Learn how whitewash is made and how to use it. Whitewash is a cheap way to paint and it has beneficial aspects as well. Used in chicken coops and barns it help to prevent insects from laying their eggs and nesting in the coop or barn. It can help prevent decaying of wood due to its disinfecting qualities.
It can also be used to paint trees trunks, like fruit trees to prevent damage from frost and insects. Painted on in thick coats it can help insulate and act as a fire retardant. Painted on the outside of buildings it can help to reflect heat in the hot summer time. It usually stays white because it is water based so there are no oils to yellow. Back in the day folks would add brick dust or other stone dust to give it color. Indigo and bluing were sometimes added if a filler being used had a attendance to turn yellow.
You can add fillers or binders to make it thicker, some that are used are salt, sugar, flour and borax. Since whitewash is a water based paint it has a way of rubbing off so sometime folks add alum which helps to prevent this. Â Before you whitewash any surface it should be washed with vinegar. There are different recipes to make whitewash depending on what type of surface you will apply it too. The recipes are different for wood, masonry, concrete or brick and plaster.
MIXES – Depending on the size of your job you may need to adjust your recipe down for smaller amounts.
WHITEWASH MIX FOR GENERAL WOODWORK
NOTE: Â This mix has good adhesion and chalk resistance. Â It can
also stand covered for several days before using.
–   Make the lime paste by soaking 50 lbs. of hydrated lime in 6
gallons clean water – OR – slaking 25 lbs. of quicklime in 10
gallons of boiling water. Â Either combination will make about
8 gallons of paste.
–   Dissolve 15 lbs. of salt or 5 lbs. dry calcium chloride in 5
gallons of water.
–   Combine with lime paste and mix thoroughly.  Thin with fresh
water as necessary.
WHITEWASH MIX FOR MASONRY (BRICK, CONCRETE OR STONE)
NOTE: Mix only enough for a few hours  use.
–   Combine 25 lbs. hydrated lime with 25 lbs. white Portland
cement.
–   Add 8 gallons clean water and mix thoroughly.
–   Add a dollop of white casein glue such as Elmer’s brand glue
to the mixture.
–   While mixing, the wash will start out very thick, slowly
developing the consistency of heavy cream.
–   If desired, adding 1-2 lbs. of dry calcium chloride, mixed in
a small amount of water before using, to reduce chalking.
WHITEWASH MIX FOR PLASTER
–   Make the lime paste by soaking 50 lbs. of hydrated lime in 6
gallons clean water – OR – slaking 25 lbs. of quicklime in 10
gallons of boiling water. Â Either combination will make about
8 gallons of paste.
–   Soak 5 lbs. of casein in 2 gallons of water – approximately 2
hours or until thoroughly softened.
–   Dissolve 3 lbs. of trisodium phosphate in 1 gallon of water;
add to the lime solution, and allow the mixture to dissolve.
–   Allow both the lime paste and the casein to thoroughly cool.
–   Stir the casein solution into the lime paste.
–   Just before using, dissolve 3 pints of formaldehyde in gallons
of water; SLOWLY add this solution to the whitewash; stir
frequently; thin the mixture as desired.
-OR-
–   Make the lime paste by soaking 50 lbs. of hydrated lime in 6
gallons clean water – OR – slaking 25 lbs. of quicklime in 10
gallons of boiling water. Â Either combination will make about
8 gallons of paste.
–   Dissolve 6 lbs. of salt in 3 gallons of boiling water, and
allow to cool.
–   Add this solution to the lime paste.
–   Stir in 3 lbs. of white Portland cement
