I am wanting to get a thick wet paint type of milk, instead i get foam but a bit more airy. I have a typical milk jug but maybe it is too small, then again I don't want to use 3 cups of milk to get the velvety microfoam. Would I be better off trying a different wand tip? Thanks!

The search tool is your friend: "microfoam".

Some quick hints (I also own a Silvia):
- Few moments after you turn on the steam switch, purge the water from the wand until you get dry steam
- Wait for the heater to turn off
- Keep the steam wand on the surface of the milk (quiet high pitch aspiration sound, no big gurgling)
- As soon as you feel the milk is warm to the touch, raise the pitcher to sink the wand in the milk
- Continue until you can't keep your hand against the pitcher because it's too hot, it's ready. You can also do it by sound, the pitch will change as the milk gets to the correct temperature.
- Purge and clean the wand.

Depending on the shape of your pitcher, you need to place the wand in the right spot to create a whirl.

I do it slightly different to the above,

- Allow the steam light to go out meaning the boiler is no longer on.
- Purge the steam till the boiler light comes back on this can take a minute
- close the steam tap and this is a bit trial and error,the boiler will start up again this time however you don't want the light to go out you want to steam the milk while the boiler is still on!!!this will give maximum power!!! open it periodically over the course of 1-2 minutes and see how strong the steam is you will eventually be able to see when its ready if the boiler light goes out game over you have to start again. ideally you want to start steaming your milk just before the boiler turns off..

- Milk wise get a vortex going to spin the milk start lowering the pitcher so you hear a wooosh sound this is letting a constant amount of air in and the bubbles forming will be so tiny you wont even see them!
- I then put the steam tip to the front or back so the air moves in a U shape down the jug this sort of flips the milk over finish by putting the steam tip in the vortex position and raising the pitcher.
- amount of air to put in. I usually allow the milk to stretch about 1/5 - 1/4 of it original volume.
- i use a 350ml jug smaller meaning the steam is essentially going to seem more powerful. i wouldnt use over 500 ml

- bang and keep your milk swirling in the jug before the pour if you let the milk settle even for 10-15 seconds it will never mix again. it should be creamy looking and silky.

BEN

ld make sure youve purged the steam line, could you give some more detail on what your doing ,step by step

srossnz wrote:I am wanting to get a thick wet paint type of milk, instead i get foam but a bit more airy. I have a typical milk jug but maybe it is too small, then again I don't want to use 3 cups of milk to get the velvety microfoam. Would I be better off trying a different wand tip? Thanks!

There is no typical milk jug (steaming pitcher), made in different sizes. It is important to use the right size for the quantity of milk being steamed to get proper milk action. Try:
Trad cap to 8oz latte 12oz pitcher
10-14oz latte 20oz pitcher
16-24oz latte 32oz pitcher