The subtleties of applying a water-based emulsion to whitewash

Whitewashing ceilings and walls is the cheapest type of interior decoration. They resort to it when they want to save money on repairs. Whitewashing in modern apartments is rare, since such a finish has numerous disadvantages. The best alternative to lime or chalk solution is water-based paint. Having decided to update the design of the room, the question may arise as to whether it is allowed to apply a water-based emulsion to whitewash.

Whether old lime or chalk is removed prior to water-based paint application will depend on the original state of the finish.

Under no circumstances should the old layer be left behind if:

• The solution was applied in several layers. The application of a water-based emulsion will negatively affect thick coatings. No matter how well the layer holds, it will swell when exposed to moisture and begin to gradually flake off along with the new finish.
• Cracks, bulges or other defects are visible on the wall surface. If paint is applied to such a finish, the repair will not be durable. After 1-2 months, the new coating will "fall off" in pieces along with the old one.

So, upon visual inspection of the wall, you determined that the old coating needs to be removed.

To carry out preparatory work, proceed according to the following plan:

• Remove unreliable areas from the surface. It is convenient to carry out such work with a construction trowel or scraper. Shoot only those areas that easily "lag" from the wall. If the layer is thin, you can use a roller or brush to remove it.
• Soak unremoved limescale layers with hot soapy water. This is the most effective method for loosening the whitewash. To remove the coating, dampen the wall with a soft, damp cloth. Work the surface until the chalk or lime starts to "come off".
• Remove the rest of the layers with a spatula.
• After the wall is dry, seal the cracks with putty and level the base.
• Cover the surface with a primer.

However, all these works (except for the last stage) can be avoided if, upon visual inspection, the layer turned out to be thin, and no cracks and swollen areas are visible on its surface.

If you decide to keep the whitewash, don't neglect the primer. This is one of the most important stages of the technological process, which should be treated responsibly. Experts recommend purchasing deep penetration primers on an acrylic basis. Using a primer will strengthen the surface and reduce its absorbency. By using high-quality formulations from trusted manufacturers, it is possible to reduce paint consumption.

To paint walls or ceilings with water-based paint, you will need:

1. Water emulsion. Any type of composition is suitable: acrylic, silicate, mineral. The most important thing is to choose the composition in accordance with the type of room. For example, it is inappropriate to use paint with poor water resistance in bathrooms or toilets. Any options are suitable for decorating bedrooms or living rooms.
2. Color.It is recommended to mix immediately as much paint as is required for the surface finish, since it will be difficult to achieve the exact same shade with subsequent painting.
3. Roller and brush for applying paint to the surface.
4. Capacity (cuvette).

If you wish, you can use a spray gun (if you know how to use it).

Otherwise, there are great risks to produce uneven coloring of the walls or ceiling.

So, after preparing the wall for painting and drying it completely, you can start working. Open the jar with the composition and mix it thoroughly. To do this, you can use a stick or a construction mixer with a specialized attachment. If necessary, the paint can be tinted or diluted with water to the required consistency.

After preparing the paint, pour the solution into a cuvette and paint:

1. Dip a brush in a water-based emulsion and lightly squeeze out excess paint on the grooved part of the container.
2. Trim corners, niches, and other “hard to reach” areas.
3. Paint over the surface with a roller or spray gun. It is important to ensure that the paint is applied evenly. If you notice smudges, get rid of them immediately.
4. Wait 6-8 hours for the paint to dry and apply the next coat in the same way as the previous one.

Some types of paints require a special application scheme. As a rule, information about the method of using the composition is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging or on a separate leaflet of the instructions. To avoid mistakes, read this information before painting the walls.

Painting walls or ceilings with water-based emulsion is a job that requires a number of rules to be followed correctly. The result can be disappointing due to improperly selected tools or incorrectly applied layers. To make a good redecoration, you should learn about the common mistakes of "home craftsmen" and avoid them when painting.

Frequent "misses" include:

• Painting unprepared walls. An unwashed and unprotected lime base often contains dust, brush pile from previous whitewash, grease stains and other defects. Under a layer of paint, all the flaws "show themselves", which will not have the best effect on the aesthetics of the walls. You will either have to put up with poor-quality finish, or get rid of the paint and prepare the surface according to "all the rules".
• Errors in the selection of the tool. An incorrectly selected brush or roller can result in uneven staining of the surface. For a perfect result, builders recommend using a long pile roller (6-7 mm) when applying the base coat. When repainting, it is advisable to use a short-nap roller (1.5 mm). It "will help" to economically use the composition and will not leave smudges.
• Applying chaotic brush strokes. If you apply the composition in a vertical position, then horizontally, do not rely on an even coating of the surface. When dry, there are high risks of smears. To perform high-quality cosmetic repairs, choose one direction - so the paint will lay evenly over the entire base.

• Surface painting in 1 layer. Do not try to speed up the repair in this way and save on material consumption. Apply 2 or 3 coats for an even and intense shade. Due to the first, you will be able to distribute the composition, thanks to the second, you will blend it well. The third layer will make the color even.
• Staining wet layers. Each of us wants to quickly finish the walls, put aside the roller and brush and enjoy the result of the work done. To speed up the process, some craftsmen paint a wall that is not completely dry. The result is peeling of the wet layer, adhesion of pieces of paint to the tool.To ensure that the finish does not disappoint, you need to be patient. Wait until each of the layers is dry. Pay attention to the instructions. Manufacturers often indicate how long it takes for the layer to dry completely.

The last and most common mistake is the wrong timing of work. Do not apply paint in the summer at noon in bright sunlight. This will dry the layers before you apply the entire compound. The result is an uneven color. If you paint the walls in dim light, you may be missing out on inaccuracies.

When removing limescale and using water-based paint, basic safety rules must be followed.

Don't forget to prepare:

• a specialized suit that prevents the composition from getting on open skin areas;
• a respirator that protects the respiratory system from the ingress of lime or chalk dust and small particles of paint;
• glasses for eye protection.

Observing all the recommendations and safety rules, you can paint the walls in 2-3 days, taking into account the time required for each layer to completely dry.

If you want to make a quality cosmetic repair, get rid of the old layer of lime, no matter how well it adheres. When moisture enters, the whitewash is often deformed and leads to deterioration of the new material. Do not be lazy, and before painting, try to completely get rid of the old finish, and pay special attention to the preparation of the walls. So you can achieve 100% of the result, and you will not have to think about buying new materials and upcoming repairs in the near future.

See the next video for more on this.