Cob: Re: Lime wash

[Mike Wye]

Dear Carl,
There's no problem with dark colours with limewash - see our limewash chart
at www.mikewye.co.uk/chart.htm for proof
You don't need to "stabilise" limewash with cement - it defeats the object
of a breathable paint.
If you make limewash from 50/50 lime putty/water and 0.5% raw linseed oil it
will paint to a suitable consistency - you need 3 -4 coats but each coat
will be mor opaque as you paint.
Limewash dusting occurs when
1. the backgorund isn't porous enough - ideally it should be lime plaster
2. you don't moisten the wall an hour before limewashing
3. you let the limewash dry too quickly
4. you use a low calcium lime hydrate powder rather than a high calcium lime
putty as your source
We have a detailed limewash guidesheet at
www.mikewye.co.uk/mikelimewashing.htm if you want more help
hope this helps,
Mike Wye & Associates,
Traditional & Ecological Building Products
www.mikewye.co.uk
01409-281644
sales at mikewye.co.uk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carl Bauer" <carl.bauer at info.bw>
To: <coblist at deatech.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 11:20 AM
Subject: Cob: Lime wash


> I have been experimenting with oxide pigmented lime washes and have read
> that dark colours with a lime wash don't work. I tried stabilising my lime
> wash with a bit of cement (about 4 lime to 1 cement) and then adding the
> oxide. It seems to work as the cement itself darkens the wash anyway. In
> fact it makes a much less see through mix so I guess it won't need as many
> coats either. I also mixed a little bit of linseed oil in for water
> resistance on the external walls. Has anyone tried anything along these
> lines and has anyone got any good advice?
>
> On the internal walls I want to use a plain or lightly pigmented lime
wash.
> I have done a sample and it is a bit dusty (like a poor quality
undercoat).
> Any way of improving this? I am using powdered lime as it is the only form
> of lime available to me here.
>
> Carl Bauer
>
>
>