If the smell of commercial
paint gives you a headache & or the prices in the paint stores just
make you feel ill & why not make your own paint? It's surprisingly
easy and effective, and you can save cash as well as the environment
by cutting back on the use of petrochemicals. Lime wash paint doesn't
smell, and like more expensive paint, you can clean up with plain
water.
Historically, lime wash was used to protect and decorate the exterior
and interior of buildings. Today, lime washes are used in the restoration
of historical buildings and structures, as well as, in decorative
finishes.
Limewash is a traditional material that has been used for thousands
of years. Unlike modern paints, which lay on the surface of the
substrate, limewash instead acts like a stain by penetrating deep
into the pores of the substrate. This process creates a peel-free
surface that allows the substrate to breathe, and the limewash remains
vapor permeable after it cures. It is a beautiful, traditional material
that mellows gradually while it wears away, and over time it develops
the weathered patina that characterizes the Old-World charm of Europe.
It is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and contains all-natural
ingredients. Limewash also has hygienic properties and acts a mild
fungicide due to its high PH, which is why limewash was traditionally
used in hospitals and sick wards. Limewash is also suitable for
buildings that may be exposed to graffiti; because the limewash
absorbs into the masonry, it prevents the pores from absorbing stubborn
paint stains. .
To get started you just need hydrated lime from your hardware store.
All you have to do is mix it with water to get a cheap and attractive
wall covering. Lime wash paint is perfect for exterior and interior
paint work.
The refractive nature of lime wash paint means it will reflect
heat away but not light. In fact it intensifies light which is why
it is often seen in Mediterranean countries. It's
suitable for unpainted wood, plaster, and masonry, not for drywall,
though, due to its non-porous qualities. It can be applied
to unpainted porous surfaces, such as the walls of your new mud
brick or adobe house. The best thing about lime wash is, when it
starts to look grubby, you can just apply another coat.
You don't need to measure your ratio of hydrated lime to water,
but you do need to watch the consistency. When it is the consistency
of thick cream, you have added enough water. You can make as much
or as little as you need, in a plastic bucket that has a lid, or
in an empty ice cream container for small jobs.
Make sure the mixture is lump free and don't use it right away.
Cover and leave for a few days and then add more water until it
has the consistency of milk. There still may be some lumps that
won't dissolve so it is wise to strain the paint through a fine
strainer or muslin. Discard the lumps. Your paint is ready to use.
As it is, this paint is perfect for outdoor use. Don't try to wash
it when it becomes grubby, just slap on another coat. You can use
lime wash paint on fences and other outdoor woodwork, sheds, exterior
house walls and stone.
If you want to use it indoors, or on surfaces you want to wash,
you will need to add a binding agent. You can buy a product called
Bondcreteu™, which is added to your lime wash to make it washable
and longer lasting. You won't need much of the binding agent to
turn your lime wash into a durable indoor paint.
You may want to color your paint, although the white dries to a
great finish that looks good anywhere. You can use natural earth
dyes, such as red and gray clay, or natural plant dyes, such as
the juice from mulberries and beets. If you don't want to go to
these lengths, the tubes of acrylic paints used by artists and crafters
will add color to your paint. Just squeeze in as much as you need
to tint the paint to the desired color.
You can also raid the spice cupboard for color & spices such as
tumeric and saffron give a lovely spicy fragrance as well as golden
hues.
As for those old lime wash blues & crafter's paint or food dye
is the way to go for cook sun washed colors that look wonderful
on house exteriors.
There are
We are building a new house on property where we deconstructed a 1850s house. The windows were salvaged and at one time, the entire exterior of the house had been washed in white. We plan to use three of the windows in interior walls of our new home. They are now dirty and gray with little paint/lime wash remaining. I would like to give them some color before permanently attaching them in the wall and would prefer to use an older method. How quickly does the color fade? It would be difficult to rewash them.
Thank you
Perhaps this is too late to be helpful but.......
Was a color enhancer used on your tile, to give it the deeper colors that appear when the stone is wet? If so, you could try to remove the enhancer from the two dark tiles by using a tile filing stone to polish it off. That will lighten it up quite a bit. Then you can use a clear impregnator to seal the tile. I am just finishing tiling my fireplace with limestone, and I love it. I used both an enhancer (optional, but typically used with less dense stones such as limestone and travertine to bring out the underlying highlights and contrasts) and impregating sealer after researching proper limestone care and maintenance.
I wouldn't think a lime wash would hurt limestone, !@#$$uming the mix was limited to lime, water, and perhaps a natural pigment. To lighten the stone, perhaps the pigment could even be skipped. I don't think a wax should be used however as it would affect the bonding of the sealer. I would call the toll-free number of the company that makes the sealer and ask them to be sure.
If you had a professional lay your tile, he/she might also be a good resource, or the place where you purchased your tile if it wasn't a big box store.
I'd appreciate any thoughts or suggestions you might have in this regard.
Thank you,
Yvonne