Cob Re: Earthen plasters

[Don O'Connor]

Eric Hart wrote:
> 
> At 08:32 AM 12/22/97 +0000,  Craig Hull <chull at POBoxes.com> wrote:
> >How do earthen plasters take paint? Aside from decorating
> >considerations, this could negate the problem of clay stains
> >on shirts.
>            I haven't tried painting an earthen plaster wall.  Generally if
> you plaster the interior you don't paint since the plaster is supposed to be
> a finish that doesn't need painted.  I avoid painting since it has to be
> eventually repainted and most paint is pretty noxious stuff.
> 
> Eric D. Hart
> Community Eco-design Network
> PO Box 6241
> Minneapolis, Minnesota  55406  USA
> erichart at mtn.org
> (612) 306-2326 (voicemail)
> http://www.cedn.orgFinally we have time to read all the email.

We are building in Straw and  plastering with earth her in Victoria in 
Australia. We  have the earthen plaster  in and outside of our building. 
 Our clay is very good and we are buying in river sand for the mix.  We 
intend to paint the interior walls with Alis paint - an environmentally 
great natural paint made from Kaolin clay, flour paste and water - Kaolin 
is a fine white clay which comes in many grades and is used in fine china 
production, we have had no trouble in finding it through pottery and clay 
specialists - the greater the amount you buy the cheaper it gets.  Micca 
can also be added to your paint to made it reflective - after it has 
dried on the wall you lightly buff it with a fine cloth. Fine sand can be 
added to your paint for texture or chopped straw, depending on the 
finished effect desired.  Paint colours can be achieved with clay 
pigments available in powder form or you may wish to go and dig your own. 
  When you have finished painting your wall, let your paint dry and keep 
the tablet it can be mashed to a powder and reconstituted for any touch 
up work down the track.  The length of durability on the wall for this 
type of paint is unknown to us, but we feel will be quite a while as it 
actually penetrates into the earthen plaster.
Happy Painting - if you learn any more we would love to hear about it.
Do you have any natural environmentally friendly water proofing ideas for 
earthen plaster exteriors for higher than average rainfall areas?
Sue and Don