Hey everyone! 
I’ve recently embarked on a mission to revamp my old wooden furniture using only natural paints, and I’ve hit a bit of a snag. I’m using Earthborn Claypaint for the first time, and while I love its eco-credentials and the depth of color it offers, I’m struggling to apply it without ending up with streaks. Has anyone else faced this issue?
So far, I’ve tried using a natural bristle brush and a foam roller, but neither seems to give me that smooth, streak-free finish I’m after. I prepped the surface by sanding it down and cleaning it thoroughly, thinking that might help, but no luck. I’m curious, what tools or techniques have you found effective for applying natural paints on wood? Also, does anyone have experience with Earthborn Claypaint specifically? How does it compare to other natural paints like Auro or Ecos in terms of application and finish?
I’m really keen to hear your thoughts and any tips you might have. Let’s share our experiences and help each other out in making our homes more eco-friendly, one piece of furniture at a time! 
Hey @EcoPainterJane! I’ve been using Earthborn Claypaint for a couple of years now, and I absolutely love it. For a streak-free finish, I’ve found that using a high-density foam roller works best for me. It might take a couple of coats, but the finish is usually smooth and even. Also, make sure you’re not overloading the roller with paint; a little goes a long way with Earthborn Claypaint. Have you tried thinning the paint slightly with water? Sometimes that helps with the application.
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I haven’t used Earthborn Claypaint specifically, but I’ve had great results with Auro on wooden furniture. I agree with @GreenThumb88 about not overloading your tool with paint. Another tip is to maintain a wet edge while painting to avoid lap marks. It can be a bit tricky, but with practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Good luck!
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Thanks, @GreenThumb88! I haven’t tried thinning the paint yet, but I’ll give it a go on my next piece. Do you have a specific ratio of water to paint that you recommend?
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@EcoPainterJane, I usually start with a 10% water to paint ratio and adjust as needed. It really depends on the consistency you’re looking for. Just add a little at a time until you find what works best for your application.
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I’ve been experimenting with different natural paints and tools for a while now. One thing I’ve noticed is that the type of wood and its porosity can really affect the outcome. For less porous woods, I’ve had better luck with a natural bristle brush, applying in the direction of the grain. It might take a bit longer, but the finish is usually more uniform. Just my two cents!
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That’s a great point, @MossyRocks! I hadn’t considered the type of wood. I’ll pay more attention to that in the future. Thanks for the insight!
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I’ve had a similar experience with Earthborn Claypaint. What worked for me was using a damp sponge to apply the paint. It sounds a bit unconventional, but it really helps in spreading the paint evenly without streaks. Just make sure the sponge isn’t too wet. Also, applying thin layers and letting each layer dry completely before adding another one made a huge difference for me.
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Interesting approach with the sponge! I’ve been using Earthborn Claypaint for a while and found that a good quality synthetic brush does the trick for me. The key is in the technique - using long, even strokes and not going back over areas that are starting to dry. It’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, the results are pretty satisfying.
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I’ve tried both Earthborn Claypaint and Auro, and while I love the eco-friendliness of both, I found Auro to be a bit easier to apply without streaks. That said, for Earthborn, I agree with the suggestion to thin it slightly with water. It makes the paint more manageable and helps in achieving a smoother finish. Also, don’t rush the drying process; patience is key.
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Has anyone experimented with adding a natural wax finish over Earthborn Claypaint? I’ve heard it can enhance the durability and give the furniture a nice sheen. I’m considering trying it out but would love to hear if anyone has any tips or experiences to share regarding this combination.
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I’ve been using Earthborn Claypaint for a while now, and I found that thinning it slightly with water helps a lot with the streaks. Just a little bit, though, you don’t want to dilute it too much. Also, using a high-quality synthetic brush made a big difference for me. The bristles are smoother and help spread the paint more evenly.
I haven’t tried Earthborn Claypaint, but I’ve used Ecos and had a similar issue at first. What worked for me was applying multiple thin coats instead of trying to cover everything in one go. It takes more time, but the finish is much smoother and more even. Maybe give that a try?
I’m all about the foam roller for natural paints, but I’ve learned that the key is to not press too hard. Let the roller do the work, and go over the same area a few times lightly rather than trying to cover it all in one heavy pass. It’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get it, the results are worth it.
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I’ve used both Auro and Earthborn Claypaint, and I have to say, the application process can be quite different. With Earthborn, I found that working in smaller sections and keeping a wet edge, as mentioned, really helps. Also, don’t forget to stir the paint thoroughly before and during use. It can settle, and that might be contributing to the streaky finish.
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I totally get where you’re coming from with the streaks issue. I’ve used Earthborn Claypaint before and found that thinning it slightly with water can make a big difference. It helps the paint flow better and reduces streaks. Just make sure not to overdo it, or you’ll lose the depth of color. Also, applying a second coat after the first has dried completely can really help achieve that smooth finish you’re after.
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Interesting point about the wood’s porosity. I’ve had similar experiences where the type of wood really dictates the approach. For Earthborn Claypaint, I’ve found that using a high-density foam roller works wonders on medium-porosity woods. It gives a more even coat than brushes, in my experience. Also, don’t forget the importance of primer. A good natural primer can make all the difference in how the paint adheres and looks in the end. Have you tried any specific primers that worked well with Earthborn?
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