How do you make old-fashioned whitewash?
by Jean
+7
I just priced this stuff at Sherwin Williams and I was amazed. With five outbuildings -all wood - to paint in the spring I can't afford to buy this from retailers. I know you can make it from lime (maybe lye?) and something else but cannot find an old-timer around that knows the secret. All help much appreciated!
4 answers
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I would try thinning out the latex paint with water until the desired consistancy. Try it first on a piece of scrap wood and see if this is the look your are trying to achieve.
![Janet Pizaro]()
Janet Pizaro
on Nov 07, 2015
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Sorry, I can't help you with how to make the whitewash but I can let you in on a money-saving little *secret* I recently learned about Sherwin Williams. In September, I went in to purchase a few gallons of their WoodScapes solid stain. I think it's normally $50/gallon but they were having a sale that brought the price down to 34.99 (plus I had a coupon that I got out of the Pottery Barn catalogs I get in the mail--$15.00 off a purchase of $60 or more). Anyway, here's the secret I learned when I went back 2 days later for 2 more gallons. The clerk on duty that day started rummaging around, way on the back of the shelf and brought out 2 gallons with big green stickers that had "2015" on them. He told me that if the store didn't sell the gallons with the green stickers by the end of 2015, their store would be penalized by corporate. In order to move these certain gallons, the cost was deeply discounted. I was concerned the stain was *old* and he assured me that wasn't the case at all, they were simply overstock. I ended up paying less than $9.00 per gallon for stain that was regularly $50!! I can't guarantee the Sherwin Williams in your area will have any overstock of the product you want but it sure would not hurt to ask. Also, if you or any of your friends and relatives get the Pottery Barn catalogs in the mail, they often have Sherwin WIlliams' coupons stuck inside offering $15 off a purchase of $60 or more and Sherwin Williams does not limit you to one coupon.
![Shari]()
Shari
on Nov 07, 2015
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White Wash Mix in a large bucket, a five gallon paint bucket is ideal: 3 large coffee cans of hydrated lime (about 12 cups) 1 pound or 1 small coffee can of salt (about 4 cups) 2 gallons of water When you mix this together, mix a little lime/salt, then a little water, then a little lime, etc. It you just dump it all together it’s like stirring boat anchor. You should let the mixture sit over night. http://newlifeonahomestead.com/whitewash-paint/
![Sharyn Diaz]()
Sharyn Diaz
on Nov 07, 2015
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Not quite sure how true it is but I read using the lime will make the finish come off.
![Janet Pizaro]()
Janet Pizaro
on Nov 07, 2015
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