Paint finishes

[vicky whitworth]

Hello, could anyone help me with some advice about paint finishes? I was all set to lime wash our internal walls which are plastered in lime straight onto the rubble stone when I was told the lime wash would come off when we rubbed against it. Distemper was suggested as an alternative but from the little I've now read about it won't distemper also come off when rubbed? And is it true that lime wash will come off? I'm after something with good breathability and I also like that patchy finish you get with lime wash. I have used Earthborn clay paints on a non-breathable plaster finish elsewhere in the cottage, and while I really liked the paint it doesn't have the patchy finish.
Any thoughts gratefully received?

On a different subject you might recall I was determined not to have an extractor fan in the new bathroom (having got building control to agree that I didn't have to have trickle vents). Well I lost the extractor fan argument so now the electrician is having to put it in, get building control to pass it and then take it out and replace it with an air brick (with a slider). He thinks I'm mad. Thanks, Vicky

 

[Moo]

I'm anticipating having the same problem (re paint) in the not too distant future, so hope that bumping the question back to the top will prompt a few useful answers

 

[biffvernon]

It takes a special sort of skill to achieve a patchy finish

 

[Jon Maine]

You can get 3 grades of distemper, soft, super and oil bound.

We have used the last 2 and had good results. The oil bound is a bit more durable and wipe-able used in kitchen and bathrooms. Everywhere else we have used the super.

I did use natural emulsion for the black skirting though as it is far more stable than the lamp black added to distemper or limewash.

Also distemper will go on both gypsum and lime too. We decided it was a bit more durable than limewash whilst retaining the correct soft finish. Potmolens at Warminster are very helpful.

 

[sewin]

Hello, could anyone help me with some advice about paint finishes? I was all set to lime wash our internal walls which are plastered in lime straight onto the rubble stone when I was told the lime wash would come off when we rubbed against it. Distemper was suggested as an alternative but from the little I've now read about it won't distemper also come off when rubbed? And is it true that lime wash will come off? I'm after something with good breathability and I also like that patchy finish you get with lime wash. I have used Earthborn clay paints on a non-breathable plaster finish elsewhere in the cottage, and while I really liked the paint it doesn't have the patchy finish.
Any thoughts gratefully received?

On a different subject you might recall I was determined not to have an extractor fan in the new bathroom (having got building control to agree that I didn't have to have trickle vents). Well I lost the extractor fan argument so now the electrician is having to put it in, get building control to pass it and then take it out and replace it with an air brick (with a slider). He thinks I'm mad. Thanks, Vicky

Your best bet is the earthborn clay paint for both durability and breathability. If you want that patchy look that lime wash gives, you can create it using the eartborn glaze and a colour pigment on the top of the clay paint.

Obviously you will have to choose an appropriate pigment to slightly shade the finish in places.

Method: mix up two glazes one clear (no added pigment) and one with enough pigment to just tint the glaze. first cover the area you are working on fully with the clear glaze then when that just starts to become tacky brush on in the random pattern of choice the tinted glaze. leave that for twenty minutes or so and then using a dry soft 4" brush blend and soften the edges. Keep drying the brush on a clean dry cloth. I found a good brush for blending is a painter and decorators dusting brush.

You will not loose too much breathability, probably about 20% but the wall will be bomb proof and fully washable.

Incidently the earthborn glaze is also an excellent stablising product for use prior to painting when the surface is friable or dusty and still preserves the breathability ......... no more paint falling of the wall!

 

[vicky whitworth]

Thank you for that reply Sewin. I'm a fan of earthborn paints so your suggestion is much appreciated. I think I'll go with that. Vicky

 

[Carol]

Do consider distemper, Vicky! We were advised to use it on our mixed surfaces as it adheres nicely to lime and gypsum and have been so pleased with the finish we have continued it around the house in various guises. If you can make a trip to Warminster the lovely staff at Potmolen know a great deal about paint and can advise on the best finish to go on your wall. I had a fancy for the clay paint but was told it would probably not be suitable and tends to flake. Our best find has been Amstel oil distemper either plain or tinted with oil paints, which looks lovely and is easy for amateurs to apply, especially for ceilings.

PS Potmolen are not open on Saturdays.

 

[Jon Maine]

I know clay paints are labeled as breathable, I do believe however that they are far less breathable than distemper or limewash.

This is why we went for distemper.

 

[biffvernon]

That's interesting Jon. Do you have any data or sources of information on that?

 

[Jon Maine]

I heard it from Julie Haddow who helped with out lime plastering here, Julie has strong links with Ty Mawr Lime and expressed that this was the consensus there. I have not talked to them directly about it.

 

[jonesc09]

The breathability of Earthborn Claypaint is Sd 0.02m - which is exactly the same as limewash.

 

[Jon Maine]

I think what I should have said is that those figures given were brought into doubt, however I must stress it is a hearsay conversation and I have no way of substantiating it myself.

I have checked Ty Mawr's website. Whilst they sell Earthborn they dont seem to mention its breathability. Although as you state Earthborn claim sd0.02m in their factsheets.

http://www.lime.org.uk/paints_finishing/ but no mention of Earthborn although they sell it?

They do state lime wash as smaller than sd0.02m so maybe this is what was said that limewash has better breathability sadly I cant remember the whole conversation.

Any how I suppose the point is that it is breathable, it gives a stronger colour palate than limewash and distemper.