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Disclosure to Promote the Right To Information

Whereas the Parliament of India has set out to provide a practical regime of right to
information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities,
in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the
timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.

“जान1 का अ+धकार, जी1 का अ+धकार” “प0रा1 को छोड न' 5 तरफ”

Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan Jawaharlal Nehru
“The Right to Information, The Right to Live” “Step Out From the Old to the New”

IS 6278 (1971): Code of Practice for Whitewashing and

Colour-washing [CED 5: Flooring, Wall Finishing and
Roofing]

“!ान $ एक न' भारत का +नम-ण”

Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
“Invent a New India Using Knowledge”

“!ान एक ऐसा खजाना > जो कभी च0राया नहB जा सकता ह”

है”
ह
Bhartṛhari—Nītiśatakam
“Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen”
 IS : ‘6278 - 1197!
( Reaffirmed 2001 )
Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
WHITEWASHING AND COLOUR-WASHING
(Si%th Reprint DECEhlRER 1997)

UllC 693.61:69.X1.3

@ Copyright 1972

BURBAU OF INDI’AN STANDARDS

MAtNAIL BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW.DELHI 110002
Cr2 Junwry lC4R
 IS :6278 - 1971

Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
WHITEWASHING AND COLOUR-WASHING

FIooricg and Plastering Sectional Committee, P,DC 5

Chairman Representing
SRRI 0. P. bflTTAL Directorate General of Posts and Telcgrap1.u
Department, New Delhi

DE D. BANERJEE National Rubber Manufacturers Ltd, Calcutta

DR M. L. BRAUM& ( Akmatc )
SHRI A. K. BNATTA~ZIARYYA National Test House, Calcutta
LALA G. C. DAS ( Alternate )
SHRI S. K. BOSE Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
MAJ D. D. SH~RMA ( Alternate )
SHRI DINESH A. CHOESHI Arcoy Industries, Ahmadabed
SHRI RASIXLAL A. CEIOKSHI ( Altcrnofe )
DEPUTY CHIEF MECHANIC_~L Railway Board, Ministry of Railways
ENOINEER, ICF, MADRAS
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( ARCH ),
RESEARCH DESIGNS AND
STANDARDS ORQANIZATIOI,
Luck-NOW ( Alternate)
DII~ECTOR Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute, Nasik
RESEARCH OFFICER, MATERIAL
‘ TESTING DIVISION ( Afternate )
SHRT P. K. DOCTOR Concrete Association of India,‘Bombay
SHRI L. T. GEHXNI Bhor Industries Ltd, Bombay
SRRI RAMESH D. PATEL ( Alternate)
SHEI N. HARILAL Oxychloride Flooring Products Ltd, Bombay
DR PRANLAL PATEL ( AItcrnnte )
1 SHRI S. C. KAPOOX Modern Tiles 8s Marble, New Delhi
SHRI A.C. KAPOOR (dkde)
SHRI M. R. MALYA Burmah-Shell Oil Storage & Distributing Co of
India Ltd, Bombay
IBR-B. S. BASSI ( Alternate )
DR MOHAN Rnr Cent;~or~;~Iding Research Institute (CSIR ),

SHRI R. K. JAIN ( Alternate )

SHRI M. V. MURUGAPPAN Coromandel Prodorite Pvt Ltd, Madras
SHRI R. SRINIVASAN ( Altnnatc )

( Contind on pug8 2 )

BUREA-U OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI I10002
IS : 6278 - 1971

Members Representing
SHRI H. M. NANDKEOLYAR India Linoleums Ltd, 24 Parganas, West Bengal
DR A. V. R. RAO National Buildings Organization, New Delhi
SHRI 0. P. RATRA ( Altcmatc )
SRRI G. C. SHARMA Indian Institute of Architects, Bombay
SHRI N. V. SHASTRI Institution of Engineers ( India ), Calcutta
SUPERINT~~NDINO_ ENQINEER
_ . Public__ Works
. Department, Government of Tamil
( PLANNING AND DESIGN CIRCLE ) Nadu
DEPUTY CHIEF ENQINEER
( BUILDINQ ) ( Ahrnate )
SUPERINTENDINQ SURVEYOR OF Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
WORKS ( NDZ )
SUKVEYOR OF WORKS I,
OFFICP: OF THE SSW
Sa+cr J F;o;;Js~“cra=r” )
Bureau of Public Enterprises ( Ministry of Finance )
S&r A. P. PARACER ( Alternate )
SHRI D. AJITHA SIM~A, Director General, IS1 ( Ex-o&cio Member )
Director ( Civ Engg )
Secretary
SHRI L. RAMACHANDRA RAO
Deputy Director ( Civ Engg ), ISI
 iS:6278-1971

lndian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
WHITEWASHING AND COLOUR-WASHING

0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian Standard was adopted by the Indian Standards
Institution on 27 October 1971, after the draft finalized by the Flooring
and Plastering Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil
Engineering Division Council.

0.2 Whitewashing and colour-washing of surfaces of buildings is necessary

on both hygienic and aesthetic reasons. In order to obtain a clean, neat
and uniform finish, it is necessary to adopt standard method for both
preparation of the surfaces to receive whitewash or colour-wash and for
application of whitewash or colour-wash. This standard gives the details
of preparatory treatment and the mode of application of whitewash and
colour-wash.

0.3 In the formulation of this standard due weightage has been given to
international co-ordination among the standards and practices prevailing
in different countries in addition to relating it to the practices in the field
in this country.

0.4 For the purpose of,deciding whether a particular requirement of this

standard is complied with, the final value, observed Or calculated,
expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accord-
ance with IS : 2-1960.. The number of significant places retained in the
rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in
this standard.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard lays down the method of preparation of surfaces and
application of whitewash and colour-wash over concrete, masonry and
plaster surfaces in buildings.
-
*Rules ior rounding off numerical values ( raised ).

3
IS : 627JI - 1971

2. MATERIALS

2.1 Lime - Lime used for whitewashing shall be freshly burnt class‘C’
lime ( fat lime ) and white in colour conforming to IS : 712- 1964*.

2.2 Water - Water shall be clear, free from all organic and suspended
impurit,es. Potable water is most suitable for the purpose.

2.3 Gum or Glue

2.4 Sodium Chloride - shall conform to either IS : 253-1964$ or

Grade II of IS : 797-1967:.

2.5 Ultramarine Blue or Indigo - shall conform to IS : 55-1950s.

2.6 Pigments

2.6.1 Yellow and Red-Ochre - The ochres shall conform to IS : 47-19501/.

The solid Iump shall be crushed to powder.
2.6.2 BLhe Vitriol - Fresh crystals of hydrous copper sulphate ( blue
vitriol ) shall conform to IS : 261-19667 and shall be grounded to fine
powder.

3. SCAFFOLDING
3.1 Wherever scaffolding is necessary, it shall be erected in such a way
that as far as possible no part of scaffolding shall rest against the surface
to be white or colour-washed. A properly secured and well tied suspended
platform ( JHOOLA ) may also be used for whitewashing and colour-
washing. Where ladders are used, pieces of old gunny bags shall be
tied at top and bottom to prevent scratches to the walls and floors. For
white-washing of ceilings, proper stage scaffolding may be erected, where
necessary.

4. PREPARATION OF SURFACES

4.1 New Surface - The surface shall be thoroughly cleaned of all dirt,
dust, mortar drops and other foreign matter before whitewash is to be
applied.

4.2 Old Surface

4.2.1Swfaces, Where the Same Colour-Wash ti to be Repeated - Old surfaces
already whitewashed or colour-washed shall be broomed to remove all

*Specification for building limes ( wised 1. ( Since revised ).

TSpecification for ediblerommon salt ( revised ). ( Since revised ).
SSpecification for common salt for chemical industries (Jirt;rstreuision) .
§Specification for ultramarine blue for paints. ( Since revised ).
l\Specitication for ochre for paints. [ Since superseded by IS : 44-1969 Specification
for iron oxide pigments for paints (first rwision ) 1.
DSpecification for copper sulphate (Jirst revision ).
4
 IS : 6278 - 1971

dust and .dirt. All loose scales of lime wash and other foreign matter shall
also be removed. Where heavy scaling has taken place the entire surface
shall be scraped clean. This will also apply, where a colour wash has to
be given on an already whitewashed surface.
4.2.2 Surfaces, Where Dz’fferent Colour- Wash is to be Applied - Old colour-
-wash on surfaces shall be entirely removed before whitewash or different
colour-wash is applied. The surface shall be prepared by brushing or by
scraping or by other suitable means to produce clean surface and shall be
broomed to remove dust, dirt, etc.
4.2.3 Old Surfaces Sfioiled by Smoke Soot - The surface shall be scraped
with steel wire-brushes or steel scrapers. The surface shall then be broomed
to remove all dust and dirt and shall be washed with clean water.
4.2.4 Oil and Grease Spots - Oil and grease spots shall be removed by a
suitable chemical and smooth surfaces shall be rubbed with wire-brushes.
4.2.5 All unsound portions of the surface plaster shall be removed to
full depth of plaster in rectangular patches and plastered again after raking
the masonry joints properly. Such portions shall be wetted and allowed
to dry. They shall then be given one coat of whitewash.
4.2.5.1 All unnecessary nails shall be removed; the hbles and cracks
filled with lime putty or plaster of Paris to make the surface smooth.
4.2.6 When whitewashing old surfaces, if the slrface was found to be
infected with mould growth, it shall be treated in accordance with 4.2.6.1.
4.2.6.1 Any growth of moulds moss shall be removed by scraping
with steel scraper and ammoniacal copper solution consisting of 15 g of
copper carbonate dissolved in 60 ml of liquor ammonia in 500 ml water,
shall be applied to the surface and allowed to dry thoroughly before
applying whitewash or colour-wash. An alternative to ammoniacal copper
solution treatment may consist of 2 percent sodium pentachlorophenate
solution in water.
4.2.7 Local areas affected by efflorescence, shall be initially treated in
accordance with the method described in C-3 of IS : 2395 ( Part I ) - 1966*
and then applied with whitewash or colourlwash.

5. PREPARATION OF WHITEWASH AND COLOUR-WASH

5.1 Preparation of Whitewash- Whitewash shall be prepared from fat
lime coriforming to IS : 712 - 1964t. The lime shall be slaked at site and
*Code of practice for painting concrete, masonry and plaster surfaces: Part I Opera-
tions and workmanship.
tspecification for building limes ( reuised ).

5
IS : 6278 - 1971

shall be mixed and stirred with about five litres of water for 1 kg of
unslaked lime to make a thin cream. This shall be allowed toe stand- for a
period of 24 hours and this shall be screened through a clean coarse
cloth. Add 1 kg of gum dissolved in hot water to each m3 of lime
cream. About~ l-3 kg of sodium chloride dissolved in hot water may be
added for every 10 kg of lime. Small quantity of ultra-marine blue (up to
3 g per kg of lime) shall also be added to the last two coats of whitewash
solution and the whole solution shall be stirred thoroughly before use.
NOTE 1 - The addition of sodium chloride ( common salt ) to lime-wash helps in
quick carbonation of calcium hydroxide making the coating hard and rub-resistant.

NOTE 2 - For exterior work the whitewash or colour-wash that will adhere well
to stone and masonry surfaces may also be prepared by scattering one part by weight
of tallow in small lumps over 12 parts of quick lime, slaking it with only just sufficient
water to form a thick paste, stirring occasionally to assist in dispersing the tallow, and
allowing it to stand until cool. The resultant paste shall then be let down to thin
wash, which is strained through a coarse cloth. If tallow is not obtainable, then
linseed oil or caster-oil about 10 percent by weight of dry lime may be used. If the
oil dots not sponify and incorporate with lime, it should be heated up until the oil
disappears. The oil forms with lime an insoluble soap, which when once dry, will not
wash off with heavy rain. In case of colour-wash, mineral colours, such as oxide of
iron, red and yellow colours, .based on chromium oxide and carbon black not affected
by lime may be added. Use of linseed oil is likely to give slight yellow tinge to
whitewash.

5.2 Preparation of Colour-Wash - Sufficient quantity of colour-wash

enough for the complete job shall be prepared in one operation to avoid
any difference in shade. The basic whitewash solution shall be prepared
in accordance with 5.1. Mineral colours not affected by lime shall be
added to the whitewash solution as prepared in 5.1.

6. APPLICATION OF WHITEWASH AND COLOUR-WASH

6.1 Application of Whitewash -Whitewash shall be applied with
‘MOONJ’ brush or other brush to the specified number of coats. The
operation for each coat shall consist of a stroke of the brush given from the
top downwards, another from the bottom upwards~ over the first stroke,
and similarly one stroke horizontally from the right and another from the
left-before it dries. Each coat shall be allowed to dry before the next coat
is applied. No portion of the surface shall be left out initially to be patched
up later on. The brush shall be dipped in whitewash pressed lightly against
the wall of the container, and then applied by lightly pressing against the
surface with full swing of hand.
6.1.1 The whitewashing on ceiling should be done prior to that on
walls.
6.L.2 For new work, minimum two coats shall be applied so that the
surface presents a smooth Andyuniform finish through which the plaster

6
 IS:6278-1971

does not show. The finished dry surface shall not show any srgns of
cracking and peeling and the whitewash shall not come off readily on the
hand, when rubbed.
6.1.3 For old work, after the surface has been prepared as in 4.2, a
coat of whitewash shall be applied over the patches and repairs. Then
one, or two or more coats of whitewash shall be applied over the entire
surface. The whitewashed surface shall present a uniform finish through
which the plaster patches do not show.
6.2 Application of Colour-Wash - The colour-wash shall be applied
in accordance with the procedure given in 6.1. For colour-washing on
new works, after the surface has been prepared as in 4.1, the first primary
coat shall be of whitewash and the subsequent coats ( minimum two )
shall be of colour-wash; and the entire surface shall present a smooth and
uniform finish. To start with 0.1 rn? of the prepared surface shall be
colour-washed with the first coat of whitewash and subsequent coats of
colour-wash solution in full number of coats and the shade so obtained
shall be examined before the entire work of colour-washing is taken up
in hand. It shall be noted that small areas of colour-wash will appear
lighter in shade than when the same shades are applied to large surfaces.
6.2.1 For colour-washing an old work, after the surface has been
prepared as in 4.2, a coat of colour-wash shall be applied for the patches
and repairs. Then the specified number of coats of colour-wash shall
be applied over the entire surface. The colour-wash surface shall present
a uniform colour shade. No primary coat is needed for old surface bear-
ing colour of the same shade.
6.2.2 On surfaces requiring a change of colour, after the surface has
been prepared as in 4.2.2, two coats of whitewash shall be applied before
application of specified number ( minimum two ) of coats of colour-wash
of the new shade.

7. PROTECTIVE MEASURES
7.1 Surfaces of doors, windows, floors, articles of furniture, etc, and such
other parts of the building not to be whitewashed or colour-washed shall
be protected from being splashed upon. Such surfaces shall be cleaned
of whitewash or colour-wash splashes, if any.