What is an easy way to make a white-wash paint?

Question

See, I've got all these gourds and the frost has killed the vine and I need them protected from the sun...

Answer 1

Sounds like you do not need very much (as compared to whitewashing a barn or 10 miles of horse fence).  You might try any of the following recipes:

Simple Whitewash:

1/2 pound slaked (hydrated) lime

1 1/2 to 2 ounces table salt

Mix with enough clean clean water to form a thick paste.

Sticky Whitewash:

1/2 pound slaked (hydrated) lime

3 to 4 ounces table salt

Mix with enough clean clean water to form a thick paste and allow to set overnight.  Add 1 small bottle (4 ounces) of casein glue (Elmer's will work just fine).  Mix well and add water to thin if necessary.

Granny's Sure-Fire Whitewash:

Add 1/2 pound of quicklime to 1/2 gallon cold water.  Let stand overnight or at least 12 hours.  Pour off any excess water.

Mix 2 ounces of table salt with 1 teaspoon pickling Alum and 3 tablespoons of light unsulfured molasses into 2 ounces of hot water.  Stir well and add to lime solution.

Answer 2

Slaked lime and sour milk is how it used to be made. A commercial product would probably be as cheap.