Is this limewash or distemper or...?

[johnandrew]

Hi All

What is on our ceiling?

We are having our ceiling decorated and after stripping paper from the ceiling have come across a coating of some sort. I have tried to wash it off with warm soapy water with no joy (not soft distemper me thinks). It seems to have some level of sheen and is quite thick. In places where it flakes off it is quite brittle so I am wondering is it likely to be a limewash that has oil added to or or an oil bound distemper or something else?

Regards

John

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[Moo]

Could it possibly be a skim of gypsum plaster?

 

[johnandrew]

Ah...hadn't thought of that.

I don't think it is. The 'paint' seems pretty old but I will get up the step ladders today and have a look with that possibility in mind.

Thanks

 

[JoceAndChris]

I think it's old paint, 50s or 60s. I find loads of it here too.

Limewash is very crumbly, it doesn't look like that to me. I'm not sure what ingredients went into household paint in the 30s/40s/50s/60s.

My father remembers mixing linseed oil with pigment for woodwork in the 40s.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

The look of, and description of the your ceiling patch area matches the patch on part of our bathroom wall , where at present the condensation does not seem to escape.
I had sort of concluded that it is covering some previous damage to the wall, possibly when a window was removed during the '50's.

 

[johnandrew]

Thanks for your suggestions.

I tried a very small amount of nitromors left on for a very short time and it started to bubble the suface of the paint.

I need to strip to gloss paint from the cornice and have ordered a sample pot of Klingstrip so will try it on the ceiling too.
I tried Nigel's recommendation of the scalpel and hot water on the cornice but didn't have any joy. Might try the steamer.

The ceiling of our daughter's room have been stripped today to reveal a blue 'paint' as has been mentioned in previous posts.

John