Applying paints to your house gives a sense of completion, newness, freshness and increases the aesthetics of your house. There are many types of paint available in the market, such as emulsion paint, distemper paint, cement paint, latex paint, enamel paint, etc. Distemper paint is an old water based paint, which is used to paint interior walls. Here we have given brief information on distemper paint, its properties and uses.
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Distemper paint is water based paint, which is made up of water, chalk and pigments. Animal glue or resins are used in binding the materials. It is an early form of white wash. It is of course better than whitewash but inferior to oil paints and emulsion paints. It gives an elegant, smooth, attractive and slightly uneven look.
Uses of Distemper Paint
Distemper paint is mostly applied only on the walls and ceiling surface. It also proves to be ideal for temporary interior paint works. Distemper paint is generally applied to interior walls, as it is not waterproof. For regions where there is very less rainfall, it may be used to paint exterior walls.
Properties of Distemper Paint
- Distemper paint has the ability to breathe and hence allows underlying moisture to escape from the surface and away from the masonry unlike oil paints. It is one of the best paint which sets well on the new freshly traditional plastered wall. Other paints like an oil-based paint can react with the high lime content of traditional plaster. It causes the paint to go viscous and can easily react with alkalis to form a soapy mess.
- Distemper paints are decorative paint and are easy to apply. If you are planning to paint your house on your own, then follow the “DIY” instructions on the manufacturer’s brochures. You do not need of skilled labours for its application.
- Distemper paints can be applied using a paint brush, a roller and also you can use a spray. But before you use it, you have to read first manufacturer’s brochures as various manufacturers’ recommends different method of application.
- Distemper paints are not ready to use. You have to add thinner (water) before the application. If you don’t add thinner in the paint, there are chances of appearing various paint defects such as brush marks defect, sagging defect, on finished paint walls.
- Distemper paint can be easily cleaned, by a mild detergent solution. If after the paint job, there are spots on the floor, then it can be easily cleaned by a wet cloth. Distempered walls can be scuffed and scratched easily. Therefore, it is not recommended for high traffic areas and mostly used where appearance is not more important.
- The life of distemper paint is 3 to 5 years. It is not flexible and also not waterproof paint.
- Distemper paints give eye soothing matte finish. It has low VOC content.
- The coverage of distemper paint is 4.5 to 5 sq. mt./liter approximately for two coats. It also depends on factors such as method and condition of application and surface roughness and porosity.
- They are less expensive than other paints and are available in low to medium cost range in the market. They are available 1000+ in shades in 1 Kg, 2 Kg, 5kg, 10 Kg, 20 Kg packs.
Most of the manufacturers make 2 to 3 categories of interior or exterior paints under different “trade name” or “brand name”. This is again the function of price. Though all brands are technically same and recommended for interior areas, then why are there 2 or 3 different brands with different prices. In our opinion, there is minor variation in material chemistry, which alters its prices. Then how does it affect its quality? In our opinion one with low grade or lower price have less life (i.e you might have to repaint early), may take time in drying, and are not easily washable as compared to higher grade.
There are grades of distemper paint available for interior surface in different ranges and under different brands. Some of the typical products of few companies are listed below.
SR. NO. | MANUFACTURES’S NAME | PRODUCT NAME | RECOMMENDED AREA | GRADE |
| 01. | Asian Paints | Tractor Acrylic Distemper | Interior | High |
| Tractor Synthetic Distemper | Interior | High | ||
| Tractor Uno Acrylic Distemper | Interior | Medium | ||
| Professional Acrylic Distemper | Interior | Low | ||
| 02. | Berger Paints | Bison Acrylic Distemper | Interior | High |
| Jadoo Acrylic Distemper Paint | Interior | Low | ||
| 03. | Dulux Paints | Maxilite | Interior | Low |
| 04. | Kansai Narolac Paints | Narolac Beauty Premium Acrylic Distemper | Interior | High |
| 05. | Jenson & Nicholson Paints | Premium Acrylic Wall Coating | Interior | High |
| Jensolin Acrylic Distemper | Interior | Low | ||
| 06. | Shalimar Paints | Premium Acrylic Distemper | Interior | High |
| Mela Acrylic Distemper | Interior | Low |