Whitewashing walls is a tried-and-true technique that gives any space a modern, tidy appearance. It is a simple, low-cost method that has been employed for many years. Whitewashing is a flexible DIY project that works well if you want to add some brightness to a room or a rustic charm to your walls.
Slaked lime is one of the main ingredients in whitewashing; it is combined with water to make a smooth, paint-like material. Achieving the desired finish requires knowing how to mix the lime properly and selecting the appropriate consistency. We’ll lead you through the steps of properly mixing and applying the mixture in this tutorial.
You can use a variety of colors other than the standard white to give your walls a distinct personality. We’ll assist you in choosing the ideal shade for your project, whether you’re more interested in a more pronounced tint or a soft off-white. With the correct method and a little perseverance, you can give your walls a stunning, long-lasting finish.
Step | Description |
1. Prepare the Lime | Mix slaked lime with water until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. |
2. Add Color (Optional) | If you want a tint, add natural pigments to the lime mixture. Stir well to ensure even color. |
3. Clean the Walls | Before whitewashing, clean the walls to remove dust, dirt, and grease for better adhesion. |
4. Apply the First Coat | Using a brush or roller, apply a thin, even coat of the lime mixture to the walls. |
5. Let It Dry | Allow the first coat to dry completely, which usually takes a few hours. |
6. Apply Additional Coats | Apply a second coat if needed for more coverage or a richer color, letting it dry in between. |
7. Finishing Touches | Check for any missed spots and touch up as necessary. Let the walls fully dry before moving furniture back. |
- Where whitewashing is used
- How to whitewash beautifully with your own hands: step-by-step guide
- Surface preparation
- How to dilute slaked lime correctly
- Process of work
- What color to choose for whitewashed walls
- Surface care
- Video on the topic
- How to properly dilute SLAKED LIME for disinfecting a chicken coop, cowshed, pigsty
- How to slake lime. Quicklime. Slaked lime
- Lime colored whitewashing of walls so that it does not get dirty part 1
- What you need to know before whitewashing the walls of a house with lime
- How to #whitewash with lime correctly
- Recipe for making lime whitewash
- Whitewashing with lime – which tool to choose?
Where whitewashing is used
Navigating pages
Ideal for exterior and interior cosmetic repairs of any building:
- antiseptic and disinfectant properties allow you to avoid the appearance of all kinds of harmful microorganisms, mold and rot, so lime is used for painting children"s and medical institutions, farms, basements, industrial premises;
- resistance to temperature changes and moisture resistance are important when renovating rooms with high humidity – baths and bathrooms.
Whitewashing your own walls is an easy and affordable way to give any space a new look. Slaked lime must be diluted to the proper consistency, a color that complements your decor must be chosen, and the whitewash must be applied evenly for a smooth finish. You can give your house a bright, classic look without going over budget by following a few easy steps.
How to whitewash beautifully with your own hands: step-by-step guide
If you want a long-lasting and superior coating, make sure you correctly execute these steps:
Surface preparation
The base for the coating needs to be completely cleared of any remnants of earlier materials in order for the whitewash to lay uniformly and not crumble too soon. Clean up or medicate especially soiled areas:
- treat greasy stains with a soda solution;
- wash rust with copper sulfate;
- wash mold with bleach.
Putty any existing cracks and uneven areas, and then lightly sand the area.
Setting up the instrument
One of the following tools can be used for painting:
- brush;
- spray gun;
- vacuum cleaner;
- sprayer.
How to slake lime at home by yourself
For whitewashing, only slaked lime is needed, which can be made at home or bought ready-made.
To accomplish this, take the material in lump or granule form, put it in a clean metal container, and then pour cold water into it 1:1. Because of the intense reaction this produces, you must place a lid on the container.
Once the mixture has settled, thoroughly mix it and dilute it with cold water at a ratio of one kilogram of lime for every ten liters of water. To remove inclusions and lumps, strain through a mesh. The final product ought to have a dense, homogeneous consistency.
It is advised to add five drops of drying oil and a pinch of salt to create a composition that is especially durable.
Lime dough is made similarly; the only difference is that less water is needed. You only need to pour 50% of the water needed for one portion of dry lime. And add it little by little while stirring continuously and making sure the reaction doesn’t halt.
How to dilute slaked lime correctly
Slaked lime is safer, easier to use, and more convenient. It is offered for sale as lime dough or powder.
In order to prepare lime for use, first fill a large, clean container with lime powder or dough. Then, slowly add cold water to the container in small amounts until the mixture has the consistency and density of milk. Three liters of water are required for every kilogram of lime.
Process of work
To prevent stains during work, cover all of the room’s objects—including the floors, windows, and furniture—with paper or film before you begin.
Use a sieve or piece of gauze to strain the mixture before using a spray gun to apply whitewash. Pour into a container, inflate with a pump, and fine-tune the nozzle to ensure even spraying. The solution needs to be diluted with water and mixed if the paint doesn’t spray. Hold the spraying device 20 to 25 cm away from the target. It takes 1.5 to 2 hours to apply the second layer.
After using a brush to paint the walls. Dip the brush and evenly coat the surface with whitewash. Once the coating has dried, start over by moving the brush perpendicular to the first layer to prevent stripes and unpainted tails from showing.
By adding particular materials, whitewash can be made more durable:
- soap and wallpaper glue will make the paint durable;
- drying oil will protect against washing off when processing the facade walls;
- table salt will give a special whiteness and will not allow you to get dirty when touching.
What color to choose for whitewashed walls
Because lime is an alkali, it is important to remember that only colors that are resistant to alkali can be used. The composition that has already been prepared is mixed with the coloring pigment. It is important to keep in mind that adding a lot of paint will lower the coating’s quality and shorten its service life, making it harder to achieve vibrant, saturated colors.
Since lime whitewash is initially white, pastel shades are produced when it is mixed with the color. You can use multiple colors to achieve the desired shade.
Apartment layout featuring walls painted white
Lime can be successfully used to process household and utility spaces as well as to create unique decorative solutions for modern architecture.
White wall paint makes the room feel airy and spacious. The use of pastel colors will add harmony and refinement.
Surface care
Lime-treated walls can be cleaned dry; it is not recommended to wash them when they are dirty. Use fresh bread crumb for small areas that need cleaning. Re-whitewashing heavily soiled walls is preferable.
Whitewashing walls is an ageless method that gives any space a modern, tidy appearance. Slaked lime and water are two simple materials that you can use to create an elegant and long-lasting classic finish. A smooth application and a pleasing outcome can be achieved by taking the time to properly mix your lime and select the appropriate colors.
You can easily and affordably makeover your space by doing the right things, like priming your walls and evenly applying whitewash. Whitewashing is an easy way to give your walls a new look, whether you want a subtle tint or a traditional white.
Never forget that patience and attention to detail are essential for a successful whitewash. You can have results that look professional and will brighten your home for years to come with a little attention to detail.