Protective and natural paint, whitewash is appreciated for the decorative touch it provides as well as for its hygienic qualities. It is quite possible to make it yourself at home thanks to a simple recipe. On the other hand, to obtain the expected results, it will be necessary to respect the modes of application.
The specificities of whitewash paint
Whitewash paint is a lime-based coating generally used to cover interior walls, although in some traditional villages it is also used to protect facades. This paint is essentially made up of a mixture of lime, pigments, water and additives. Its main role is to protect the siding and provide an aesthetic touch to the house. This coating owes its success to the many advantages it provides.
First of all, you should know that whitewash paint is resistant and has the ability to neutralize odors. It can be applied in all rooms of the house, even those subject to humidity and temperature changes such as the kitchen, the laundry room or the bathroom. Ecological, healthy and economical, lime paint has a high PH which protects against bacteria. Insects don’t like it either. From a decorative point of view, it breathes a warm atmosphere into your interior and offers superb decorative styles.
An easy recipe to make yourself
Another advantage of lime paint is that it can be made at home. To make the recipe, you must first mix 250 g of pasty aerial lime with a liter of skimmed milk. Then add 120 g of linseed oil and 800 g of Blanc de Meudon. Shake the mixture vigorously. You can do this with a mechanical beater or by hand. Once done, add the natural pigment. In principle, 50 g will suffice. Before adding it to the mixture, be sure to dilute it with a little water. This preparation will allow you to paint 30 m2 of interior walls in one coat. However, as it takes at least two coats of paint to obtain a quality result, it will therefore be necessary to double the doses.
Note that it is possible to change the aerial lime with lime associated with 20% silica if you wish to repaint your exterior walls. This mixture is much more tenacious in the face of bad weather.
Apply the paint
Before applying the paint, it is first necessary to clean the support. Then proceed to sanding. In case of cracks, it is better to fill them with filler. Now that the support is ready, you can move on to the application itself.
The ideal is to use a large rectangular brush with natural bristles. Apply at least two coats of paint. A six hour break time between coats is required. This lime paint will hold on a coating made of chips, linen, earth or aerial lime. It can also be applied to cellular concrete.