External wall paint

[planetjon]

Hi all,

We're likely to be buying a Victorian property that has the walls painted white on the outside. Paint is tatty and falling off, suspect not exactly an original feature but the cottage does look good with this on and its been this way for many years.

What products are best to use to replace it and is it a job that can be done by a reasonably competent amatuer or is it best left to the professionals ? Any idea of cost per m2 ?

All input happily recieved !

Thanks,
Jon

 

[worms]

Mainly bumping this back to the top for response!

Being a skinflint, I use home-made limewash. 25kg Bag of hydrated lime costs £10-£15, water is free, labour input is my own time and I can reach it all without scaffolding. 1 bag is more than enough for our 3 bedroom cottage. It needs doing more often than the higher tech versions and I tend to freshen up the exposed gables annually, but the less exposed bits can probably last 4 or 5 years. I feel it has a much softer, more pleasing look than any of the other exterior paints and if you add a splash of linseed oil to the mix, it even smells good!

Don't know the cost per m2 but it must be in the m2/£ range rather than £/m2!

 

[plasticpigeon]

How about taking the paint off with a steam cleaner or stripper and steam or similar. You will never have to paint it again if you do that.

 

[Nigel Watts]

The answer rather depends on what the current finish is. If it has been painted with a vinyl emulsion or a modern masonry paint putting a limewash on top won't work and steam may not be enough to remove it.

 

[plasticpigeon]

There is a company called stone health that makes stuff that turns paint to goo, that can then be washed off. It would have worked on my house if my builders had been even slightly competent.

 

[Keith Bowman]

Anglia Lime http://www.anglialime.com do an exterior product which will stick over modern finishes. Can't remember the name at the moment, but a phone call should do the trick: 01787 313 974

 

[Zebra]

Also, if you do get the stuff off and want a breathable exterior paint which lasts longer then limewash, not that I'm at all being negative about worms' solution, then Earthborn Claypaints do an exterior paint. I'm planning to use this on the old parts of my house which have a soft lime render externally.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Best removing it and checking the condition of the bricks and pointing underneath.

 

[planetjon]

Not sure what paint type it is, not been there for a few days... but there's a few layers and it's peeling off ! Suspect it will be best to remove the lot and check the brickwork - then re-paint. The main wall is south-facing and gets a lot of sun if that has any bearing on paint choice.

Thanks for the input so far