Farrow and Ball Soft Distemper

Farrow & Ball Soft Distemper is a very soft, powdery finish for interior plasterwork. Its blend of natural resin and minerals is designed to be easily removed, allowing detail to be preserved on intricate mouldings.

Due to the traditional nature of this finish, Farrow & Ball Soft Distemper will not accept subsequent layers of modern paints. Soft Distemper is made in the traditional manner using fine pigments and will inevitably have some small variations in colour. The porosity and moisture content of the surface it is applied to will affect the colour and can lead to changes in tone.

Soft Distemper is not washable or wipeable. Please note that very matt finish of this paint will mean that some colours will become marked or scuffed when washed. For areas of high wear consider using Farrow and Ball Modern Emulsion.

For best results, make sure your surface, tools and product are clean before you begin. Flaking or peeling may occur if painting over weak paint layers.

Cleaning Prior to Painting

1. For most surfaces it is recommended to use a dilute Sugar Soap solution following the manufacturers instructions
2. It is not recommended using solvent-based cleaning products or strong alkaline solutions as these can impact adhesion
3. After cleaning, wipe the surface with a damp cloth and allow to dry

New Surfaces

1. Newly lime plastered surfaces should be fully carbonated and cured for 4-5 weeks prior to application.

Previously Distempered Surfaces

1. Wash off the existing distemper thoroughly, paying particular attention to the crevices of delicate mouldings and allow to dry

Previously Painted Surfaces (Modern Finishes)

1. It is not suitable for surfaces painted with modern finishes such as emulsion, gloss or eggshell, these need to be removed prior to painting
2. Plaster ceilings which have salt problems will stain and blister subsequent paint coatings, using Soft Distemper will allow the ceiling to breathe and enable the problem to be monitored

Structurally Damaged Surfaces

1. Cracking or loose plaster must be repaired or filled with an appropriate filler. Farrow & Ball do not recommend the use of modern fillers on lime based substrates as they will trap moisture and are too hard, leading to cracking and uneven porosity when painting

Always perform a test area before starting any project to judge the suitability, effectiveness and finish of the product. As supplied Soft Distemper requires an addition of at least 10% water. For ceilings of varying porosity a further dilution may be required to provide good flow and minimise variations in colour and tone.

Do not apply at temperatures below 10°C or in excessive heat above 30°C.

• It is recommended to use a good quality fine-tipped synthetic brush
• Stir thoroughly before use
• Apply the paint in a vertical direction then spread the paint out evenly in a horizontal direction
• On application of the final coat lay off the paint in a single direction to ensure that any brush marks and brush effects (sometimes visible in certain lighting conditions) are minimised
• Drying time 2 hours

Please Note: Due to the traditional nature of this finish, Farrow & Ball Soft Distemper will not accept subsequent layers of modern paints. Soft Distemper is made in the traditional manner using fine pigments and will inevitably have some small variations in colour. The porosity and moisture content of the surface it is applied to will affect the colour and can lead to changes in tone.

The drying and recoat times provided are based on applying paint in normal conditions - drying times may be longer in cooler and/or higher humidity environments. Darker colours may take longer to dry.