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The Best Mineral Fusion Paint

Last updated on June 17, 2022

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Our Picks For The Top Mineral Fusion Paints

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
 Top Pick

Country Chic Paint Chalky Matte Finish Mineral Fusion Paint

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Country Chic Paint

Chalky Matte Finish Mineral Fusion Paint

This high-quality chalky matte-finish paint has a built-in primer and top coat, and it is self-leveling for an incredibly smooth finish. It also blends beautifully, contains no harsh chemicals, has almost no odor and is very durable.

Overall Take

Trendy TintingYou'll be drawn to the soothing, trendy colors and will want to use this paint for craft projects, furniture and even upholstery.

 Runner Up

Rust-Oleum Metallic Accents Water Based Mineral Fusion Paint

Rust-Oleum

Metallic Accents Water Based Mineral Fusion Paint

Rust-Oleum's metallic accent paint is rich and sophisticated. It has an iridescent personality that instantly upgrades whatever it comes into contact with. The water-based formula dries in 30 minutes with a one-step application.

Overall Take

Shiny, Burnished FinishAdd some shimmer to your home or projects with this quart of paint, and you won't need to use much to get the results you're looking for.

 We Also Like

General Finishes Milk Paint Self-Sealing Mineral Fusion Paint

General Finishes

Milk Paint Self-Sealing Mineral Fusion Paint

Here's a premium milk paint rated for interior and exterior use. You can apply it onto prepped finished surfaces or directly onto raw wood. It does not need a top coat and comes in 33 elegant colors.

Overall Take

Matte, But Not FlatThe gentle matte finish is so easy on the eyes, and if you've never tried milk paint, now is the time to do so.

 Strong Contender

Chalky Chicks Chalk Matte Finish Mineral Fusion Paint

Chalky Chicks

Chalk Matte Finish Mineral Fusion Paint

Chalky Chicks' premium-quality chalk finish paint comes in 45 colors and easily sticks to cement, raw and stained wood, glass, metal and even fabrics. You only need one quart to cover 150 square feet! You can dilute it with water, use it as a stain and seal it with clear furniture wax or polyacrylic.

Overall Take

Does WondersTransform that old table, chair or bed frame with any one of the gorgeous colors.

Buying Guide

Mineral fusion paints are all the rage these days because they come in modern, versatile colors that can instantly upgrade whatever you are painting. Even better, they are lead-free, non-toxic, odor-free and don’t contain volatile organic compounds (VOC), formaldehyde or ammonia.

Many mineral fusion paints are also made with built-in primers and topcoats, making them easier to apply. These higher-end decorative paints are not inexpensive, and are often used to paint furniture and smaller pieces instead of entire rooms. Whatever gets painted can serve as a focal point for the space it’s in.

Chalky mineral paint creates a matte, chalk-like finish that is trendy these days. It is water-based and usually dries down into a distressed, soft look because it contains calcium carbonate or plaster of Paris. The look is clean and vintage rather than glossy. In most cases, you won’t need to do any prep work as long as the surface is clean; usually, no sanding or priming is required.

Milk paint is also mineral-based and has a similar kind of finish, but in addition to being water-based, it also has milk proteins. This milk protein gives it a sheen that many describe as a more “natural” choice. You can also find paints with mica beads blended into them to create metallic, iridescent finishes. These premium paints are sold in smaller cans; you won’t often see them sold in gallons. They can also have shorter shelf lives, especially the milk paint; you’ll want to read the product descriptions carefully.

What to Look For

  • Examples of VOCs include methyl text-butyl ether (MTBE), chloroform, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde.
  • You must mix milk paint before it can be used.
  • You can buy a chalk-style or natural-bristle paint brush with your chalk-style paint.
  • Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth and gentle cleaner before painting.
  • Always stir your paint before using it to properly distribute the coloring and minerals.
  • Some mineral paints need no primers or sealants and require only one coat, saving you time and extra effort.
  • You can still use a sealer on chalk or milk paint. Use an oil, wax or polyurethane sealant if you go this route.
  • Both of these types of paint dry quickly, in as little as 30 minutes.

More to Explore

Milk paint has become quite popular and is usually sold in powder form in packets; these get mixed with an equal amount of water (use a mixing attachment or drill), which causes the lime inside of it to activate the milk protein. Once mixed, though, you must use it within 24 hours. It’s great when you want a deep color, low glossiness and a distressed, “chippy” look. Milk paint is organic, and chalk paint is inorganic, but both have next to no VOCs. Don’t drink the former, but you could use the latter to paint an old chalkboard!

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