Cob: RE: cleaning earth plaster

[Sarah Kopp]

Lime based paints are NOT washable - the paint is not at all durable and
will scrub off the wall together with the dirt.  Many modern quality latex
paints are highly vapor-permeable, and are widely available in US hardware
stores.  The addition of linseed oil to any non-oil-based suspension will
not only inhibit vapor-permeability to some extent, but may also inhibit
dispersion of pigment if the suspension and oil are not compatable.

Sarah,
Tsfat Israel

>Patrick,
>  I think, but, am no expert that a lime paint or lime wash would be
>better than latex or other vapor barrier causing paints.  I guess you
>are suggesting just covering a given area, such as the kitchen only.
>I've seen data that if the walls can breath they will regulate the
>humdity inside better and prevent molds from forming.
>
>Darel
>
>Patrick Newberry wrote:
>>
>> my brother in law and I have both  have painted sections of cob with
>> regular laytex paint.
>> He did a much larger area than me, but both of us has resonable results.
>>
>> I don't have a lot of data yet on the results but on the patch that I
>> painted outside, somewhat exposed to weather,
>> it has  lasted so far for about 3 years and the wall around it has been
>> errording, but the patch is  still doing fine.
>>
>> I'm going to experiment with this in the kitchen are near the sink and
>> stove. I don't think that enough area will
>> be covered as to cause moisture barrier problems. I should have some
>> results by spring to let you know.
>>
>