IS IT JUST ME OR ARE THERE TOO MANY ECO LABELS NOW?
Haha, “the wall is in charge” sums it up. I keep wondering if these eco paints are actually made for houses older than the label itself. Like, do they even test them on century-old plaster, or just fresh drywall? I tried a “natural lime wash” once and ended up with streaks and a weird smell that lingered for days. Is it just marketing, or is there some secret trick to getting these products to actually work on ancient walls? Maybe my house just wants to stay vintage…
I keep wondering if these eco paints are actually made for houses older than the label itself. Like, do they even test them on century-old plaster, or just fresh drywall?
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I think there’s more to these eco paints than just marketing hype. Yeah, the labels are a jungle now (don’t get me started on how many “green” stamps one can fit on a can), but a lot of these natural lime washes and clay paints have been around for centuries—long before drywall was even invented. The issue is, they’re kinda finicky with prep and application. Old plaster especially needs to be clean and sometimes rehydrated a bit before you slap anything new on it.
That weird smell you mentioned is probably the lime curing—it does fade, but yeah, it lingers longer than modern stuff. I had a similar thing happen when I tried casein paint on my 1920s hallway. Looked patchy at first, but after a few days it evened out and the smell disappeared.
Not saying every eco label is legit (some are just cashing in), but there’s definitely a knack to using the real ones, especially on old walls. Sometimes feels like you need a degree in restoration just to paint your living room...
Sometimes feels like you need a degree in restoration just to paint your living room...
Totally get that feeling. The prep work for old plaster is a pain, especially if it’s been painted over with who-knows-what through the decades. I’ve had eco paints go on beautifully in one room and then just flake right off in another, even when both walls looked similar. Sometimes I think the issue is less about the paint and more about what’s already on the wall—old oil-based stuff or weird sealers can mess things up, no matter how “green” the new paint is.
Curious if anyone’s tried those mineral silicate paints on really old plaster? I keep hearing they’re supposed to bond super well, but I haven’t risked it yet. Kind of worried about compatibility with whatever mystery layers are already there...
MINERAL PAINTS ON OLD PLASTER—WORTH THE RISK?
You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by all the eco labels and options. I’ve been down the rabbit hole with mineral silicate paints too. They’re supposed to be super breathable and bond well, but honestly, if there’s old gloss or some mystery sealer underneath, it can still go sideways. Sometimes I think half the battle is just figuring out what’s already on your walls... It’s frustrating, but you’re definitely not the only one second-guessing every step.
Sometimes I think half the battle is just figuring out what’s already on your walls...
That’s exactly it. I’ve stripped back enough layers in my place to find everything from horsehair plaster to some weird 70s vinyl paint. Here’s what I do: scrape a small patch, see if water beads up or soaks in, then try a mineral paint sample. If it flakes, I know there’s something blocking it. Ever tried washing down with soda crystals first? Sometimes that helps, sometimes not. Curious—has anyone actually had mineral paint last more than a couple years over old unknown finishes?
