Distemper disaster.....

[SW]

Hi All,

I've long been a (lurking) fan of your forum and thanks to all the advice I've picked up, have recently stripped the years of gloss paint off the decorative arch/brackets in my Victorian hall.

The problems have started now that I'm trying to re-paint them. Following the advice of many posters, I've started with distemper and diluted it according to instructions for the bare plaster. Unfortunately while this is giving a lovely finish, as soon as its dry, the finish begins to blister and flake.

Do I need to dilute the distemper even more? (currently adding 20%ish water) or am I missing a vital step?!

All advice gratefully recieved!

 

[Gervase]

Did you make it yourself and,if so, how much size is in it?
You can test distemper for the right amount of size by painting some on a piece of card. Bend it round a bottle, and if the distemper cracks off, there's too much size; rub it with you finger and if the distemper rubs off down the the surface of the card, there's too little.

You may also want to try a very small amount of a wetting agent. You could cheat on that and use a couple of drops of washing-up liquid in each jam-jar full of distemper.

 

[Nigel Watts]

I have not heard of this test before - sounds like a good one. I have often wondered how to judge objectively if my distemper is of the right consistency.

When applying distemper to my cleaned cornices and ceiling I did not dilute the first coat. It did not not peel. I don't see why one would need to reprime plaster that had previously been distempered.

How did you remove the paint layers? If you used a strong alkalai (as contained in some poultice-based products) did you neutralise the surface before applying the distemper?

 

[SW]

Hi Both,

I'd love to say I did make the distemper but I've cheated and bought the F&B variety....

Nigel - I did use a poultice based stripper but wasn't given any indication about neutralising. I have washed with lots and lots of water since removing the stripper - do I need to do something else do you think?

Thanks again
SW

 

[Mark]

My recent experience with F&B limewash was pretty poor - so I would be careful about the distemper as well.

Someone kindly pointed me to a document on the f&b websirte that told me I needed to dilute the limewash (no mention on the tin).

In the end I found that diluting the coloured limewash 50:50 with home made white limewash gave the colour (ie it matched the same f&b emulsion) and consistency that I wanted.

 

[Nigel Watts]

I didnt use chemical strippers on my cornice so dont have much experience of them, but if you have washed down thoroughly I would have thought you would be OK

The idea of making paints oneself can seem daunting at first but it is much easier than you would imagine. Making distemper simply involves mixing whiting with a size. Add some water to the whiting until you have a thick creamy consistency. Leave to soak, preferably overnight. Meanwhile dissolve some flakes of rabbit skin glue in some warm water. Mix the two together and keep it warm eg by standing the paint kettle in a bucket of hot water. I dont have a formula for how much of each you need - I just use trial and error. In spite of this lack of precision I have never had a batch fail. Whiting and rabbit skin glue are usually obtainable from artists suppliers or can often be found (or ordered from) a good trade decorators' supplier.

 

[Sue Wilkinson]

Hi SW, you need to find the tin of stripper and read it very carefully. Some stripper needs to be neutralised with white spirit, not water. It depends. It should say something somewhere.

I've just talked someone out of F&B distemper in favour of Rose of Jericho. I've used theirs and it's lovely. I've not heard good things about F&B lime wash or distemper, and they are a bit cagy about what's in it. For a start it doesn't have the short shelf life of the real stuff.

But you have it now, so try to find out about the stripper first, then try Gervase's test. After that, ring the F&B helpline, available from their web site.

Sue

 

[Gervase]

If your stripper is the caustic poultice type, then a desert spoonful of vinegar in a glass of water should be all that's needed to neutralise the stuff. You don't want a strong acid/alkali reaction on your newly-stripped plaster!

 

[CHRIS]

I would second that the F B limewash is no good, just looked bland (only ever used 1 tin) - just used Interlime from Inglebys in Glemsford Suffolk and it is great with a very deep rich texture.

 

[Jocelyn]

I too have had poor results from F & B in recent years and switched to Rose of Jericho. Not only have their products proved successful, their technical support and information is excellent.

Try: http://www.rose-of-jericho.demon.co.uk
tel 01935 83676

Jocelyn

 

[SW]

Hi All,

Many thanks for the tips. I have scoured the stripper website and it does need to be neutralised so I'll try the vinegar trick tonight.

Then I'll try Gervase's trick to test the distemper before trying attempt 3!

Fingers crossed.....

Thanks again
SW

 

[NT]

Hopefully dis time you wont lose your temper.

NT

 

[SW]

Hi All,

Just a quick update to thank you all for the suggestions - vinegar really worked on one bracket - less so on the other, but a few cycles of distemper, brush off flakes, touch up again etc seem to have done the trick.

No temper lost thanks NT although I can see why previous owners gave into gloss! :wink:

SW

 

[NT]

thats good