A receipt for staining brick buildings from August 17 1822 ,Ambridge
Pennsylvania

Take one gallon of strong lime water, 3 lbs of Spanish brown and 3 pints
of newly slaked lime; put the Spanish brown and lime together and add to
them as much of the lime water as may be sufficient to make them wet
enough to grind, then grind them as fine as possible and afterwards add
the remainder of the lime water; you must the take one pint of this
composition and add to it three pints of new milk from the cow and it is
fit for use.

This mixture must be put on with a Brush, as you would any kind of
paint, and lain on plentifully so as to wet the Brick thoroughly and
after it has dries it will be necessary to go over the work again, the
second  time. You must then be particular in having the composition
stirred all the time while putting it on.

The lime water is prepared thus: Take strong lime and put it into a
vessel and put water to it and stir it well so that the water may soak
out all the strength of the Lime and after it has well settled and
becomes clear Drain off the water and continue to renew it as often as
you diminish the quantity.

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"Gray, Tom" wrote:
>
> My c1903 colonial revival in Little Rock appears to have the red oxide wash.
> It is fairly common on brick houses from the 1900-1920 period here.  I need
> info.
>
> R/O Coated Cuz