From there, both van Os and Davis suggest using a four to six-inch block or stain brush for defining the perfect texture. It's also important to note that you can't apply limewash paint with a roller or spray.
Apply Classico Limewash with the Romabio Large Masonry Brush or a standard paint sprayer. (Rollers are not recommended). One coat is needed to create an antique limewash effect. The paint is a very flat finish, so you can touch up at any time.
A pump sprayer works great for this. Apply just enough water to the brick surface so it is wet but not dripping. It is most typical to find limewash to be applied with a large masonry brush. Even many professional installers prefer this method.
Apply with a brush only, working in areas no larger than 1m² at a time. Spread Limewash thinly using horizontal, vertical, and diagonal strokes before working the paint in vigorously using a circular motion. If Limewash is applied too thickly this application may result in cracking or crazing.
Although many people love limewash paint, it does create a mottled look that is hard to control and may not be for everyone. Some projects may require several coats of paint to achieve the desired effect. In addition, the high pH means the paint can irritate skin and must be handled carefully.
We recommend 24 hours between coats. It is very important to rewet the previous coat before applying the next coat. At least 4 coats will be needed to cover new work.
Each has their positives and negatives, but when it comes to limewash, we prefer to use an Airless paint sprayer. This is because the other paint sprayers are primarily made for oil-based paints or stains. Water-based paints, like limewash, can clog HVLP paint sprayers.
Limewash should be applied in several thin coats using a long-haired or masonry paintbrush that creates feathered strokes. Never use a roller. Kalklitir of Sweden's “How to Apply Lime Color to a Wall” video details the application process and shows how the paint soaks in and dries.
Often when applying Lime Paint the surface texture may be rough, such as that of a brick, stone or stucco. A good brush for Lime Paint should be made of a high quality, durable natural bristle. What would be the most distinctive difference is the size.
Salt was often added to exterior limewash to make it more durable and dry slower, producing a better finish. Salt probably came from local salt works. Limewash could also be colored if the opaque white lime color was not desirable.
If you apply Classico Limewash paint that day and it dries for 3 – 4 hours, normal rainstorms should not affect your paint finish. In fact, Classico Limewash paint is an authentic slaked-lime paint that will continue to get harder over time as it gets wet and dries.
Make a Statement With a More Textured Finish
A common question we get asked is, “can you limewash textured walls?” The answer is yes! Limewash can be used on smooth or textured walls.
A thin coat curing slowly in the presence of moisture will form a more crystalline, hard-wearing surface compared to a chalky finish if a thick coat dries out too quickly.
As it dries, the applied limewash gets lighter and much more opaque. The slower limewash cures, the more durable the result will be.
Finished limewash will gradually erode, which can produce a very attractive weathered look, but to retain the original opaque coverage, reapply the limewash every five to seven years. There is no need to remove existing limewash in order to apply renewal coats.
Lime Wash is traditionally applied with a big brush, but can also be ragged on. Do not use a roller. It will look like you've painted squares.
Not only does limewash paint add charm galore, but it isn't hard to do. “It sounds more difficult than it is—it's really like adult finger painting,” Weichel says with a laugh.
It should not rub off when applied well. If you do find it rubs off, it's probably due to bad preparation with your ordinary lime, or perhaps that it has been applied too thickly. Also, without adequate dampening down before limewashing can mean the limewash dries out too fast.
Limewash applies quite easily—definitely faster (and more fun!) than regular paint. We finished the first coat on this entire wall in 30 minutes. When starting on a new wall, use your brush to carefully cut in along the edge and smooth outwards.
When properly applied, limewash can withstand rain and protect the surface it has been applied to. However, limewash will weather and patina over time, creating a beautiful aged look. So while it won't necessarily wash off in the rain, it may eventually wear away over many years.
Stir Lime Wash thoroughly before and during use. Check color on a small inconspicuous area before proceeding with entire job. Lime Wash should not be applied below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or in direct sun or extreme heat. Complete the painting of all adjacent surfaces, e.g. joinery, prior to application.
And though limewash is bacteria- and mold-resistant, thanks to the high pH level of the lime, Helene van Os, brand manager for Pure and Original, says, "If you're going to use limewash paint in a humid or high-trafficked area, make sure you protect it with a sealer, as lime is porous and more vulnerable to dirt and ...
For Wash Off Effects, the Limewash application is generally a 1 coat process, but a 2nd or 3rd coat may be applied for decorative effects. Allow newly applied limewash to set 10-40 minutes depending on temperature and sun.