White Cement — The Complete Guide
White cement is a specialized variety of Portland cement with a brilliant white color, made from raw materials with very low iron and manganese content. It is primarily used for decorative and architectural applications.
Key Properties
- Brilliant white color — unlike grey Portland cement
- High reflectivity — brightens surfaces
- Same strength as regular OPC when used correctly
- IS 8042 certified for quality assurance
Common Applications
- Wall Putty: Base coat before painting for smooth, bright finish
- Tile Joint Filling: White grout for ceramic and vitrified tiles
- Decorative Textures: Textured walls, designer finishes
- Architectural Features: Columns, arches, facades, ornamental work
- Swimming Pools: Waterproof white finish
- Colored Concrete: Base for pigmented concrete (adding color to white gives brighter results than grey)
How to Use White Cement for Wall Putty
- Clean the wall surface and remove loose particles
- Dampen the wall with water
- Mix white cement with 30-40% water and polymer additive
- Apply first coat (1mm thick) and let it dry for 6-8 hours
- Apply second coat and allow 24 hours drying
- Sand lightly with fine sandpaper before painting
Cost Consideration
White cement costs approximately 2-2.5x more than regular grey cement. Use it only where the white/bright finish is needed — structural work should still use regular OPC or PPC.