Cheap and cheerful limewash

[Sue Wilkinson]

Has anyone made simple white limewash with hydrated lime? If so, how did you find it to use? Did you putty it first, or go straight from the sack?

I know I should use quality putty, but I have a quantity of hydrate to hand and its only for the inside of my barn to lighten up the space before winter for a better, brighter working area in the dark months so doesn't qualify for quality work.

Sue

 

[biffvernon]

Go for it.

 

[Sue Wilkinson]

I thought I had read that limewash from hydrate didn't cure to the wall properly and just flaked off. That's the reason for the question. Anyone tried it and found differently?

Sue

 

[Dave Alder]

Sue we commercially manufactured limewash from bagged hydrated lime for about 5 years before switching to lime putty. we never had any problems. The problem that can occur is if the hydrated lime is exposed to air for to long before having water added. We had 1 batch go wrong and put it down to air expsure from holes in the bags that we failed to spot. Since your using it to make putty for your wall why not turn all the lime into putty and just thin down some as and when you need some. Go on nothing to lose
Dave

 

[NT]

I've done this, just diluted some putty I'd made from bagged lime. If it flakes, its going on too thick. If it gives lousy opacity its on too thin... theres a very narrow range between the 2 thats just right. The good news if that if one lot went on too thick and it cracks up, one can then give it a thinner coat and the new stuff gets behind the old and helps to stick it in place and fill the cracks.

It seems to have done pretty well so far, so go for it. The only gotcha is splashes can cause eye injury, so goggles wouldnt go amiss.

I'd let the mix age at least overnight. I've not used it direct from the bag, but better be on the safe side than waste al that time.


NT