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Distemper forms and preparation

Short answer

Distemper is a water-based paint with chalk or lime base and glue binder, used on interior plaster. It is commercially supplied as dry powder or oil-bound paste. To prepare, mix dry powder with water to a smooth paste, then dilute and strain; for oil-bound paste, stir and add water (1:1) to a creamy consistency then strain.

What are distempers? In what form are they commercially available? How do you prepare the commercial product in the field for painting?

What is distemper

Distemper is a water-based paint with chalk (or lime) as the base, glue or casein as the binder, pigment and water. It is used on interior plastered walls and ceilings.

Commercial forms

  1. Dry distemper: Supplied as powder in packs.
  2. Oil-bound distemper: Supplied as a paste (thick liquid) in tins, with oil as the binder.

Preparation in the field

  • Dry distemper: Mix the powder with the quantity of clean water stated by the maker (about 1 part powder to 1 part hot or cold water) and stir it to a thick, smooth paste. Then dilute it and stir until it reaches brushing consistency. Strain it and use it warm, within the same day.
  • Oil-bound distemper: Stir the paste thoroughly, add water slowly (1 : 1 or as per the maker's instructions) to get a creamy mixture, and strain it through a cloth before use.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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