Limewash questions

[Maris]

Hello,
I'm about to attempt to limewash some internal walls and was wondering if its feasible to make up large quantities but not necessarily use it all up at once. If I kept the limewash in bins with the lids on, and gave the stuff a quick whisk when I needed to use it next, would it still be OK? Or do I have to use it all up in one go?

Also, since I'm using putty, is a 2:1 (water:lime) ratio OK? Or maybe less water? And does it matter which way round I add them: putty into a bin of water, or water into a bin of putty??
And is 2 months to let the plaster go off enough before limewashing?

Sorry about all the questions- my husband and his mate did a superb job of plastering the house, and I don't want to let them down!

Any answers very, very much appreciated

thanks

Maris.

 

[ian]

Maris, the lime wash will keep fine. The lime does not cure/react same as the plaster. It will settle out and just become a tub of lime putty with much more water on the top. Unless you are mixing in a pigment and want to gauge it all at once there is no reason to mix lots at once. 2:1 is fine - don't think that less water will make it better - thin and lots of coats are best. I have limewashed onto days old plaster, maybe this helps the curing process of plaster. I find putty in first is easier to mix. Doe the first mix and transfer through a sieve to the storage bucket - my wife found it quite hard work trying to sieve the putty first before thining it. :lol:

 

[jason.p]

Making the assumption that it's lime plaster you're limewashing onto, applying while it's still "green" is a good thing. It helps the bonding and curing, and I suppose residual moisture in the wall can help in slowing down the drying process.

 

[Maris]

Hello,
thanks for the replies- very helpful.

mixing starts this afternoon!

 

[andrew gayton]

I made up a batch for external application using the following amounts: 50 kgs (2 bags) of non hydraulic hydrated lime - 100 litres of water - 750 cls of raw linseed oil.......... mixed up in a large plastic drum with a screw down lid. for internal use, omit the linseed oil. this mix has worked well on my own house.