Whitewash Recipe

By
©1993-2012 Tim Carter

        
Summary: Whitewash is simple and any recipe for whitewash lets you make whitewash paint easily. If whitewash painting is in the cards for you, read here how to make whitewash, what whitewash ingredients to use, and with a little practice, start whitewashing like our forebears in days of yore...

Whitewash Recipes

Here are several whitewash recipes I have come across. The common thread in all of them is that they are very basic with respect to the ingredients. The one I used was indeed the easiest.

The recipe the architect provided to me was: 50 lbs of Ivory Hydrated Lime and 10 lbs. of Morten's table salt. Mix with clean water to a paste consistency. Apply with a stiff brush. Wet the masonry first. After partial drying rinse some off to achieve blotchy appearance.

Here is a recipe that I found on the Internet for Historic Whitewash Formula.

  1. Salt
  2. Alum - Common Potash Aluminum
  3. Molasses - Unsulfured, light brown/clear
  4. Water
  5. Hydrated Lime
  6. Optional: Portland Cement Type I or Type II

Part A: Mix 12 pounds salt, 6 ounces of alum and 1 quart molasses dissolved in 1.5 gallons of water.

Part B: Mix 50 pounds of the hydrated lime with 5 gallons of hot water. Let this stand for 12 hours. After 12 hours mix Parts A and B together to a brushable consistency.

You can add white Portland cement for more durability. But substitute only up to 10 percent of the lime you use. In this recipe you would use 5 pounds of white cement and 45 pounds of lime.

Here is a recipe that was emailed to me from a reader in Cincinnati, Ohio. His unedited note is as follows:

Dear Tim,

I enjoyed your column on "Whitewash Protects Brick" and thought you might be interested in the following paragraph copied from "The Ohio Valley Farmer" publication, dated June, 1860.

"WHITEWASH, as used on the President's house, in Washington, is made as follows: Slack half a bushel of unslacked lime with boiling water; cover it during the process. Strain it, and add a peck of salt dissolved in warm water, three pounds ground rice, boiled to a thin paste, put in boiling hot, half a pound Spanish white, and one pound clear glue, dissolved in warm water. Mix and let the whole stand a few days. Keep in a kettle, and put on hot with a brush."

Interesting isn't it? This was in an article titled "USEFUL AND DOMESTIC RECIPES."

Regards,

Gil Gandenberger
Cincinnati, OH



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Comments:

Welcome! I, Tim Carter, don't answer questions here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area, perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use this free service. If you have an emergency and need to talk to me, there is an option there for you.
Catlin Whitford
19 Jul 2008, 16:51
I have a woven Cane headboard. It is 100% unfinished, with all items unfinished. What I want to do is simulate a White Chinese Lacqur, to match the rest of the items in my house. Please give me an idea of a hard sturdy finnish, that fits the requirements thatI need.
Keith
12 Apr 2009, 10:57
Hi Tim. Reading your articles about whitewashing here with interest. I would like to try whitewashing a rather hideous orange brick on my present home.

You mention the use of white portland cement. I don't know about this material but I'm guessing it can't stand overnight in the mixture of lime and water. When would you add the white lime and how much time would one have to apply the whitewash before the cement starts to set up? Thanks!
Shell
07 May 2009, 12:17
Would this whitewash technique work as a (I call it underpinning) good cover for the area of foundation at the bottom of a slab? And could you make it a regular cement color? I would not want a real white color on the foundation.
fred
03 Oct 2009, 20:11
What purpose does the molasses serve in the whitewash recipe?
stacy
23 Mar 2010, 10:37
I have a stone fireplace and would like to tone it down. Is whitewashing the stone an option?
Bob Rinehuls
04 Apr 2010, 17:33
Forty years ago my father made whitewash so we could paint a couple hundred feet of board fence. After painting a few sections, my brother and I reported that it was a big mistake and a big waste of time, as the newly painted fence had a blue-purple tint to it. After it dried the next day it was a different story. The fence was brilliant white.
Kevin
02 Jun 2010, 10:15
Hi,

I would like to whitewash the walls and ceiling (Pine tongue and grove) of a 3 season porch I am putting in but one of my concerns is through experience of others is that it molds over time. Is there anything I can put on it after I whitewash the wood to avoid this?

Thanks
Lauren
10 Jul 2010, 21:25
I am interesting in achieving a greek - aegean look in a room I am decorating. I want to whitewash the walls (sheetrock) - first off - is this possible. Second - I am looking to tint the wash an aegean blue. I am looking for a natural looking, or imperfect tinting technique. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Ashley
03 Aug 2010, 16:17
Where can I buy Ivory hydrated lime???
Sheila
16 Aug 2010, 19:45
I have 2 olive drab army tents. would like to turn them white. Do you have any suggestions how I can do this. They are made out of canvas.
Thank You
Sheila

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