Whitewashing the ceiling is the simplest type of execution. repair work Moreover, it does not require large investments. Whitewashing is environmentally friendly and helps maintain the indoor microclimate. And also a whitewashed ceiling can significantly improve the interior of the room and fit into any design.
As renovation work progresses, many people wonder how to whitewash ceilings without involving specialists? To save money and get good result When whitewashing with your own hands, you should prepare the ceiling and room in the apartment or house. First of all, remove all furniture and belongings from the room. Objects that are too large are covered with paper or wrapped in film. Doors and jambs are also covered with film. The floors in the room are covered with a thick layer of newspapers.
Whitewash the ceiling yourself - the main points
Before starting work, you need to prepare the surface and find out what the ceiling was whitewashed with before the new renovation.
Old whitewash - wash it off or leave it on?
It is quite possible to apply whitewash over the old coating. But only if the old whitewash is in good condition. There are a number of nuances, for example, you cannot apply lime over chalk whitewash. Also, chalk is not applied over lime whitewash. Otherwise, you may end up with dirty stains instead of a perfectly white ceiling.
When it is impossible to whitewash the ceiling using the old layer of whitewash, the previous coating will have to be removed.
Removing old whitewashed coating
The chalk coating is easy to remove, and old lime On the contrary, it is much more difficult. Determining the origin of the previous whitewash is very simple. You need to wet a fragment of the ceiling with water and run your palm over the surface. If your hand is stained very white, it means whitewashing is made from chalk. If the hand remains without traces of whitewash, and the coating has darkened, it means that lime has been applied to the ceiling.
You can wash off old whitewash with plain water using a large brush and a small spatula. Part of the ceiling must be moistened with a solution of warm water and vinegar/citric acid. Then immediately start removing the wet material with a spatula. upper layer- it just scrapes off. To the leftovers old whitewash did not fall down to the floor, you can use a pallet. All remnants of the previous whitewash are washed off with a soft cloth.
Cleaning the ceiling surface
If there are any stains (grease, rust) or mold on the ceiling, all this should be removed and cleaned. Rust can be easily removed with water and immediately apply vitriol solution. Grease stains and mold particles are removed with a cloth soaked in an aqueous solution with regular soda. After the treated areas are washed with clean warm water.
After cleaning the ceiling, you need to look for cracks or bumps. If they are detected, such areas are cleaned and a primer and then putty are applied. It is advisable to choose a quick-drying adhesive putty as it is easy to apply and will last a long time.
The primer layer acts as a connecting element between the whitewash solution and the ceiling slab. The putty, in turn, makes the surface uniformly even and smooth, hiding roughness and imperfections.
After finishing preparatory work go directly to whitewashing.
What material to choose for whitewashing?
Before you begin whitewashing work, you need to decide on the choice of material for the solution: chalk, lime or water-based emulsion. If the previous coating was made of chalk, then the new layer should be made of chalk. With lime coating, this rule remains the same. This applies to those cases when it is decided to whitewash over old whitewash.
Chalk whitewash is widely popular, primarily due to its environmentally friendly raw materials. Chalk is hygienic and allows the ceiling to “breathe”. Also, the chalk coating gives a snow-white and shining effect after drying. The disadvantages of whitewashing with chalk include:
- fear of moisture;
- touching can get dirty;
- the appearance of dust if the whitewash begins to crumble.
It’s easy to prepare a chalk solution for whitewashing:
- 10 liters of water;
- 5 kg chalk;
- blue (it is added so that when drying the ceiling does not acquire a yellowish tint);
- a small amount of wood glue.
After mixing, the solution should be viscous and not flow off the tool.
When whitewashing using lime, small bumps or cracks are well masked; lime also hides cracks in the ceiling. One of the main advantages of lime is its bactericidal property. But along with this, there are also disadvantages of lime whitewash:
- long drying;
- Strong smell;
- the color of lime is not completely white;
- may cause allergies.
To make a solution for whitewashing you need to take 3-2.5 kg of lime, 100 grams of ordinary table salt, 1 liter of warm water and a little blue to get a white tint. The components are mixed and then added warm water. As a result, the volume of the solution should be at least 10 liters.
Construction and repair professionals especially highlight whitewashing (painting) the ceiling with water-based emulsion. The paint is completely non-toxic in its composition. That is why it is used in residential premises. Water-based paint is sold as a ready-to-use solution. It is also very resistant to external influences. Therefore, the cost of water emulsion exceeds the price of lime and chalk.
If the room has high humidity, you should purchase washable water-based paint. To avoid problems with the shade, it is better to buy immediately required quantity material.
List of tools
When whitewashing ceilings, you don’t need a lot of tools. It will be enough to select the following tools: gloves; container or bucket for solution; protective glasses; stepladder, long handle or pole or table; roller/wide brush; sprayer/spray gun.
If the room is small, it is better to use a roller or brush. If you have no experience in whitewashing, you should also give preference to a roller and work the corners of the ceiling with a brush. Unlike a brush, a roller saves water-based paint and solution, and does not leave behind streaks.
The technology for applying lime and chalk whitewash is similar. The water-based emulsion is applied with a brush or roller. If you have experience in similar works, then you can use a spray. The lime or chalk solution will lie evenly on the pre-moistened ceiling.
Work should begin from the walls, carefully moving along the entire perimeter of the ceiling. It is especially important to comply with this condition when using water-based emulsion. This method of application will help avoid streaks and marks.
Experts recommend whitening ceilings in several layers. The first layer is made parallel to the window, and the second goes perpendicular to the first. Each subsequent layer should overlap the previous one so that traces of brush or roller strokes are not visible. The number of layers can be from 2 to 4. Multi-layer whitewash allows you to paint the surface of the ceiling evenly.
After the entire ceiling surface has been whitewashed once, the whitewash should be allowed to dry completely. And after whitewashing done a second time, the ceiling will have a uniform matte white tone.
During the process, bubbles or drops should not form on the whitened surface, as stains and stains will subsequently appear in this place. When whitewashing with lime or chalk, be sure to stir the solution from time to time. This is done in order to ensure uniform thickness of the layers of the solution. Most last layer whitewashing should be done towards the window. Then allow the surface to dry completely naturally - without drafts, ventilation and without additional heating of the room.
When whitewashing, be sure to observe safety: cover and tie up your hair, use safety glasses, a mask or respirator, and rubber gloves.
Advantages of a whitewashed ceiling
- Affordability (unlike ceilings made of plasterboard or stretched fabric).
- Sufficiently moisture-resistant coating and natural composition.
- Durability of whitewashed coating.
- The service life of a whitewashed ceiling is from 3 to 5 years.
- You can whitewash ceilings yourself without special skills and knowledge. You just need to take into account the recommendations and nuances.
After the work, the result is a smooth, white color (or another shade when applied water-based paint) and an aesthetically beautiful ceiling.
Even now, many people, when carrying out renovation work, prefer to whitewash the ceiling. This is the easiest and most cost-effective way to do it. You can buy components such as chalk or lime in any hardware store or in a construction supermarket. The whitewashing itself is carried out in two stages, which we will discuss below.
Types of water-based paints:
- silicate;
- latex;
- silicone;
- acrylic.
When these paints are applied, the surface becomes a rich white color. Great importance This type of paint has the ability to cover the previous coating to which it will be applied. The higher this indicator, the less paint will be used when applying layers to obtain a uniform surface, and the greater the chance of not seeing various kinds stains and defects in the ceiling covering.
If there is very high humidity in the room, then experts recommend covering the ceiling surface with silicone water-based paints that have washing and moisture-resistant characteristics. Due to the fact that the tonality of paints may be different in different batches, it is necessary to purchase them slightly more than the required calculated volume.
Whitewash chalk can be purchased in powder or paste form. Chalk paste is a mixture of fine chalk, which also contains fungal additives and stabilizers. All this contributes to the quality and durability of the coating. At the same time, preparing a chalk paste will require less effort and time than a dry chalk solution. You just need to add the right amount of water to the paste.
Lime
Previously for ceiling whitewash Slaked lime was used. Currently, it can be replaced with a special decorative structured limestone. It makes it possible to make a ceiling surface original texture. When such a surface is opened with varnish, it will be similar to the surface of a fresco. If you no longer want to have a white ceiling, then the color of the solution must be changed using pigments. These are alkaline ocher, cinnabar, minium, ultramarine, or already prepared pigment pastes that are resistant to alkaline environments. It should be remembered that the use of ultramarine (blue) in large quantities may be too rich Blue colour the ceiling, which will not make it beautiful.
Therefore, this type of pigment must be treated very carefully. Do not add blue directly to the whitewash, but carefully dilute a small amount of it in one liter of water, and gradually add this solution to the whitewash until the desired result is achieved. It should also be noted that the whitewash that has just been applied to the ceiling will differ significantly in color from the one that has already dried. To avoid experimenting on the ceiling, try applying a small amount of whitewash to white paper first and wait for it to dry completely. If this tone suits you, feel free to whitewash the ceiling.
Preparatory work
Without preparatory work, the newly applied whitewash will crumble after a short amount of time. This category of work is very important if the ceiling was first whitewashed with lime, and then you wanted to whitewash it with chalk, or vice versa. We need to pay attention Special attention for the presence of greasy stains, dust, stains, soot. All this must be removed before whitewashing.
How to determine with one hundred percent certainty what was used during the previous whitewashing. Wet the ceiling with water. If the surface becomes dark and does not leave marks on the finger, then lime was used. If the ceiling is simply wiped off, whitewashing was carried out using chalk. If whitewashing was done with water-based paint, nothing will change.
Now we will tell you about fast way ridding the ceiling of old whitewash.
- From the very beginning, we clear the space of foreign objects. If this is not possible, then the floor space and remaining objects are covered with polyethylene and other protective waterproof material.
- Pour warm water into a basin, add a little soap, take out a brush or sponge.
- We visually divide the ceiling into squares, apply the solution from the basin onto the whitewash in small portions.
- Removes swollen areas with a spatula.
- The remaining whitewash must be washed off with warm water using a sponge.
Even if you don’t see stains, dirt or stains on the ceiling, there is a need to moisten the surface so that the next whitewash will adhere better.
If you have completed the previous stage, move on to the next one:
- Using a special tape (serpyanka), the joints of the ceiling slabs, if any, are glued;
- a well-cleaned ceiling surface is made smooth and possible cracks are eliminated. This procedure is performed using putty;
- When the putty is completely dry, it is necessary to grout it using sandpaper. After this work, the ceiling should become smooth. IN last resort The entire ceiling is primed.
After the primer has completely dried, proceed to the next stage.
Before whitewashing, the surface of the ceiling must be leveled. To do this, take a plaster solution, then moisten it and fill it with uneven spots, crevices and cracks. If lime plaster was used, then to eliminate its damage it is necessary to use a lime mortar, which consists of:
- small clean sand– two parts;
- lime slurry - one part;
- clean water.
The sequence of making such a solution: dilute the lime with water, add sand and water in the required quantity to obtain a thick mixture. If slaked lime is used, it must be mixed with sand and then diluted with water.
The second option for leveling the ceiling is using adhesive putty. It is prepared quite simply, is easily applied to the surface, and does not crumble for a long time. It consists of:
- chalk – one part;
- gypsum - two parts;
- wood glue - two parts.
For getting liquid solution, you must first add one liter of water to fifty grams of glue. Puttying is carried out using a spatula, which is moved first across and then along the cracks and cracks. After which the putty ceiling is rubbed down using pumice or chalk plaster.
After completing the putty work, we move on to the priming process. These works make it possible to make the ceiling smooth with the presence of a thin film that can become an obstacle to the absorption of paints.
A primed ceiling requires better adhesion of the surface to the finish. But it is important to remember that it is necessary to begin the final whitewashing of the ceiling only when the primer layer is completely dry.
We apply whitewash
We start by preparing the finishing material. This process is influenced by your choice of:
- chalk solution. To make it you need warm water, PVA glue and blue. Water is mixed with glue, chalk is slowly added. After thoroughly kneading the solution, add a small amount of blue. Once again, knead everything thoroughly until it is a homogeneous mass. For speed and quality we use a construction mixer;
- lime solution. If you have a ceiling of approximately 10 sq.m., you need to have 1.7 kg of lime, six liters of water and 40 grams of blue, mix everything well, adding water little by little to form a thick solution;
- solution from high pressure paint. It is diluted strictly according to the attached instructions, exclusively with water. To give the required shade, color is used.
Before applying the first layer, the perimeter is processed and hard to reach places ceiling using a paint brush. Then the roller is dipped in finishing material. Apply the first layer starting from the corner farthest to the window. When the ceiling is completely processed, it should dry well. Applying a second layer helps eliminate errors. It is applied parallel to the light. Before application, the solution is mixed well with construction mixer. Whitewashing is also applied from the far corner.
After finishing the whitewashing work, the ceiling should dry well. Until the ceiling dries, the windows in the room should be closed to avoid drafts. The window glass is covered with thick fabric to prevent direct hits. sun rays. It is not recommended to use a broom in the room until the ceiling is completely dry. If you decide to carry out the finishing work yourself, then do not forget about the need for a respirator, rubber gloves, and plastic construction glasses.
To get the perfect finishing layer, you need to listen to the advice of professionals:
- Only after the first layer has dried, the next one is applied, and only in the perpendicular direction. Drafts and direct sunlight should not be allowed. This is the only way to avoid spoiling the final result of the work;
- if you have not removed the previous whitewash, then the new one should be made of the same material as the old one;
- In order for the finishing material to acquire the color you need, you need to use colors purchased at any construction supermarket.
Whitening the ceiling using a roller
In order to whiten the ceiling, in most cases a roller is used. It is the optimal device for painting the ceiling using water-based paints, which contain acrylic polymers. To give the ceiling an ideal condition, whitewashing must be done using the correct painting tools. Velor and foam rollers are not suitable for this work, but sheep's wool or long synthetic fur will be what you need. Ready solution poured into a pre-prepared tray. Dip the roller into the paint and turn it so that the solution is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the roller.
We roll the roller over the corrugated surface a couple of times, pressing it slightly. To make it more convenient for you to whitewash the ceiling, use an extended handle. When you whitewash, try to move the roller parallel, grabbing a little of the previous strip. Painting is carried out in two layers, with each subsequent layer applied to the previous one after complete drying and strictly perpendicularly. In the presence of ceiling plinth it is painted with a brush at the very beginning. When completely dry, you should not see any spots, streaks or streaks. If they are still present, then you have followed the technology incorrectly. And do not forget, after finishing the whitewashing work, to put all the tools involved in proper condition so that there is no need for a new purchase.
- choose what you want, but with all this good old whitewashing never loses popularity. Among the main reasons are low cost, ease of application and environmental friendliness. These qualities are sometimes enough to turn a blind eye to the low durability of the coating. Let's figure out how to whitewash the ceiling and walls with lime and chalk, decide whether water-based paint is a whitewash, and which material performs better.
No. 1. Benefits of whitewashing
Whitewashing ceilings and walls is not the most modern way finishing, and far from the most fashionable. What makes thousands and tens of thousands of people across the country still whitewash in the old fashioned way? Whitewashing has enough advantages:
- low price– this is the main argument in favor of this type of finishing. When the budget is limited and the room needs to be tidied up, the choice falls on whitewashing. For this reason, in hospitals, schools and other government institutions gypsum and chalk are still actively used to decorate ceilings and walls;
- ease of application. A person without special training can handle whitewashing - no special skills, abilities or tools are needed;
- careful appearance . Of course, in terms of intricacy and decorativeness, the whitewashed ceiling is inferior tension system, A whitewashed walls– finished Venetian plaster, but if you apply whitewash correctly, you can end up with a fresh white surface with an even matte color. If desired, dye can be added to the whitewash solution;
- harmlessness, environmental friendliness, ability to pass moisture and air. Conventional whitewashing is far ahead in this regard and ceiling tiles made of polystyrene foam, so in some cases it will be even more preferable;
- lime whitewash has bactericidal properties, therefore it will become additional protection from and fungus.
Among cons low durability (1-3 years), uncomplicated appearance and dirt during application.
No. 2. What to whiten with: lime, chalk or water-based paint?
When people talk about whitewashing, they most often mean lime whitewash. Lime (calcium oxide) is slaked with water to obtain a material that is used for finishing.
The main advantages of lime whitewash:
- bactericidal properties of the material, which is why such finishing is used in kindergartens, schools, medical institutions, even in damp areas. The antiseptic qualities of lime also make it possible to actively use it in arranging cellars and chicken coops. For the same reason, tree bark is treated with lime whitewash;
- If mortar was prepared and applied correctly, the coating will last about 3 years or even more;
- resistance to temperature changes and high humidity. That is why lime can be finished if other materials are unaffordable;
- excellent adhesion to almost all materials, including wood, plaster and;
- ability to fill small cracks;
- low price, which is typical for any whitewash.
Despite all its advantages, lime is different and shortcomings. The main one is the possibility of getting burned, so all work must be carried out with gloves. Chalk is much safer in this regard. In addition, there is a possibility of leaving stains and streaks. Allergy sufferers are not recommended to use this finish. 
Chalk just like lime, it is inexpensive and environmentally friendly, and among its additional benefits:
- safety at work;
- deeper White color, which many people like better than the color obtained by lime whitewashing;
- Possibility of use in rooms where allergy sufferers live.
Chalk, when interacting with water, is capable of accumulating it, which leads to the appearance of cracks on the surface and rapid peeling of the whitewash layer, so chalk whitewash is taboo in bathrooms, kitchens and other wet rooms. If the application technology is violated, you can get not only stains and stains, but also bubbles. In addition, chalk whitewash gets dirty. 
There is such a thing among people as whitewashing with water-based paint. This finish has nothing to do with whitewashing and belongs to. It began to be classified as whitewashing, apparently, due to the composition of the materials used - this lime based paints. Today, painting with mineral water-based paints can be considered the best alternative whitewash Among the main advantages of this option:
- resistance to abrasion, temperature changes;
- bactericidal properties;
- ability to breathe;
- safety for humans;
- ease of use, high drying speed.
However, the durability of such a coating is also not great, but the price is significantly higher than that of conventional whitewash. 
No. 3. How to determine what was used for whitewashing?
Probably everyone has heard at least once in their life that different whitewashes cannot be mixed. If lime whitewash was applied to the ceiling or wall, then when installing chalk whitewash on top, you will soon be able to see unsightly stains. When preparing a room for finishing and assessing the condition of surfaces, it is very important to determine what whitewashing was done before.
The check is very simple. It is enough to wet a small fragment of the finish with water and observe the reaction. Wet lime will darken a little, and if you rub the surface with your finger, there will be no white marks left on your hands. 
No. 4. How to wash off whitewash and prepare the surface?
Before whitewashing a ceiling or wall, it is necessary to prepare the room and surface for future work. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- If possible, remove all pieces of furniture and decor from the room. What could not be taken out can be covered plastic film and secure it masking tape;
- It will be easier if you wet it first. It is better to wet the surface in parts so that the moisture does not have time to dry out. Some people recommend adding a little to warm water citric acid or vinegar, others use a mild soap solution. You can moisten the surface with a sponge or brush. It is enough to simply remove the soaked whitewash with a spatula. It is better to try to dump the fragments that fall off into a separate container, minimizing their contact with the floor. Residues are washed off with a damp sponge. Chalk whitewash much easier to remove;
- if there visible spots, the surface must be tidied up. Rust spots washed with water and then treated with a solution copper sulfate(the solution is prepared by adding 50-100 g of vitriol per 1 liter hot water). Oily stains can be removed with a weak solution of soda ash: a rag is moistened in a 2% solution and applied to the contaminated surface until the stain completely disappears. Then the treated area is thoroughly washed with water. Treating with a solution can help remove soot of hydrochloric acid concentration 2-3%;
- application of an antifungal composition;
- if there are noticeable marks on the surface cracks and dents, then it’s better to get rid of them. If the depth of the unevenness is within 1 cm, then you can use it; if there are cracks up to 3-5 cm, then it is better to use plaster. The putty can be found ready-made, or in dry form; it will need to be mixed with the amount of water indicated on the package. Apply the mixture with a spatula and level it with it. If there are large vertical deviations, you can use building rule. Many experts consider it illogical to apply expensive store-bought putty under cheap whitewash, so prepare the composition yourself. The simplest recipe: mix plaster, chalk and wood glue solution in a ratio of 1:2:2. A glue solution is prepared by adding 30-50 g of glue to 1 liter of water;
- After the putty has dried, it must be rubbed sandpaper to get a flat, smooth surface;
- application . In principle, you can take any ready-made composition, Can i prepare the primer yourself. One of the simplest and suitable recipes: dissolve 50-100 g of drying oil and 200 g of laundry soap, cut into thin shavings, in 3 liters of hot water, dilute 3 kg of slaked lime separately in 4 liters of water, then the two solutions are mixed and diluted with water to a volume of 10-11 liters;
- After the primer has dried, you can proceed to whitewashing. It takes about a day to dry.
If your only task is update the whitewashed surface, then if there are small defects, they can be repaired with cement-based putty, and then proceed to applying a new layer of whitewash.
No. 5. Preparing a solution for whitewashing
Since lime is used more often, we’ll start with it. The process of preparing the material is simple, but it still requires care. So, how to dilute lime for whitewashing?
Now let's look at how dilute whitewash based on chalk:
Note that ready-made dry mixtures are also available for sale, where lime or chalk has already been mixed in the required proportions with other components - you just need to add the required amount of water. Such mixtures are more expensive if you take all the ingredients separately, but the difference is small. 
No. 6. How to whitewash the ceiling and walls: brush, roller or spray?
Theoretically, you can apply whitewash:
- brush;
- roller;
- spray gun;
- vacuum cleaner with air blowing function.
Let us immediately note that the first two options are more applicable - using a vacuum cleaner and a spray gun makes sense when large area surface to be whitened. 
Whitewash brush take a special one, made of natural bristles, 15-20 cm wide. After work, the brush can be washed and used again later. For whitewashing brick wall You can use a brush with natural bristles. It is advisable to soak it in water several hours before use. In this case wooden handle it swells a little and holds the bristles well, which will not fall out during the whitewashing process. 
Before applying the mixture, it is important to mix it well again to ensure an even shade. The first layer is applied perpendicular to the window, the second – parallel to the frames. In this case, the streaks from the brush will be minimally noticeable. Experts recommend slightly moistening the surface of the ceiling and walls before applying the mixture. 
It is better not to use a whitewash roller. When there is only one layer, this tool will still work, but when applying the second layer, the dried first one may fall off. If you act carefully, you can get a beautiful matte surface. 
Sprayer and vacuum cleaner take only when there is a large surface to be finished. The consumption of the solution increases, it is applied in a thicker layer, but it will be possible to mask small defects. If you have a sprayer at your disposal, then no questions arise. 
You can also apply whitewash with a vacuum cleaner if it has an air blowing function. Among the numerous attachments in such models there should be a polyethylene lid with tubes. This cap is the sprayer. It must be put on the can and connected with a hose to the outlet in the vacuum cleaner. It turns out that when you blow out air with a vacuum cleaner, the air enters the sprayer, draws the solution from the can and sprays it through the nozzle. As a rule, there is a special hole on the sprayer, covering which you can obtain the required solution supply pressure. It is better to apply the solution in a circular motion, spraying at a distance of 70-100 cm. 
No. 7. In conclusion about safety precautions
To avoid having to undergo treatment after whitewashing, it is better to take care of safety precautions in advance. The respiratory tract is protected with a respirator, a wet bandage or a protective mask. Hands must be protected rubber gloves, and eyes - glasses.
The ceiling is one of the most important parts of the interior of any apartment. And today, to repair the ceiling, a huge number of the most various materials. However, despite the huge diversity modern technologies, and finishing options, whitewashing is still relevant and popular.
Whitewashing the ceiling with water-based paint is the easiest way to give it the appropriate appearance. But whitewashing with prepared solutions of lime and chalk is an equally high-quality and, at the same time, affordable and simple way to update a room. After all, a freshly whitewashed ceiling will make any room fresher, more spacious and more comfortable.
Preparing the surface for whitewashing
Preparing the ceiling for whitewashing is a rather important stage in all work. If you skip it or do it poorly, the new whitewash may simply crumble after a while. It is especially important to properly prepare the surface if the coating was treated with lime, and now chalk or paint will be used for whitewashing.
Surface preparation can be called the most critical and labor-intensive stage of work. It is carried out so that after all repair work is completed, no stains of dirt, grease or rust appear through the fresh paint or other coating, and the surface itself has a uniform and uniform appearance.
The surface preparation process can be divided into three stages:
- removing the old layer of whitewash;
- removing traces of dirt and stains from the ceiling surface;
- surface leveling;
Old whitewash can be removed with a sponge dipped in soapy water. Paste and a wide spatula will remove the old coating well. The preparation stage completely depends on what material the ceiling was covered with. This is due to the fact that chalk mortar is removed quite easily, but in order to get rid of lime mortar you will have to make an effort.
To determine what the ceiling was covered with, just run your palm or material across it. Chalk will always leave a white mark on the surface. The more thoroughly the previous layer of whitewash was cleaned, the better the adhesion of the new coating to its surface.
Ceilings with soot or soot remaining on the surface must be treated with a 3% hydrochloric acid solution. But when performing such processing, you need to take care of your own protection, the protection of furniture and other objects.
Drips that still appear on the ceiling can be painted over using a slurry made from synthetic drying oil and lime. It is necessary to treat such places until they completely disappear. Grease stains are removed using a clean cloth moistened with soda ash solution. Then the cleaned area is thoroughly washed with water. room temperature.
Alignment
In order to whiten the ceiling efficiently and correctly, it must first be leveled. Gaps, cracks and uneven areas must be filled with plaster solution. For example, damage lime plaster must be filled with a solution of the same quality. This solution is prepared from two parts of fine but clean sand, one part of water and lime slurry. Lime is diluted with water at room temperature, sand and more water are added to it to obtain a homogeneous, thick mass. Slaked lime is mixed with sand and water is added.
In order to level the ceiling, you can use adhesive putty. This solution is easy to prepare and apply and will adhere well to the ceiling surface. This putty consists of one part chalk, two parts gypsum and the same amount of wood glue. If it is necessary to obtain a liquid type solution, the glue is mixed with water in the proportion of 0.5 kg of glue per 1 liter of water.
The putty is applied to the surface using a special spatula. The solution is applied first across cracks and crevices, and then along. A smooth ceiling is rubbed down using fine-grained sandpaper, and to improve the quality of the surface it is coated with a primer.
How to whiten
The most common materials for whitewashing ceilings are chalk and lime. Both options are hygienic and environmentally friendly. Lime perfectly tightens and closes cracks, and also has excellent bactericidal properties.
If any of the residents are allergic to lime, the ceiling can be whitewashed with chalk. Distinctive feature chalk, when used to decorate the ceiling, you can call it a pure and bright white color. In addition, chalk has excellent hygienic qualities and provides the premises with sanitary and hygienic conditions. Many people consider whitewashing to be the application of water-based paint to the ceiling, but this process can be called more like painting.
Whitewashing with chalk
Before whitewashing the ceiling with chalk, you should definitely pay attention to the material with which it was previously covered. This is due to what is applied to chalk ceiling lime mortar is no longer possible. The surface after such treatment may be decorated with stains and stains.
Preparation of the solution
Heat 5 liters of water to room temperature and dissolve in it 30 g of wood glue, 3 kg of chalk and 10-20 g of blue. Blue is added to the mixture specifically to enhance the whiteness of the future whitewash. This amount of chalk-based solution will be enough to whiten 10-15 square meters. meters of ceiling. The density of such a solution is checked using a knife, which is immersed in it. If liquid drips from the blade, you can add chalk to the solution to bring it to the required consistency.
How to whiten
The whitewashing process itself is usually performed in several layers. Each subsequent layer can be applied only after the previous one has dried well. In the absence of a spray bottle, for correct application whitewash can be used with a roller. The very last layer must be applied towards the window, and the previous ones along the wall near which the window is located. Before starting work, the ceiling must be brushed around the perimeter. This is done so as not to subsequently touch the already finished walls with the roller.
Lime whitewash
If you have chosen lime mortar to decorate the ceiling surface, remember that during the work process, the painted ceiling or even walls must be protected from direct sunlight. During work, it is necessary to strictly avoid drafts or try to speed up the drying process by using heating devices. Throughout the entire work cycle, it is necessary to maintain the same temperature regime.
Preparation of the solution
One liter of water is heated to room temperature. 2-3 kg of slaked lime, 100 g are added to it. pre-soaked salt or 200 gr. aluminum alum, a small amount of diluted blue and, if necessary, 400-500 gr. dyes. All components are thoroughly mixed, and some more water at room temperature is added to the composition. The total amount of the resulting solution should be 10 liters.
How to whiten
Lime whitewash works best on a moistened surface, and therefore all areas of the ceiling must be constantly moistened during work. To achieve this effect, wide paint brushes, a roller or a spray gun are used.
In order to work with a brush, it is necessary to have a certain experience and therefore an inexperienced worker, to obtain a perfect flat ceiling, it is best to use a roller. All components of the solution are thoroughly mixed to ensure maximum homogeneity, which will ensure uniform coating.
If whitewashing is applied with a brush, then the first layer of solution is applied in the direction of the light, and the rest in the opposite direction. The brush with which the solution will be applied is pre-soaked for several hours in plain water.
It can be noted that, if desired and carried out carefully, both options for applying whitewash will make the ceiling white and neat. Which option is better will depend on the wishes of the owners of the premises and design features.
Whitewashing is the most basic of all finishing works And perfect option refreshing the room. However, this type of processing is not often used today. When you have decided to refresh your home by whitewashing the ceiling, it is important to find out how to do it correctly. Today we will tell you what methods of whitewashing exist and how to carry out repairs on your own quickly and efficiently.
Preparing the ceiling for whitewashing
Before work it is necessary to prepare the room: remove excess furniture or cover it with plastic, remove lamps, chandeliers, cornices, prepare tools and accessories.
Removing old whitewash
To apply fresh whitewash, you must first remove the old coating. Most affordable way- wash it off with water. To do this, moisten small area ceiling using a brush, roller or spray gun. When the previous layer swells, it is scraped off with a spatula, spatula or scraper. This manipulation is carried out over the entire ceiling area.
Important! To enhance the removal effect, you can add a little citric or acetic acid to the water.
The previous white layer can be quickly removed using a grinding machine.. However, in this case, you should protect your eyes and respiratory organs from dust.
Removing traces of dirt
After the old paint layer has been removed, The ceiling is carefully inspected for stains of rust, mold, grease and other contaminants.
Rusty marks and stains can be washed off with a suspension of copper sulfate. Regular stains are simply washed off with water, and soot is cleaned with a solution of hydrochloric acid (3%).
Fat is removed with soda ash dissolved in warm water.
Leveling process
Cleaning of stains and previous whitewash is important before the actual process of refreshing the room, but in order for the whitewash to lie evenly, the entire ceiling should be repaired, repairing cracks and other defects with cement-based putty.
Ceiling joints are glued with special tape and then puttied. When the ceiling is dry, the putty areas are treated with sandpaper and a primer is applied. Only after it has dried (no earlier than a day later) do they begin to work.
Did you know? U With lova "repair" - French roots, b originally it was related to the cavalry units of the army. “Repair” meant replacing old horses with young ones.
Choice of whitewash
There are several options for covering the ceiling: chalk and lime. Both materials are environmentally friendly, but each of them has its own pros and cons.
Chalk
This material is suitable for those who aim to achieve maximum depth of whiteness in the ceiling. Ground construction chalk meets all sanitary and hygienic standards, does not cause allergies and is ideal for processing both residential and auxiliary premises, as well as hallways.
Among the disadvantages of chalk mortar, it is worth noting that over time it gradually crumbles, leaving excess dust in the room. In addition, this whitewash is not waterproof and is completely unsuitable for finishing work in the bathroom and in rooms with high humidity.
Important! If the ceiling was originally covered with lime, it is not recommended to treat it with chalk, since stains may appear on the surface in the future, which will seriously spoil the appearance.
Lime
This material has a high bactericidal quality, good resistance to moisture and does a good job of masking minor surface defects.
However, when decorating bedrooms and especially children's rooms, the individual reaction of residents to slaked lime should be taken into account. It can cause allergies.
Tool preparation
The ceiling can be covered qualitatively and evenly with a sprayer, roller or brush. Novice craftsmen should not use a spray gun, as there is a danger of splashing the walls. It is better to give preference to a brush.
It must be made from organic materials with a pile no shorter than 15 cm. Before finishing, several hours before finishing, the brush is soaked in water to make it softer and stronger. The advantage of such a tool is that the whitewash is easily washed off.
The roller is also good for beginners. It allows you to carry out high-quality and fast finishing work. When purchasing a roller, you should take care of the tray into which the whitewash will be poured.
Did you know? For gluing stones during the construction of the Great Chinese wall a solution mixed with rice porridge was used.
If you already have skills in applying the solution or the surface area is quite large, It is better to use a spray gun, vacuum cleaner or garden sprinkler.
Whitewashing process
So, the material has been selected, the ceiling has been prepared, and you can begin the coating process itself.
Preparation of the solution
Based on the selected material, the specifics of preparing the solution also differ.
Chalk based
To prepare the chalk solution you will need (per 10 sq. m. surface):
- 5 liters of warm water;
- 30 g glue (carpentry or PVA);
- 2.5-3 kg of chalk;
- 15-20 g blue (used to prevent the appearance of yellow spots).
The consistency of the chalk mixture should be such that it does not flow completely off the object.
Important! In order not to overdo it with the amount of chalk, it is added in small portions, achieving the required consistency.
Lime based
For lime preparation you will need:
- lime - 2.5-3 kg;
- table salt - 70-100 g;
- aluminum alum - 150-200 g;
- water.
Video: Preparing whitewash for walls
Methods of applying the solution to the ceiling
There are three main ways to whitewash a ceiling. All of them are easy to perform, but some nuances should be taken into account.
Brush
The easiest and most popular way to apply whitewash to a ceiling small area- maklovitsa. Dipping the brush into a container of white, use it to make W-shaped gestures across the surface, thus applying layer after layer.
When applying the solution with a brush, you should remember that the first level is applied from the window, and the second - on the contrary, so that no brush marks remain.
Roller
If you paint with this tool, the whitewash will lie smoothly and no streaks or plaques will form. To achieve the desired effect, the solution will have to be applied in two layers. The second layer is applied after the first has dried.
Just one roller will not be enough. Additionally, you will need a container for the solution, some kind of stirring object and a special painting tray. In addition, you will have to stock up on a small brush to cover the ceiling at the joints - you won’t be able to do this neatly with a roller.
Main advantages of the roller:
- whitewashing material is saved;
- the coating is applied in an even layer, without drips or streaks;
- no bristles remain;
- if the roller is equipped with a long handle, a stepladder is not needed;
- high productivity over large areas.
Sprinkler
You can apply whitewash with a spray gun (sprinkler) or a vacuum cleaner (if you have a special attachment). If you carry out the procedure correctly, you will get a good result.
The device works like this: under pressure, air enters the spray gun and takes required amount whitewash and sprays them along with the air.
To regulate the flow of paint, the sprayer has a special hole, when closing and opening which the intensity of the jet is adjusted.
Before painting, the solution is thoroughly mixed, poured into a container and closed.
Important! The container must first be moistened. This ensures better adhesion of the mixture to the surface.
When applying whitewash to the ceiling, be sure to monitor the surface, trying to prevent the appearance of drops, which then lead to stains.
To apply the paint evenly, spray it in a circular motion. In this case, the spray gun must be kept at a distance of 70-100 cm from the surface.
For a better result, you will need to apply 2-4 layers, which will hide minor defects.
Solution application technology
Whatever whitewashing method you choose, there are general rules carrying out the work:
- During drying, avoid drafts and open sunlight. Otherwise, there is a high risk that the paint will crumble.
- It is better to apply lime mortar to a dampened ceiling. Then the whitewash will adhere better and will not leave streaks.
- There is no need to rush. Layers should be applied in even circles.
- Regardless of the chosen finishing method, you should first brush over the joints and all corners, and only then begin the main work.
- Do not make the mixture too thick - the consistency should resemble fresh sour cream. Otherwise, the paint will not apply evenly.
- To achieve a homogeneous layer, filter all components, freeing the solution from excess debris and lumps.
- At least two layers should be applied, observing a technological break between each one. This way you can achieve uniform whitening.
- It is advisable to remove the previous whitewash completely. Then the chances of the absence of streaks and stains will increase.
- The overlaps between layers should be 4-5 cm. This will allow you to avoid unpainted areas.
Did you know? Chalk is one of the components earth's crust. The percentage of its content in it is 4%. And more than 20% of sedimentary rocks consist of chalk and limestone.
Precautionary measures
Compliance with safety precautions is required for all types of repair work. And whitewashing is no exception. First of all, you should protect your body, eyes and respiratory organs. Therefore, finishing must be done in safety glasses, a respirator (can be replaced with a gauze bandage soaked in water), gloves, a headscarf and overalls (the ideal option is overalls).
As you can see, whitewashing with your own hands is possible for anyone who decides to refresh their home. By following the above rules, even a beginner will be able to finish the ceiling almost perfectly.