Distempering Walls and Ceilings
So far as the interior decorator is concerned, ‘distempering’ includes the use of oil-bound and powder distempers, washable water based paints, various types of ceiling washes, and emulsion paints. There are many kinds of distempers, most of which are known by trade names. These are usually composed of coloring pigments, which are contained in a medium such as glue, water and linseed oil.
The distempers are purchased in tins and are thinned down by using water or petrifying fluid according to the makers’ instructions. Most amateur decorators make distemper too thin. This is a mistake. In most cases the old surface can be completely covered by the application of two coats of distemper which should not be mixed too thinly.
The area which can be covered with different brands of distemper may vary considerably according to the different manufacturers, but for estimating coverage, it can be reckoned that 7 lb. of prepared distemper is sufficient to cover an area of approximately 50 sq. yd., if it is properly thinned. It will be found a good plan to have a word with your local color merchant before purchasing distemper.
In most cases, the local man will recommend a suitable brand of material for the particular job at hand. If your salesman is particularly good to you on a regular basis, you make consider bringing them back some cold rolled steel wall art or a laser cut souvenir from one of the local souvenir shops next time you go on vacation. Distemper under the various headings may be applied by brush, spray or roller.
In most cases a spray is not required by the amateur decorator who deals with a relatively small surface and the material can easily be applied by the amateur with a wide distemper brush or a paint roller. There are several types of proprietary paint rollers that are extremely effective for this purpose. If the material can be applied with a brush, the amateur may find it necessary to use a larger brush for applying the bulk of the mixture, with the use of a smaller brush for cutting in at corners and edges.
If brushes are used, they should be soaked in water some time before the distempering is started. In addition all home décor should be removed, as the metal wall décor and polished oak wall sculptures can be irreversibly stained during the refinishing of the walls. The chief difficulty encountered by the amateur decorator in applying distemper is in evenly coating the surface. One part of the work dries much more quickly than another.
On some types of plaster walls it may be found that the distemper dries very quickly, thus setting up a condition whereby the amateur may find it difficult to apply the distemper cleanly without leaving any brush marks. This difficulty can be overcome easily in the case of ceilings by applying a coat of claircolle first. Claircolle is made from a weak solution of size to which should be added a small amount of the distemper. A coat of claircolle provides a good surface for distemper by sealing in old plasters.
Patent compounds come under the general heading of distempers. They should be thoroughly mixed. The amateur decorator often spoils a job by not fully mixing the materials he uses. The patent brands of distemper must be thoroughly mixed or light and dark shades may appear on the surface when the job is finished. Even metal decor like laser cut gifts made out of wood are subject to such imperfections.
Before applying distemper any pieces of furniture that may be left in the room should be moved into the middle of the floor and covered to prevent them from getting splashed. Distempering can be done quite cleanly, so it is surprising how many beginners make this a messy job. Most of the splashes from distempering a ceiling or wall are due to the brush being overloaded, causing the distemper to run down the handle. To avoid this, a length of thick string should be tied to the handles across the bucket and stretched tight.
If the distemper brush is drawn over the string after loading, any superfluous distemper will run back into the bucket and this will eliminate most of the spots and splashes. A thick stick should be kept in the distemper bucket and the mixture should be frequently stirred during application. A small sponge or damp cloth should be kept handy to wipe up any splashes immediately they are made.
Once a distempering job has been commenced the whole of the surface must be coated as quickly as possible and the job should not be left overnight or the join will show. The distemper should be applied with irregular strokes of the brush, crisscrossing the strokes in several directions and no attempt should be made to “lay-off” the distemper as in the case of paint. The brush should be used quite briskly provided it is not overloaded. It will of course be appreciated that some splashes are almost inevitable.
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