Lime plaster decoration

[Jamieharnett]

Hi all,

Been reading a lot of previous posts and found huge amounts of useful and insightful information.

I have recently purchased a G2 listed property which thankfully hasn’t been altered too much minus the cement pointing and cement screed on top of quarry tiles.

I have successfully removed wallpaper and to my great delight most of the original plaster has stayed in tact.

Hands up lime plaster I have no previous experience with. The plaster finish is corse not flat if this normal? What I would like to know is what filler should I be using is easy-fill ok? Upstairs can I use water based paints as no evidence of damp or should I be using clay paints or lime wash?

Thanks in advance

 

[paulc]

The plaster finish is corse not flat if this normal? What I would like to know is what filler should I be using is easy-fill ok?

Mike Wye, Ty-Mawr, and others sell a sandable lime putty based filler. Or if you have a tub of lime putty kicking around along with some ground chalk, mix your own. You will of course need some tools - I'd recommend a small plastering trowel (240mm x 100mm is a nice size), a fine sponge float, and a 5" or 6" spatula. Oh, and a spray bottle.

Over a period of a couple of hours, liberally spray the area with water and brush out any loose stuff. Press a good dollop of filler in to the crack - If it is deep and wide, do it in layers, leaving the first application to dry out a bit. As the filler dries out, lightly rub over the area with a moistened sponge float, and then use the finishing trowel to get a nice smooth surface. You may find the sponge float leaves a good enough finish, so the final troweling may not be needed.

 

[Jamieharnett]

Many thanks for you’d reply, would you recommend using decorators caulk where ceiling meets walls?

 

[Me!]

A note of caution, if there is any chance at all that the green paint shown in your second photo is from pre-1900ish, then please be aware of the possibility that it could be the old and poisonous arsenic green paint.
Although I've now just found this article which claims the manufacture of arsenic green paint continued until the 1960's!

 

[Jamieharnett]

Wow just looked this up and your certainly right to be cautious!

Another reason why this forum is priceless!

Many thanks

 

[Flyfisher]

While on the subject of poisonous paints, don't forget about the prevalence of lead in old paint. This is probably less of a health hazard than arsenic compounds but still worthy of care being taken, especially if young children are in the house. Lead detection 'pens' are widely available so this is very easy to test for before firing up the power sander and filling a room with fine particles of lead paint to breath in! :shock: I don't know about similar arsenic testers.