Talk of The Villages Florida - How Many Gallons of Paint Does the White House Exterior Require?

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How Many Gallons of Paint Does the White House Exterior Require?

The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.
It had been practice from the mid-20th Century to repaint the White House every four years as part of the inaugural ceremonies.
However, the progressive build-up of paint had made each successive layer less effective and more difficult to maintain.
These days, the White House’s exterior is maintained with touch-ups as necessary.
The last major painting of the White House’s exterior was in 1989, after the existing 40-odd layers of paint had been stripped away.

Good to know if I am ever a contestant on Jeopardy.

Paintings in the White House.

American Art in the White House - White House Historical Association

I did not get to go into the White House on a tour back in 2015 because of all the paper work you need to do ahead of time.

But this is interesting about paintings in the White House and their history.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrs. Robinson (Post 1461372)

the white house requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.
It had been practice from the mid-20th century to repaint the white house every four years as part of the inaugural ceremonies.
However, the progressive build-up of paint had made each successive layer less effective and more difficult to maintain.
These days, the white house’s exterior is maintained with touch-ups as necessary.
The last major painting of the white house’s exterior was in 1989, after the existing 40-odd layers of paint had been stripped away.

it's a white-wash

Zero gallons of paint in white washed structures.

Wikipedia article sez:

"In Britain and Ireland, whitewash was used historically, for both interiors and exteriors, in workers' cottages, and still retains something of this association with rural poverty.

In the United States, a similar attitude is expressed in the old saying: "Too proud to whitewash and too poor to paint"."

.

The White House has had maintenance issues over time. In 1948 a leg of Margaret Truman's piano crashed through the floor of her sitting room. (I doubt she pounded the ivories as vigorously as Meade Lux Lewis Mead Lux Lewis plays "Honky Tonk Train Blues" - YouTube or Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis - Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (Steve Allen Show - 1957) - YouTube.) Turned out the whole place was about to cave in. They rebuilt the inside leaving the outside walls as original as possible. White House Reconstruction - Wikipedia

Quote:

Originally Posted by manaboutown (Post 1461558)

That's interesting, also.
I guess they didn't use such great trusses in those days!

You could have put Little Richard in the killer of the keys in your batch, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson (Post 1461372)

The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson (Post 1461603)

It's not a joke. It isn't funny but just happens to be interesting; otherwise you wouldn't have commented.

It is interesting. 570 gallons of paint, beyond my comprehension.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barefoot (Post 1461609)

It is interesting. 570 gallons of paint, beyond my comprehension.

:icon_wink: OK here you go!

570 Gallons = 2,157.684717 Liters

:ho:

Quote:

Originally Posted by manaboutown (Post 1461558)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson (Post 1461607)

That's interesting, also.
I guess they didn't use such great trusses in those days!

You could have put Little Richard in the killer of the keys in your batch, too.

Actually, at the time of the incident, there were two pianos in the room, a Steinway Baby Grand, and a roll around Spinet, alongside each other, with Margaret Truman playing one and a friend playing another. They were apparently pounding away on the keys when the floor gave away.

Regarding the strength of the trusses, it should be remembered that when the building was constructed there was no indoor electricity or plumbing. Over the decades plumbing was installed and modified, electrical wiring was installed, telephone lines were installed, and all of this work involved drilling holes through the trusses in a multitude of places. And, most telling of all, termites invaded the trusses.

I can recall hearing a radio program after the incident in which President Truman explained the need for major renovations to the White House. The program included playing recordings of the creaking of the beams that were made by attaching highly sensitive microphones to them.

Many people do not realize that the entire interior of the Mansion portion of the White House was removed, completely to the inside of the exterior walls, and rebuilt, with improved plumbing, electrical wiring, telephone wires, etc.

SIDELIGHT. It was during the renovation of the White House that the Trumans were living across the street at Blair House, and an assassination attempt was made on President Truman by two Puerto Rican Nationalists. During this incident, White House Police Officer Leslie Coffelt received a lethal gunshot wound from one of the attackers. Prior to dying, Officer Coffelt shot and killed his assailant as the attacker stood at the bottom of the steps leading up to the Blair House front door.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa (Post 1461715)

SIDELIGHT. It was during the renovation of the White House that the Trumans were living across the street at Blair House, and an assassination attempt was made on President Truman by two Puerto Rican Nationalists. During this incident, White House Police Officer Leslie Coffelt received a lethal gunshot wound from one of the attackers. Prior to dying, Officer Coffelt shot and killed his assailant as the attacker stood at the bottom of the steps leading up to the Blair House front door.

Fascinating story, a true life hero.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa (Post 1461715)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore (Post 1461717)

The White House is Mostly a Reconstruction of the Original
|
Smart News | Smithsonian

All good information regarding the White House.
Thank you, Carl.

Cold -- Those photos really tell a story.
I had no idea the renovations were so extensive, but in the 1950s -- what did I care!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa (Post 1461715)

Our go to retired secret service person shares interesting information once again.

Carl...you are someone who knows what he is talking about.