

For example, to paint four walls in a room you would add the width and height of each wall. Enter a single walls dimensions, click “add area”, then enter the next walls dimensions and repeat.

Paint Calculator

Enter the dimensions of each surface area

Add each surface area you’re painting, i.e. wall(s), sides of a cabinet, ceilings, etc.
ft wide
ft high
plus1 Add Area minus1 Remove Area

Windows/Doors

Are there any windows or doors in the area you are painting? Add the total number for each to subtract their area from the total.
windows (3 ft x 5 ft)
doors (3 ft x 7 ft)

Milk Paint Calculation Totals

This calculator estimates how much Real Milk Paint® you’ll need to paint your surfaces with two coats. Real Milk Paint® is estimated to cover in total 35 sq. feet per pint, 70 sq. feet per quart, and 280 sq. feet per gallon.

sq/ft
This is how much area you need to paint.

sq/ft
This is how much area you need to paint multiplied by two for the recommended two coats of coverage.

Pint(s)
How much paint you'll need to do a minimum of two coats for your entire area.

Quart(s)
How much paint you'll need to do a minimum of two coats for your entire area.

Gallon(s)
How much paint you'll need to do a minimum of two coats for your entire area.

Milk Paint Project Planning Guide

Need help planning your next project using Real Milk Paint®? Then use this handy guide to walk you through the steps! Click on the image to expand.

ProjectPlanning MilkPaint Light HiRes

What Real Milk Paint® is made of

We believe in being honest with what is in our products. That is why we provide the ingredients used in them so you can rest assured of knowing exactly what is in the product you use. It’s just another way we make it easier on you!

Milk Paint is made from

  • Casein (milk protein)
  • Calcium Lime
  • Natural Pigment colors
  • Plant-based filler (edible)

Safety Data Sheet

Want to dive in further? Then take a look at our Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Click here to view and/or download the Real Milk Paint® SDS.

CPSC LogoCPSC Compliant

Real Milk Paint is a kid safe paint and we back that up by having our milk paint tested to be compliant and meet the requirements set by the CPSC (US Consumer Product Safety Commission). Real Milk Paint meets the requirements and is suitable to be used as a kid safe paint for children and baby products. Our milk paint is tested by an ISO-accredited US CPSC-accepted lab for the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s requirements for ASTM F963-17 – Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety Soluble Heavy Metals in Paints, Surface Coatings or Substrates & Total Lead Content in Paint and Surface Coatings. Both of which Real Milk Paint passes! Now you can rest easy knowing that the paint you use is safe for even the littlest of ones in your life. Read more about this topic by clicking here!

Click here to read the Formal Letter Of Compliance.

NOTE: All unlisted Real Milk Paint® colors are made with combinations of the ingredients in the above-tested colors. In the manufacturing of Real Milk Paint® colors not listed in this report, no other ingredients are added so you can rest assured that your project, no matter the color used, has integrity.

Do you make baby and/or kids toys for sale?

If you make baby and kid’s toys for sale and wish to use Real Milk Paint we recommend purchasing the Real Milk Paint CPSC Test Report. This document is necessary to show as proof your products are in compliance with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s requirements.

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Order FAQ’s

We strive to ship orders the same day if they are placed before 12:00 PM CST, Monday through Friday. As a family-owned business in Tennessee, we hand-pack your orders during our hours of operation (9 AM – 4 PM). Orders placed over the weekend will ship the next business day.

Shipping is calculated based on the weight and destination of your specific order. We have flat-rate shipping options available for the orders inside the contiguous USA. We also offer Free Shipping on orders over $75 (within the contiguous US; some exclusions apply). You can get an instant estimate using the shipping calculator on the cart page.

Yes, we ship to many locations worldwide! To see if we can deliver to your country, simply add your desired items to the cart and use the Shipping Calculator on the Cart Page. By entering your country and postal code, you can instantly see if delivery is available to your region and get an accurate cost estimate.

Are duties and taxes included?
To make international shopping as seamless as possible, we calculate and collect all applicable shipping costs, duties, and taxes during checkout. This means your order is pre-cleared through customs, and you won’t have to worry about any unexpected “pay-on-delivery” fees or surprise bills when your package arrives.

We want you to love your project results! We accept returns on unused and unopened merchandise. We even have an easy to use Self Service Returns portal. Click here to read our full Returns & Refunds Policy.

Unfortunately, all shipping costs are non-refundable.

Because finishes can be heavy or fragile, we handle damages on a case-by-case basis. If a container arrives leaking or broken, please take a photo of the package and contact us immediately at [email protected] or use our chat or call at (800) 339-9748 so we can make it right.

P.s. Have your order number handy so we can quickly find your order on our end.

We love talking shop! You won’t get a machine when you call us. Reach out to our team of “real people” for product choice help, expert application advice, or troubleshooting. You can reach us via our chat, email at [email protected], or call at (800) 339-9748.

We’re in office Monday – Friday from 9am-4pm CST. If we miss your message, we will get back to you as soon as possible!

Yes, we have a network of retailers across the United States and internationally. Check our Store Locator to see if there is a shop near you.

Real Milk Paint® CPSC Compliance

Real Milk Paint® is a kid safe paint and we back that up by having our milk paint tested to be compliant and meet the requirements set by the CPSC (US Consumer Product Safety Commission). Real Milk Paint® meets the requirements and is suitable to be used as a kid safe paint for children and baby products. Our milk paint is tested by an ISO-accredited US CPSC-accepted lab for the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s requirements for ASTM F963-17 – Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety Soluble Heavy Metals in Paints, Surface Coatings or Substrates & Total Lead Content in Paint and Surface Coatings. Both of which Real Milk Paint® passes! Now you can rest easy knowing that the paint you use is safe for even the littlest of ones in your life. Read more about this topic by clicking here!

Click here to read the Formal Letter Of Compliance.

NOTE: All Real Milk Paint® colors are made with combinations of the ingredients in the tested colors. In the manufacturing of Real Milk Paint® colors not listed in this report, no other ingredients are added so you can rest assured that your project, no matter the color used, has integrity.

RMPFinishes MilkPaint Swatch

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