Waterproofing : The first step before painting a surface is to check If there is any seepage  or fungus. Follow the following steps. Fungus is developed mainly because of the bricks used for the walls are acidic at this stage if the problem is severe remove the cement by chiseling, so bricks are visible, wash the same with tamarind water ( boil tamarind in water) to alkaline the surface - plaster the walls with cement adding water proofing compounds available in the market.

Wall Preparation : Preparation of the surface or making the base is the most important step before painting. There are three steps you should follow to make a perfect base( Note : step 2 & 3 are not required if you are painting your walls with safedi / lime and safeda)

1. Use a sand paper to clean the surface from all dust and unevenness.

2.Use cement primer to fill up the holes and the pores. 1 or 2 coats are sufficient. Use the sand paper once again.

3. plaster the walls with a mix of chalk and copal varnish or synthetic  enamel. Apply the mixture to the surface and you have a smooth surface absolutely ready for the top or the finishing coat. Before painting slight sanding is suggested.

Lime/Safedi : In our country called choona /safedi white in colour  abundantly available on all paints & hardware shops. Best quality is available in lump form. Dissolve in water, keep over night, filter through muslin cloth, maintaining brushable consistency.

Modes of application : Conventional brush or coochi.
If one does not like original white colors add little of ultramarine blue (neel) to give bluish tint. Now add 1/2 cake of sunlight soap to give smooth brushability.
Bone Glue (chapra Gum) boiled to smooth consistency & filtered to promote adhesion. Add small quality of DDT powder to prevent mosquitoes, lizards etc.
Clean the surface (wall), remove all loose scales, dust etc. Apply two-three coats as desired used for exterior & interior.
Note : Not to be used for any other surface.
Lime Colors : Pigmented lime with different colors is available. Pigments are added to lime in fine particles and are water soluble. Exterior & interior walls can be coated by brush with desired colors. To get durable coating add small quality of PNA adhesive like FEVICOL, MOVICOL, VAMICOL etc.

Safeda : This is oil based zinc white paint, available in thick paste form. Used with synthetic varnish as filler for walls, wood etc.
As now a days ready filler, like primer surface grey, pink wood primmer etc are available. Safeda is not popular.