Haint Blue

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 06-02-2008, 07:39 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Dave R's Avatar
 
Trade: Home renovation and repair
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 153

Haint Blue


I have a customer who has an old house, built in 1906. The house has a front porch and the customer wants the ceiling painted " Haint Blue". Evidently this was a popular color for porch ceilings in the South East coastal areas around Charleston SC, and Savannah Ga. during the 1800s. According to local legends, the blue colar is supposed to keep ghost away.
None of the paint suppliers around here have heard of it and therfore don't know what to mix. Have any of you ever heard of this color or have been asked to paint a porch ceiling this color? From the research I have done online, it appears to be a light, almost sky blue. I just wanted to find out if there was maybe an official "Haint Blue" color before I just randomly pick a shade of blue.

Dave R is offline  
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Old 06-02-2008, 07:55 PM   #2
Handle It!
 
MALCO.New.York's Avatar
 
Trade: Everything The Union Guys Do Not Want To Do
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY ~ Haverford, PA
Posts: 9,364

Re: Haint Blue


Have a look here:

http://www.squidoo.com/haintblue
__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE
MALCO.New.York is offline  
Old 06-02-2008, 08:11 PM   #3
Registered User
 
Dave R's Avatar
 
Trade: Home renovation and repair
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 153

Re: Haint Blue


Thanks MALCO,I checked out that site and sent the owner an email. Maybe they can help.
Dave R is offline  
Old 06-02-2008, 08:35 PM   #4
Drywall & Painting Pro
 
Sir Mixalot's Avatar
 
Trade: Hang, Finish, Texture, Paint, and Repair.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Melbourne Beach,Florida
Posts: 4,914

Re: Haint Blue


Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave R View Post
. According to local legends, the blue color is supposed to keep ghost away.
I was told by a southern old timer years ago. That the blue porch ceilings kept mud dobbers and wasps from buliding their nests on them. The blue color fools them into thinking it's the sky. (In my best southern draw voice) Quote:They won't build their nest's there, if they think it's the sky.
Sir Mixalot is offline  
Old 06-02-2008, 08:48 PM   #5
Registered User
 
Dave R's Avatar
 
Trade: Home renovation and repair
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 153

Re: Haint Blue


Yep, I heard that too. In the early days the paint had lime mixed in it. The lime probably had more to do with bugs staying away. Evidently, ghost were called "Haints" back then. The blue paint was to represent water which they were not able to cross. Some of the older more superstious people also painted door and window trim and shutters this color in an attempt to keep the Haints away.
Dave R is offline  
Old 06-02-2008, 10:54 PM   #6
Professional Remodeler
 
firemike's Avatar
 
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 2,289

Re: Haint Blue


My grandfather used to paint the ceilings/undersides of the barns, machine sheds and canopies a certain "sky" blue color to keep the birds from building nests in the buildings. From what I remember, it worked for the most part. Didn't know about the ghost or wasp thing though - very interesting.
__________________
-Mike-
Falcon Contracting
Residential - Commercial
firemike is offline  
Old 06-02-2008, 11:03 PM   #7
DGR,IABD
 
mdshunk's Avatar
 
Trade: Electrical; Commercial and Residential Service
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 9,680

Re: Haint Blue


I think most every old porch ceiling in my area is sky blue. I never knew quite why that was. I always thought it was to make the porch seem bigger. Now I know it was to keep away ghosts.
mdshunk is offline  


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Blue Book Pineapple Online Leads Services 6 03-25-2008 12:28 PM
White over dark blue painted trim Will Painting & Finish Work 10 09-07-2007 11:56 PM
Removing old blue tape. Teetorbilt Painting & Finish Work 8 07-31-2007 07:42 PM
blue tape painterofeveryt Painting & Finish Work 27 02-16-2007 01:09 AM
Us painters get screwed on Blue Prints Dorman Painting Painting & Finish Work 3 12-21-2006 04:13 PM

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Privacy Badge
I am a professional contractor
I am a DIY Homeowner
ContractorTalk.com is for
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS ONLY!

At ContractorTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.

Redirecing in 10 seconds
No Thanks
terms of service

Already Have an Account?