What is this gunk!?

[potato80]

I stripped this wall, and I'm now sanding it.

But what is this green gunk that is sticking to my sander? Sticks to my fingers to, when I touch it (although washes off)?

Thanks in advance

 

[JohnD]

I think I know.

Was your house built before 1940?

Distemper.

Can be washed off with hot water but not with cold.

Has a distinctive unpleasant smell because it is made from whiting and colour bound together with a glue made from boiled up hooves from dead horses.

 

[potato80]

Not noticed the smell (it's a tiny tiny patch), but having read your reply and googled it, I think you're right. I think it is pre-40's

Thanks; great info!

 

[Tigercubrider]

If you have a steamer ,you can steam the surface and sort of shave it off using a 4/6" blade scraper
That's what I am doing on a ceiling at the moment.
Once you get a bit of steam going, it's quite quick

 

[potato80]

If you have a steamer ,you can steam the surface and sort of shave it off using a 4/6" blade scraper
That's what I am doing on a ceiling at the moment.
Once you get a bit of steam going, it's quite quick

Perfect, thanks