When carrying out renovations in an apartment, it is important to pay Special attention ceiling. Smooth and Smooth surface is able to emphasize the dignity of the room, filling the space with air and light, which are so necessary to create cozy atmosphere. Among the diversity finishing materials used for repairing and decorating ceilings, whitewashing is the leader in popularity.
An undoubted advantage is the material attractiveness of the process. In addition, many consumers make a choice in favor of whitewash, focusing on its hygienic safety and harmlessness to health, as opposed to hanging structures, stretch ceilings or ceiling tiles.
The beautiful gloss of a freshly whitewashed ceiling goes well with any design solution rooms, visually expanding the space (read an article on our website about beautiful ceiling with your own hands). And finally, whitewashing the ceiling yourself is a completely feasible task if you strictly adhere to the rules and instructions.
For whitewashing ceilings, chalk, lime or water-based paint are most often used. Most often, when choosing a material, they are guided by what the ceiling was previously treated with. In order to determine this, it is enough to run your finger over a dry surface: lime whitewash does not smudge, but chalk will remain on your finger.
However, if you have any doubts, you can rub the ceiling with a damp hand - the lime will darken, but will not remain on the skin, but the chalk will smear after your hand. It is not recommended to whitewash with chalk over lime, due to the possibility of the formation of numerous streaks and stains, which will entail repeated repainting. Ideally, ceilings should be painted once every one and a half to two years.
There are several types of emulsions:
- satin emulsion allows you to hide multiple defects on the ceiling surface due to the fact that the coating turns out to be somewhat glossy; depending on the marking of the emulsion, the degree of gloss may be different;
- matte emulsion has a denser texture, which makes it possible to hide more significant shortcomings surface, but it takes much longer to dry;
- special types of emulsions intended for kitchens or bathrooms have enhanced moisture-resistant and bactericidal properties.
Another argument in favor of chalk or lime is that when whitewashing with these materials, it is not necessary to pre-prime the ceiling.
Tools required for work
You can whitewash ceilings using either a roller or a brush. These methods are optimal for apartments and small country houses and premises.
Whitewashing using a spray gun is more labor-intensive and costly; it requires skill and ability to work with the unit; in addition, whitewashing with a spray gun creates a large amount of splashes that can interfere with work.
So, to carry out whitewashing work yourself you will need:
New brushes should be soaked entirely in warm water for several hours before use. Brushes prepared in this way will not “lose” their bristles during use. It is recommended to choose natural hard bristles with a width of 12-15 cm.
Rollers are selected individually, based on personal preferences. The main thing is to use a previously unused tool for whitewashing, in order to avoid defects and blemishes in the coating.
Diluting water-based paint is most often not particularly difficult, which cannot be said about preparing chalk or lime mortar.
The solution is prepared based on the approximate calculation that for each square meter A ceiling painted in one layer will require half a liter of the mixture. But most often component compositions are given on an area of 10 sq. m. The finished mixture can be stored for no more than 36 hours, and dry ingredients can be stored for several years without spoiling or losing their properties and qualities. If possible, the solution is mixed using a construction mixer.
To prepare a chalk solution, you will need from 30 to 100 ml of glue (PVA or carpentry), rubbed on a fine grater to soap rind weighing 50 g, as well as 3 kg of chalk sifted through a sieve (sifting - necessary stage, allowing you to remove debris and the largest particles from the whitewash material) and 10-20 g of ordinary blue to enhance the whiteness of the color and prevent possible yellowing of the coating.
First, soap shavings and glue are dissolved in warm water, then chalk, previously mixed with blue powder, is poured in in a thin, even stream with constant stirring.
The lime mixture is prepared somewhat simpler: 1.75 g is diluted in warm water rubbed lime, 100 g of table salt and 40-45 g of blue. However, this mixture does not produce rich white light, paying for it with its masking properties.
The amount of water is taken arbitrarily. Approximately 1 kg of chalk or lime requires 2 liters of warm water. To determine the optimal consistency of the mixture, use this technique: lower it vertically into the solution metal object with a smooth surface (pin or knife), if when pulled out the mixture flows off without leaving traces, the solution is not thick enough and chalk or lime should be added. In this case, the concentration of the mixture is increased gradually, checking the quality of the solution after each addition.
The finished mixture is left for 10-15 minutes, after which it is filtered through a sieve or a layer of rags. A well-prepared mixture has no lumps and, as it flows, paints the metal White color. Immediately before whitewashing, the solution is mixed well.
Before whitewashing, the room must be emptied as much as possible: all objects must be removed, cornices, chandeliers and other lighting fixtures must be dismantled. Large furniture and built-in items and decorative elements should be thoroughly covered plastic film and cover with tape. You need to lay it out with special care flooring– this will significantly save cleaning time later.
The floors can be covered in several layers with old newspapers or sheets, floor skirting boards– paste over masking tape. Close if necessary ceiling skirting boards and stucco.
Preparing the ceiling. Step 1. Removing old whitewash
Even if the previous whitewash is not cracked and looks quite clean, it is better to remove it. To make this task easier, there are special solutions, but you can use proven methods - warm water or a weak soap solution and a spatula.
Before starting work, you need to protect your face, body and hands with protective equipment. Lime or chalk have a detrimental effect on unprotected skin and are difficult to wash off from hair.
Removing whitewash is a painstaking and time-consuming process, depending largely on the nature of the whitewash mixture. The chalk layer is easier to clean than the lime layer.
How to remove old lime whitewash?
Most often, it is simply scraped off from the ceiling using a metal spatula, after tapping the area to be cleaned with a rubber hammer. Soaking lime whitewash is ineffective, since the old layer will clump and spread across the ceiling.
There is a known method of cleaning a ceiling slab using a paste, when the entire surface is thickly covered with a solution, and then it is cleaned off with a spatula along with the whitewash.
How to remove chalk whitewash?
The chalk layer is removed from the ceiling using hot water with the addition of 3% acetic acid and a sponge (it is acceptable to use a separate roller with a long handle). The thoroughly moistened stream is left for half an hour for the whitewash layer to swell, and then carefully removed with a spatula. If the layer is not sufficiently swollen, the ceiling is moistened again.
Chalk on problem areas need to be rubbed with a sponge. And after cleaning the ceiling, let the surface dry. The degree of cleanliness is checked by the presence or absence of white marks on the palm when touching the ceiling.
Step 2: Cleaning, patching and priming
When the old layer of whitewash has been removed, the ceiling must be cleaned of stains, traces of grease or rust, mold and mildew, if any.
Traces of rust and stains can be easily removed with warm salt water and a sponge. It is advisable to treat the dried area with a solution copper sulfate(75 g per 1 liter of water).
Old traces of fat are cleaned with a rag soaked in a solution of calcined salt, which is sold in hardware departments. After removing the stain, the area should be rinsed with water.
If the joints of the slabs on the floor cause concern, they can be glued with sickle tape - it will preserve the integrity of the coating from cracking. Slots, recesses and cracks need to be puttied. Best for troubleshooting ceiling tiles Homemade adhesive putty is suitable - it holds well and is easy to use.
To obtain it you will need two parts of wood glue and plaster and one part of sifted chalk. The mixture is mixed with water and applied to the ceiling using a spatula. After drying, the surface is rubbed with sandpaper until smooth. The ceiling prepared in this way is primed - this will give the surface additional moisture-proof properties and facilitate the whitewashing process itself. The primed ceiling is left to dry for 24 hours.
Step 3. Whitewash
With a well-prepared ceiling, two layers of whitewash are sufficient. You should start from the corners, mentally dividing the ceiling into sectors. It is most convenient to start from the window, gradually moving towards the door. When carrying out work, it is very important to eliminate drafts, otherwise the whitewash may crumble.
Each layer of whitewash must be dried thoroughly and only then proceed to the next one. There are some nuances when whitewashing with various tools.
Whitewashing with a roller is preferable, as it provides best results, even with no experience. Using a roller, you can use a V-shaped motion to ensure even coloring. Or you can apply multidirectional layers: the bottom layer is perpendicular to the window, and the top layer is parallel, carefully rolling the roller over the surface. This will avoid divorces. The overlap width between strokes should not be less than 5 cm.
It is important to ensure that there are no sagging or drips. To do this, excess whitewash solution should be removed from the roller by rolling the roller along the inclined part of the ditch.
Hard-to-reach areas and corners are painted with a medium-sized brush.
Whitewashing with a brush is a more painstaking and lengthy process. The principle is the same - the work begins from the window with short strokes, the layers are applied in different directions with an interception width of 5-6 cm.
Whitewashing the ceiling is a labor-intensive process, but quite doable on your own.
Video - Whitewashing the ceiling
Whitewashing is the most basic of all finishing works and an ideal option for 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, wet a small area of the ceiling using a brush, roller or spray bottle. 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 special tape and then putty. 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, then it is not recommended to treat it with chalk, since in the future stains may appear on the surface, which will seriously damage the ceiling. 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 bristle 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 simplest and most popular way to apply whitewash to a small area of flooring is to apply whitewash. 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 long handle, no stepladder 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.
A whitewashed ceiling is not some outdated technology, but one of the classic ways to decorate a ceiling. At the same time, you can do everything yourself and quite quickly. So that the repair does not take too long, and you do not have to be distracted by correcting defects, you need to prepare the tools and the ceiling in the room itself.
It all starts with preparing the instrument. Preparation consists of choosing the tools with which you will whitewash the ceiling.
Work can be performed:
- Brush;
- Roller;
- Spray gun;
- A vacuum cleaner with an air blowing function.
It all starts with choosing a brush for whitewashing - what tool you use will determine the quality of the work. There are different types of brushes, but the best option is a brush made of natural bristles, width – 15-20 cm. Before using the brush, soak it in water for several hours. So it will swell wooden handle brushes, and the bristles will be fixed.
This is important because the bristles should not remain on the whitewashed ceiling surface.
They also use rollers, and the quality will be better and the process will go faster. When using a roller, do not forget about the special tray.
How to whitewash the ceiling in an apartment: composition
You can whitewash using lime or chalk - these are the most popular do-it-yourself whitewashing methods.
To dilute chalk whitewash you need:
- Pour 30 g of PVA glue into warm water (an adhesive base is required), as an alternative - finely planed ordinary laundry soap;
- While stirring the composition, pour finely sifted chalk into it;
- 20 g of blue in the solution is also required - this is the prevention of yellowness of the composition.
It is not necessary to use PVA glue; it would be correct to use both wood glue and bustilate.
Lime whitewash This is how it is done: dilute 1.7 kilos of lime with 40 g of blue and water. It turns out ready mix, which can be applied to 10 squares of ceiling or walls.
Recipe for making lime whitewash (video)
Stages of whitewashing the ceiling with your own hands
If you decide to whiten with a brush, then the strokes are first applied perpendicular to the light source - that is, the windows. And the final layer is applied parallel to the windows. In this case, the bleached surfaces are monochromatic, without stripes.
Whitening the ceiling with a roller is even easier. The technology is as follows: pour the solution into the ditch, dip a roller into the solution, roll the roller along the slope of the pan. First the strokes go towards the windows, then parallel to the windows. The overlaps should be approximately 5 cm. Otherwise, unpainted areas will remain, and it will seem that the ceiling is either unpainted or painted different colors.
It is wiser to use a brush at the joints of walls and ceilings.
How to whitewash a ceiling using old whitewash and is it possible?
You can only renew the whitewash if the old layer is very thin and durable. But even in this case, experts still advise removing the old whitewash. This will ensure good result– free of streaks and other defects such as bubbles and streaks.
The old coating can be removed with a sponge, soap solution and paste. The chalk solution is removed very easily, so applying new whitewash without washing off the old one is stupid. But you will have to tinker with the lime composition. You can't do without a wide spatula.
Of course, if the ceiling has defects, you will have to repair the cracks.
Is putty suitable for whitewashing the ceiling?
Definitely yes! Moreover, whitewashing with putty is Painting works in complex. Putty "Shpakril" is both for sealing small defects and for gluing the ceiling. With this related functionality of the composition you save on materials.
Simply dilute this putty with water, about half a liter per kilo of material, and directly whiten the ceiling.
Application methods
You can do this:
- Spraying, recently airless spraying has become popular;
- An ordinary roller (the tool should be either long synthetic fur or sheep wool);
- With a brush.
By the way, at least it’s easier to work with a roller, but usually a ceiling painted with water-based emulsion is the merit of the roller. New methods are also emerging, usually involving paint guns and spray guns.
How to whitewash a ceiling with different colors (video)
Today, ceilings are whitewashed in the kitchen, bathroom, hallway and toilet, and utility rooms. The method of decorating the ceiling is quite quick and cheap, so you shouldn’t dismiss it as outdated. This classic way, so he will still be in demand for a long time.
Good luck with the renovation!
Of all the existing options for finishing the ceiling surface, the most popular is whitewashing. This is explained by its widespread use due to the affordable cost of carrying out the work and obtaining a good result.
Typically, new whitewash for walls and ceilings is applied after the surface has been thoroughly cleaned of the previous lime and chalk. A new layer of paint can be placed directly on top of the old one. But you need to know how to do it correctly so that the end result is beautiful. It will not take much time to put the ceiling in order, and such work can be done with your own hands.
Materials for whitewashing the ceiling surface
First of all, you need to decide how to whitewash the ceiling in your apartment by choosing one of the options. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages.
It could be:
- lime;
- water-based paint.
As for such a material for whitewashing the ceiling as chalk, it will give the repaired surface a radiant whiteness. Despite the fact that the premises will have good view, additional dust will appear in it. This is explained by the fact that the chalk will gradually begin to crumble. Also this material It is not waterproof, so it is not suitable for repairing the ceiling in the bathroom.
Whitewashing using lime is an excellent way to combat fungus. In the rooms where it appeared, this should be used. In addition, lime on the ceiling is resistant to high humidity. You can paint it ceiling surface in any room, including the bathroom. Lime whitewash successfully hides minor defects such as cracks and cracks.
Before whitening the ceiling with lime, you should take into account the fact that this material can cause an allergic reaction. Also, the surface is not perfectly snow-white, unlike a chalk-based composition.
After applying water-based paint, the ceiling has an excellent appearance; it adheres well to the previous coating. The composition sticks to old whitewash and does not begin to peel off over time. This paint has the only drawback - when using it, repairs can be carried out at temperatures from +5°C. But when painting the ceiling is done indoors, this circumstance does not matter.
If you do not want to wash off the previous layer from the surface, then you should know that whitewashing the ceiling using old whitewash has a number of nuances. The fact is that chalk cannot be applied to lime, and vice versa, otherwise the new layer of finishing will not fit well, resulting in dirty stains appearing on the ceiling surface.
It is permissible to apply the same layer or water-based paint on top of the chalk solution. If the old whitewash on the ceiling was lime-based, it can only be covered with the same material or an emulsion coloring composition. In addition, you need to take into account that enamels or oil paints are not applied to the old chalk or lime layer.
Tools for whitewashing
Before you whitewash the ceilings yourself, prepare necessary tools- such work is performed in one of three ways, for which they use:
- roller;
- sprayer, also known as a spray gun;
- brush.
If painting is carried out with a roller, then the coloring composition will lie in an even layer, without forming spots or streaks. To get a good result, whitewash is applied in two layers. You will need to have not only a roller, but also a container for the solution, a mixing tool, a paint tray and a small brush for applying paint where the ceiling meets the wall.
A brush for whitewashing can be purchased at any building materials store. affordable price. When using it, the composition splashes, so you should protect the furnishings in the room from it and use special eye glasses.
The use of a sprayer allows you to lay the whitewash in an even, neat layer. Using a spray gun to whitewash the ceiling, you will reduce the time it takes to complete the work. When using paint, make sure it is free of lumps. Its consistency should be more liquid compared to whitewash, which is applied with a roller or brush.
Choosing water-based paint
If, when deciding on the best option to whiten the ceiling, you decide to use this type of paint, then you need to take into account that there are many varieties of them, they differ in composition and properties:
- Polyvinyl acetate paints. They are the most affordable.
- Water-based emulsions with acrylic additives. They are the most popular. They are used for different surfaces, they are resistant to abrasion, but for ceilings this does not matter.
- Silicone paints. If the ceiling whitewash is being repaired, it can be done without using a primer. This coloring composition is distinguished by high degree vapor permeability, it is suitable for painting the ceiling surface in the kitchen or bathroom. This paint can reliably protect the ceiling from fungus.
- Water emulsions with latex. They have excellent water resistance, surfaces painted with them can be washed with detergents. Such compositions are the most expensive among similar products.
To decide which whitewash is best for the ceiling, before purchasing water-based paint, you need to carefully read the label, which indicates the purpose of the composition, consumption per “square” of area and other important information.
Correctly selected composition allows you to create long-lasting snow-white ceiling covering- it will not turn yellow over time and will be reliably protected from the appearance of fungus.
Whitewashing using water-based paint
Before whitewashing ceilings, applying water-based emulsion over lime, the previous layer should be pre-coated acrylic primer. Then it doesn’t hurt to make sure the surface is durable; to do this, you can try to scratch it.
Paint is applied only when the ceiling is not crumbling. When painting over chalk, there is no need to do any preparation. The water-based composition will adhere to the ceiling without the use of a primer.
Before starting renovations, you should prepare the room. Objects in it are carefully covered with film or taken out of the room to protect them from paint.
More convenient and simple process painting is to use a roller, for which proceed as follows:
- Paint is poured into a paint tray.
- The roller is dipped into the container and rolled along the inclined side of the tray so that the paint is distributed evenly over the surface and its excess runs off.
- The first layer is laid perpendicular to the window openings.
- Wait until the paint has completely dried.
- After this, the next layer is applied, placing it parallel to the windows.
- Using a brush, finish painting the sections of the ceiling where the ceiling connects with the walls.
Spray paint is much easier to apply. It is necessary to apply three layers, and you do not need to follow the direction of painting. The main thing is not to miss a single centimeter of the ceiling surface.
Repair with chalk
Before you make a ceiling with whitewash, you should prepare a chalk solution, for which 10 liters will require 50 grams of wood glue and 5 kilograms of chalk. Its consistency should be such that the composition does not drain from the knife. If this is not the case, add chalk. You can add blue to the mixture to make the surface snow-white, without yellowness.
The technology for repairing a ceiling with chalk is no different from the process of applying water-based paint. First, choose a repair tool - a brush, roller or sprayer. The composition should lie in an even layer.
Quite popular today is adhesive whitewashing of the ceiling, which contains glue; it is much easier to apply and holds more firmly. If a surface covered with simple chalk can stain your hands upon contact, then adhesive painting has no such disadvantages. In addition, this whitewash can be given any color shade.
Lime whitewash
To prepare a lime mortar for painting the ceiling surface, take 2.5 kilograms of lime, add 100 grams of salt, pre-soaked in water, and also a little blue. All components are mixed, and water is poured in so that the resulting volume of the mixture is approximately 10 liters.
The rules for how to whitewash a ceiling with lime are similar to the recommendations for how to apply water-based paint and chalk mortar.
Important nuances
When repairing the ceiling surface, you should take into account the purpose of the room. For example, if it is a bathroom, it requires the use of a special composition that is resistant to high humidity and capable of protecting the ceiling from fungus. Otherwise, the paint will lose its attractive appearance within a short time and, most likely, will begin to crumble.
When performing painting work, it is necessary to remember safety, since the whitewash must not come into contact with the respiratory system, eyes or skin. To do this, use a respirator, rubber gloves and special glasses. The fact is that the coloring composition can cause serious allergic reactions, and sometimes chemical burns.
Removing old whitewash from the ceiling
Despite the fact that there is a technology for how to whiten a ceiling with your own hands without washing off the previous layer, to obtain a high-quality result you need to clean the surface and be sure to level it.
You should definitely wash off the previously applied whitewash that does not adhere well to the ceiling. If it is not removed, you cannot expect a decent result. When the chalk or lime layer is smooth, thin and firmly in place, painting can be done over it.
If you still need to prepare the ceiling for whitewashing, proceed as follows to remove the chalk:
- The foam sponge is moistened in water so that it becomes damp and drops do not drip from it.
- They pass it over the surface over and over again, thereby washing off layer by layer, wetting it as often as possible.
- Finally, wipe the ceiling with a wet cloth, frequently dipping it in water.
As for the lime layer, it is much more difficult to remove:
- First of all, moisten the entire ceiling surface, for which you can use a spray bottle.
- The soaked material is removed with a scraper or spatula.
- Then thoroughly wash the ceiling with a sponge or rag to remove any remaining dust and lime.
It is better to work in sections: while the soaked lime is removed from one of them, the surface of the other absorbs moisture. As a result, you can prepare the ceiling faster. Also, special means are used to wash off the previous whitewash.
Building materials stores sell a remover that is applied by spray. After it dries, a crust forms on the ceiling; it must be removed with a scraper. Finally, wash the surface with a rag.
There is another option for deleting the old layer. Vinegar is added to the water in the amount of one tablespoon per 5 liters and 50 milliliters of bath foam. The components are thoroughly mixed and applied to the ceiling. After 20 minutes, it is cleaned with a scraper and wiped with a wet cloth.
There is another way to clean old whitewash. You need to mix water and flour. The resulting paste is applied to the surface and allowed to dry, after which removing the old layer is not difficult.
Professional ceiling painting
If you do not have enough skills and knowledge on how to properly whitewash ceilings, you can use the services of professionals. This solution has many advantages. It allows you not only to save time, but also to get excellent result. A professional will use a minimum amount of paint to whitewash the ceiling, so the repair will not cost much more than painting it yourself. The main thing you should pay attention to is the skill of those who are to be hired.
It must be remembered that whitewashing old paint is inexpensive and in a simple way transform the interior of the room into better side. It should not always be used and only when the previous layer is even and holds up perfectly. In this case, water-based paint, lime, and chalk applied directly to the old base will adhere reliably.
Whitewashing is not difficult. You need to turn to experts for help and hire professionals in order to save time if the owner of the premises is a busy person and does not have the opportunity to carry out repairs.
