Is this limewash or distemper?

[Rose_G]

Hi all! New to the forum just moved into a lovely 18th century limestone cottage - the previous owner told me the downstairs was all lime plaster with ‘period appropriate paint’ - should’ve drilled down at the time I know, but I’m now trying to figure out if this is limewash or distemper?? It’s a tiny bit chalky if I really rub it - but not much - and it’s cracking off in shards in this spot here. Can anyone help?? I also would love to know how to go about painting this another colour! Do I have to remove it first…? Thank you!

 

[Kearn]

You’re not going to get a definitive answer…

Wet your thumb and press it on both layers - does the surface darken and absorb the moisture?
That’s a good sign.

There’s no real reason that limewash or distemper would blow and peel off like that, which makes me think the top layer is plastic based. Limewash in its very nature just becomes an extension of the lime plaster, it bonds with it, rather than coats it like a paint.

My guess is what’s underneath may be more traditional if you’re lucky. In which case I’d be prying off the top layer which may be quite easy.

If you want colour and to be correct - Ingibly or Rose of Jericho both make distempers, and will colour match. RoJ is a better product, but more expensive, both are great and my go to is Ingilby (I’ve a lot of surfaces to cover!).

Give them a call to discuss the variances in distemper types, ideally you’ll be looking at oil or casein, pure soft distemper is less durable, more for decorative covings and out of reach ceilings…

Limewash can be pigmented, but not much as it changes the make up of the product, so colours are faint and pale. If that’s what you’re going for, then it’s easy to make from putty and saves a fortune as with pre made limewash, you’re paying to ship water. Then you can experiment with adding pigments.

Limewash can be very cost effective, but is a slower messier process, 3-4 coats required, one per day. And can fail if made to the wrong consistency.

Distemper is no different to painting, couple of coats and you’re good to go. I can do two in a day in the right drying conditions.

 

[Cubist]

There’s no real reason that limewash or distemper would blow and peel off like that, which makes me think the top layer is plastic based.

I'm not sure about this but could it not work the other way round too? Coats of limewash over an old plastic paint and then the limewash absorbs moisture which then causes it to pop/flake off?

 

[Rose_G]

Thank you both so much for your replies! This was *apparently* a new coat of lime plaster so should be the only paint layer - I’m wondering if he didn’t leave it long enough for carbonising, can’t that affect the adherence of the limewash or distemper? Either way I’m just going to take this layer off - again, no idea how - do I just sand it? Distemper sounds like the best plan going forwards so thanks so much for that advice! Is Little Greene distemper OK…? Or Edward Bulmer? I love the ones you mentioned above too!

 

[Rose_G]

I'm not sure about this but could it not work the other way round too? Coats of limewash over an old plastic paint and then the limewash absorbs moisture which then causes it to pop/flake off?

You know what, I’m thinking this might be it - it looks like he did a patch up paint job before he moved out, perhaps just using whatever white paint he had, so in those spots, it’s lifting…that would make sense, right? The rest of wall is totally fine

 

[Cubist]

Either way I’m just going to take this layer off - again, no idea how - do I just sand it?

A stiff brush will remove, or at least have some impact on, a limewash but do not use a wire brush as hard to cover colour transfer may result. A sander with a rough paper would probably be quicker but terribly massy/dusty - mask and eye protection vital,