Lime-wash and Bathrooms.

[Johnboy]

Simple question, can lime-wash be used successfully in a bathroom? As a complete house renovation 'novice' I am concerned that this type of finish might not be durable enough?

What do the experts think?

 

[JoceAndChris]

I don't think it would be durable enough. In my scullery, which is sunken below ground and has water running in rivulets down the stone walls, and puddling on the floor, to the extent that newts live there, you can see layer upon layer of limewash have been applied, and have disintegrated. Admittedly it looks like it was last done at the turn of the last century.

I'd be inclined to use casein distemper:

http://www.rose-of-jericho.demon.co.uk/products/rj4_02.htm

 

[skier-hughes]

I've used casein distemper in my ensuite and it is fine.
I've used it in the kitchen and it is fine.
I'm going to use it in my bathroom when I get that far, currently we are still bathroomless, as the weather is far too nice to work inside........

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol:

I've just had a long chat about casein distemper with the people in my link above. (and just ordered some soft distemper for the dining room ceiling and cornice)

He said it's fine to use it over modern emulsion, it's more wipeable than limewash and it 's breathable. His view on stripping back plastic paint is to not bother if no problems are visible, just paint over the top.

I asked if casein distemper would provide the blotchy, mottled uneven finish, that moody shifting colour, that help create the crumbling villa look, and make your property look old, and he said that was dependent on how badly you did it - if you're patchy and uneven in your painting technique that's what happens. 8)

 

[Lime]

you can see layer upon layer of limewash have been applied, and have disintegrated. Admittedly it looks like it was last done at the turn of the last century.

Indeed it would have been applied regularly.
It wasn't just a paint it was used to deter insects and the like.

 

[Johnboy]

Indeed it would have been applied regularly.
It wasn't just a paint it was used to deter insects and the like.

Funny you should say that, we do have a mighty midge problem . I wonder......?

 

[robgil]

The blue stuff they put in it deterred flies apparently.
Wouldnt limewash in a bathroom environment just get harder and harder every time moisture got to it?

 

[jocelyn plummer]

So glad you've joined the ROJ fan club Joce, I think that you will be [pleased with the results. I've not had a problem with any of their products. Just filling the piggy bank for the next pot-- .

 

[Me!]

I used limewash on my old lime plaster bathroom ceiling after scraping off all the layers of vinyl silk. I did it a couple of years ago, and it is still fine. It is actually looking much better than the matt emulsion I put on the gypsum plaster bathroom walls at the same time.

 

[JoceAndChris]

So glad you've joined the ROJ fan club Joce, I think that you will be [pleased with the results. I've not had a problem with any of their products. Just filling the piggy bank for the next pot-- .

You said they'd be nice on the phone and they certainly were! Satisfyingly, they also supply Skillingtons, who did the ceiling. I really felt like I was talking to someone who'd seen it all as far as paint and old houses go. Awaiting the £90 paint tin with great excitement. ( £39.50 distemper, 5l, £20.85 for their primer for new lime plaster, £14.60 delivery, then VAT!!!) Makes FnB look cheap as chips. I really hope it isn't going to be so pretty it makes me want to peel off all the FnB I've used so far, as I think we'd need a second mortgage!

 

[jocelyn plummer]

They even planned a colour scheme for me over the phone... it worked a treat in our drawing room in Burnham Market. The thing about distemper is that it plays tricks with density of colour as the light falls on it, so it's constantly changing! You will probably get away with just washing off the F&B if you decide to change everything, but I'd bear with it until the next time you want to decorate. In this funny little house we have here I am going to give the Earthborn Clay paints a trial in one of my rooms. As we have said before, you get what you pay for!

 

[skier-hughes]

Also extremely helpful to me over the phone, several times as I calle and called to make sure I'd got it right. I wouldn't use anyone else now.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Lovely to read those posts - it's so nice when you find products you love and great people to give their expertise over the phone.
I just can't wait for the distemper to arrive! I bought a good new brush, 4 inches - I hope it will be OK. I've never had much luck painting with a brush on walls and ceilings but the man said distemper ought not to be applied by roller.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

You need a nice floppy bristle brush---flip flap it on!! Actually there is such a thing as a Distemper Brush but i cannot remember how I located it . Jewsons (last year) knew what I was talking about and said they are seldom used, but it is possible to get one. oooh, and by the way, don't panic when you put on the first coat, it disappears, only later will you see the colour as it drys out.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thanks Joss - very timely, it arrived today and is like milk, ( though the colour's great!) I'm used to painting with very thick gloopy paint so I'm nervous - it'll go on on Wednesday so I'll take a pic.

 

[Keithj]

The limewash we got was pretty thick - blancmange describes it quite well. I used a conventional 3 inch long-bristled paintbrush (B&Q, not-a-lot).

The instructions were to dilute the lime distemper 50/50 with water for the first coat, and 80 lime/20 water for the rest. We were also told to make sure the surface to be painted was wet before we applied it.

Trying to paint with something the consistency of milk proved a challenge, but the knack was gradually acquired. Top tip: it's worth having a large bowl of water and some cloths to hand, to mop up spills. Lime spilled on wooden floors (which we have) is a devil to clear up if you leave it to soak in first.

We found that the first coat did an good job of colouring the walls despite the apparent thinness of the mix. After three coats, the initial rough surface became quite smooth - almost eggshell-like.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Keith - that's really useful, though I'm expecting the Soft Distemper to behave a little differently is as much as it surely isn't to be watered down.

Did it burn your arm? Or is this paint OK on the skin? I hate wearing gloves.

 

[Keithj]

I can't comment on the stuff you have - we certainly had to use more water in the first coat. There weren't any instructions (or much else) on the tub, but the supplier told us how to do it.

I have very dry skin, and didn't notice any ill effects at all from the lime. I tried not to get the stuff on me, and washed it off pretty soon if I did. I tried briefly with rubber gloves, and found they caused some discomfort; the lime didn't. I don't know if that's good advice, but it worked for me.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

EEEEEkkkk definitely DO NOT water down soft distemper----- a jolly good stir, carefully primed brush and away you you go. No it does not burn your hands and arms, it will be relatively easy to remove from your hands , one coat at a time and a full 24 hours to dry back before applying the second coat, keep the brush moving.

 

[Schoolmarm]

I thought lime and distemper were two entirely different things? What is lime distemper? :?