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I need to lime wash the two exterior gable end walls of my 1770s home. They were last done two years ago and they have suffered some flaking.
I discussed this with a local 'expert' who suggested that rather than using traditional lime wash I should be using a clay based paint. I'm familiar with clay based interior paint but not exterior. Can anyone give advice on its use and how do I make it?
Clay wears away when it rains (unless you fire it into pottery!) So the only times you can use it on the outside is when it is a very dry region (Arizona desert?) or there are very large roof overhangs or you're prepared to resurface it regularly. Are there existing historical buildings with exterior clay in the neighbourhood where you want to use it?
There are lots of books and other sources about making and using clay for building and decoration. Your local 'expert' should presumably be able to tell you.
So the underlying surface that you're trying to protect is lime render? What was its surface like before the limewash? Had it been previously painted with anything else? Advice pages like these ..