Q: I'm thinking of hacking a toy kitchen for my daughter -- some of the colors/finishes just aren't my style. My question for the DIY crowd is - what kind of paint should I use that is safe for my family?
Sent by Daniela
Editor: Truthfully, I don't know much about paint. If you plan to use interior paint, look for low VOC (volatile organic compounds) options. I'm not sure what your options are for craft paint if you're only using small amounts. Readers, can you help?
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You could get the sample size pots of interior low VOC paint. And there's a low VOC poly substitute, Acrilaq (sp?), if you're worried about durability and wipe-ability.
I used Benjamin Moore's Aura paint on a baby cradle. This was recommended by the company. I just sent an e-mail to the company asking what would be the safest and most durable for a baby cradle.
For your purposes Aura would work or Natura would as well.
If it's plastic (like most toy kitchens), won't most regular paints have a hard time sticking? I know they make a spray paint that's designed for plastic items, but, ew, aerosols.
I used Mythic for ours. It's a premium line of latex no VOC paints. The coverage and color was really nice. Especially this time of year where youd likely need to paint inside (as even a closed garage may be too cold for paint to try well) you want to make sure you're not putting your family at risk. We got out can ( a quart) at our local ACE Hardware. Mythic is made in the US too!
use Horizon, but Rona has also just started a line of Low-VIC recycled paints. If you're painting onto wood those would work find. I wouldn't recommend painting a plastic play kitchen.
How about milk paint? According to this site, it's free of any nasties and safe on children's furniture and toys.
http://www.milkpaint.com/path_safe.html
Would work great on wood I'm sure.
AND you can purchase sample sizes of those Mythic brand paints for $5 at Land of Nod.com