Painting Internal Walls
#1
Painting Internal Walls
I started a thread on this subject in 2012 and wanted to add a new post but sadly my thread has been closed so I will have to start a new one. Since I moved to Hungary I have discovered that a lot of the paint you can buy for internal walls is not vinyl emulsion and is not washable. I have also found that this type of paint has been used extensively in the past so the existing finish is often also not washable. Such paint was routinely used in UK in the days before modern emulsion paints came on the market and my parents were familiar with the different preparation methods employed at that time. Sadly they are no longer with us so I am unable to ask their advice.
I have now found a useful article on this subject which may be of help to expats whe are re-decorating properties in Hungary:
The Problem with "Distemper" | Patrick Baty – Historical paint consultant
I have now found a useful article on this subject which may be of help to expats whe are re-decorating properties in Hungary:
The Problem with "Distemper" | Patrick Baty – Historical paint consultant
Last edited by fidobsa; Oct 3rd 2015 at 7:05 pm.
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,094
Re: Painting Internal Walls
The standard interior wall paint in Hungary is a water based emulsion, and yes it is not particularly washable. You can also get a lime based version. Both types will allow walls to breath i.e. will not trap damp in the wall as water vapour can pass through the paint. The lime based version is a bit better for this than the standard type. Tubes of colour paste can be got to mix in for those bored with white.
A lot of the adobe built houses still use an annual / biannual lime wash as the decoration and there are various methods of colouring this if needed
The UK type vinyl emulsion should not be used on the majority on Hungarian houses as it puts a plastic waterproof coat on the wall that whilst washable will trap any moisture in the wall with no way of escape.
A lot of the adobe built houses still use an annual / biannual lime wash as the decoration and there are various methods of colouring this if needed
The UK type vinyl emulsion should not be used on the majority on Hungarian houses as it puts a plastic waterproof coat on the wall that whilst washable will trap any moisture in the wall with no way of escape.
#3
Veszprém Megye
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Sevenoaks Kent UK and soon near Tapolca Hungary
Posts: 371
Re: Painting Internal Walls
The standard interior wall paint in Hungary is a water based emulsion, and yes it is not particularly washable. You can also get a lime based version. Both types will allow walls to breath i.e. will not trap damp in the wall as water vapour can pass through the paint. The lime based version is a bit better for this than the standard type. Tubes of colour paste can be got to mix in for those bored with white. A lot of the adobe built houses still use an annual / biannual lime wash as the decoration and there are various methods of colouring this if needed The UK type vinyl emulsion should not be used on the majority on Hungarian houses as it puts a plastic waterproof coat on the wall that whilst washable will trap any moisture in the wall with no way of escape.
Do you know any trade names for the lime based white emulsion please?
I am due to do some painting this winter.
If not, please can you advise on the Hungarian words to look out for?
Regards John
#4
Re: Painting Internal Walls
Limewash is mészfestés in Hungarian and you normally buy it in powder form which you mix with water:
Lime paint - Supercalco - Hydrated LimeSupercalco Carmeuse
Lime paint - Supercalco - Hydrated LimeSupercalco Carmeuse
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,094
Re: Painting Internal Walls
Fresco
and is described as
Bleteri = internal
Mesz = lime
Festék =paint
and can be found in OBI (at least)
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,094
Re: Painting Internal Walls
Limewash is mészfestés in Hungarian and you normally buy it in powder form which you mix with water:
Lime paint - Supercalco - Hydrated LimeSupercalco Carmeuse
Lime paint - Supercalco - Hydrated LimeSupercalco Carmeuse
Most people add a (small) amount of cooking oil or cement to the lime wash as it helps stop the wash dusting off when dry.
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2015
Location: Near the Black Forest and near Esztergom
Posts: 923
Re: Painting Internal Walls
We've used this lime based finishing too - but only in the garage, the cellar and my workroom. Don't know if it's a good idea in your bedroom or living room.
There we had put up a wallpaper based on glass fibre which is more robust than standard wallpaper re movements, rips etc in the walls of the old house.
There we had put up a wallpaper based on glass fibre which is more robust than standard wallpaper re movements, rips etc in the walls of the old house.
#8
Re: Painting Internal Walls
Most of the 'natives' use lime paste or putty for painting. It is found in the builders merchants (tuzep) and is otherwise used for mixing with sand and cement as a plasticiser when mixing up mortar or render
Most people add a (small) amount of cooking oil or cement to the lime wash as it helps stop the wash dusting off when dry.
Most people add a (small) amount of cooking oil or cement to the lime wash as it helps stop the wash dusting off when dry.
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2015
Location: Near the Black Forest and near Esztergom
Posts: 923
Re: Painting Internal Walls
Slabs of it about a quarter inch thick fall off the walls from time to time!
#10
Re: Painting Internal Walls
Yes, I had to underpin one wall of the same building when putting a concrete floor in the next section which is the main barn. No damp course, no foundations and built on sand! At first I was using ordinary mortar for re-pointing the brickwork but it is too rigid and cracks after a year or so, hence the need for substituting some of the cement with lime.
#11
Veszprém Megye
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Sevenoaks Kent UK and soon near Tapolca Hungary
Posts: 371
#12
Re: Painting Internal Walls
I can open the thread and then merge it with this one if you wish fidobsa.
Let me know.
#13
Re: Painting Internal Walls
Thanks BEVS but sometimes merged threads can be a bit confusing. Why are threads closed automatically? It seems like an unhelpful system.
#14
Re: Painting Internal Walls
Any closed thread like that can be re-opened upon request.