How and what is the easiest way to whitewash the ceiling
In any apartment, the ceiling is an important part of the interior. Today, for the repair of the ceiling, there are many different materials. But, despite the abundance of modern finishes – stretch, suspended ceilings, such a simple and quick way to finish as whitewashing is still in demand. This is the most inexpensive option for updating and decorating the room. It’s no secret that the whitewashed ceiling refreshes the room, adding coziness and lighting. We offer some tips and tricks on how to whitewash the ceiling with your own hands. Guided by them, even a novice will be able to cope with this task on their own.
Content
- Preparing the ceiling for whitewashing
- Secrets of removing old whitewash
- Removing traces of dirt from the ceiling
- Ceiling alignment process
Preparing the ceiling for whitewashing
The most responsible and time-consuming stage of work is surface preparation for whitewashing. This is done so that later, through the white color, spots of grease, rust, etc. do not appear, and whitewashing is uniform.
Preparation of the ceiling surface for whitewashing consists of three stages:
- removal of old whitewash;
- removal of traces of dirt from the ceiling;
- ceiling alignment.
Secrets of removing old whitewash
At this stage of the repair, the old coating is removed using a sponge and soapy water, a paste or a wide spatula..
It should be noted that the complexity or simplicity of this work depends on how the ceiling was painted before..
Removing old whitewash with a spatula and a small pallet will significantly reduce the spread of dust and debris
The lime solution is difficult to remove, and the chalky – easy.
The lime layer is removed quite difficult
And to determine what the ceiling was painted with, just swipe it with your finger – the chalk will leave a white mark. The more thoroughly the whitewash is washed off the ceiling, the more adhesion (adhesion) of the new whitewash will be to the base, bubbles will not form.
Removing traces of dirt from the ceiling
After cleaning the old paint, you should carefully examine the surface of the ceiling, whether there are any such contaminants as mold, greasy stains, rust. All kinds of drips and rust are washed off with warm water, then a 10% solution of copper sulfate is applied to the cleaning site.
Old drips and stains are washed off with warm water
Smoked ceilings should be wiped with a 3% hydrochloric acid solution. You must not forget to protect yourself, as well as furniture and other objects from these solutions. Stubbornly streaking drips on the ceiling are painted over with gruel from lime and synthetic drying oil (20: 1). Leaks need to be processed three times – until they disappear completely. To neutralize stains, you can also use a solution of liquid glass (1 part glass, 2 parts water).
Grease stains are removed with a clean cloth moistened with a solution of soda ash. Then the place from which the stain was removed is washed well with water.
Ceiling alignment process
To properly whiten the ceiling, it must be carefully leveled. Irregularities, cracks and cracks moisturize and fill with the same solution as the plaster was made. So, damage to the lime plaster is rubbed with lime mortar. It consists of two parts of fine pure sand, one part of lime slurry and water. First, lime is diluted with water, then sand and so much more water are added to make a thick mass. If slaked lime is used, then first mix it with sand, and then add water.
Alignment is an important step in preparing the ceiling surface for whitewashing
To level the ceiling, you can use adhesive putty – it is easy to manufacture, easy to apply and holds well. It consists of 1 part chalk, 2 parts gypsum, 2 parts wood glue. To obtain a liquid solution, the glue must be mixed previously with water: 50 g of glue per 1 liter of water. Put the putty manually, using a spatula, conducting it first across the cracks and crevices, and then along. Putty is completed by grouting the treated surface with pumice or fine sandpaper..
Grouting the surface with sandpaper after puttying
Note! Given that the process of preparing for whitewashing is quite dirty, it is necessary to take out all the excess from the room, and cover the furniture and floor with plastic wrap.
After filling, the ceiling must be primed..
Priming the ceiling before whitewashing is a process that ensures optimum adhesion of the finishing material to the surface
This is done in order to make the surface smooth and a thin film forms on it, into which the paint will not be absorbed..
Important! Before whitening the ceiling, the primer should dry well..
The better to whitewash the ceiling?
Consider the 2 most common options for whitewashing ceilings. One of them is whitewashing the ceiling with chalk, the second is whitewashing the ceiling with lime. Both of these options are environmentally friendly and hygienic. Lime also has bactericidal properties. In addition, it tightens and secures the cracks. But some people are allergic to lime. In this case, the ceiling is better to whitewash with chalk. A distinctive feature of chalk compared to other materials used to cover ceilings is its deep whiteness. Chalk is also very hygienic and provides good sanitary conditions. Another concept is widespread among the people – whitewashing with water-based paint, but this process still does not apply to whitewashing the ceiling, but to painting.
Important to remember! If previously the ceiling was whitewashed with lime mortar, then the chalky whitewash will no longer be suitable (blurry spots form on the ceiling).
How to chalk the ceiling
Preparation of chalk solution for whitewashing the ceiling
In 5 liters of warm water, dissolve 30 g of wood glue, 3 kg of chalk and 15-20 g of blue. Blue is added to the solution to enhance the whiteness of the coating. This portion of the solution will be sufficient for 10-12 square meters. the ceiling. The density of the solution is checked by lowering the knife into it. If whitewash drains from the blade, the solution is too liquid, you must add chalk to bring to the desired viscosity.
The whitewashing of the ceiling with chalk solution is performed in two / three layers, each of which is applied “to the cross” to the previous
How to chalk the ceiling? Whitewashing is usually done in two to three layers. Each subsequent layer of whitewash is applied only after drying the previous one. If there is no spray gun, you can use the roller. The last layer is applied towards the window, and the previous one along the wall where the window is located..
Before starting the whitewashing of the main surface, the ceiling is smeared with a brush around the perimeter, so that later the walls that are already finished.
Lime whitewash technology
Lime solution preparation. In one liter of water, 2-3 kg of slaked lime is stirred, 100 g of pre-soaked salt or 200 g of aluminum alum, a little diluted blue or 400-500 g of dyes are added. Everything is thoroughly mixed and warm water is added, the volume of the solution is brought to 10 liters. Lime whitewash best falls on a moistened surface, so the parts of the ceiling are moistened during operation, and then covered with lime. To do this, use wide paint brushes (hard), a roller or spray gun.
Lime whitewash will best fall on a moistened surface
How to whitewash the ceiling? For whitewashing with a brush you need some experience, so if there is none, in order to get a perfect surface it is better to use a roller. The solution is thoroughly mixed before application, otherwise the whitening will turn out uneven. When whitening with a brush, the first layer is applied in the direction of sunlight, and the next – vice versa. So the marks from the brush will not be visible, and the ceiling will look neat. Soak a brush before whitening in warm water.
Important! In the process, the painted surface should be protected from direct sunlight, categorically it is impossible to arrange drafts or accelerate drying with the help of heating devices. During the entire cycle of work, a uniform temperature must be maintained..
Precautions
In the process of preparing the surface of the ceiling, when preparing a whitewash solution and conducting whitewashing, safety precautions must be observed. To protect against small particles of chalk and lime, use a respirator or face mask. Rubber gloves should be worn on the hands, goggles on the eyes.
Properly whitewashed ceiling has a pleasant matte sheen
After whitewashing, the ceiling has small pores that allow it to “breathe” and absorb water vapor. Subsequently, they evaporate and exit through these very pores. Whitewashing also has disinfecting properties. After drying, the whitewash forms a reliable abrasion resistant film. With the correct preparation of the composition and compliance with the application technology, whitewashing on the ceiling is maintained in excellent condition for 4-5 years.
Although whitewashing the ceiling with your own hands is a laborious process, it is easy to learn. But you can update and refresh the room yourself at minimal cost, it is only important to have a desire to learn how to do this..
