In summary, limewash should not be sealed as it is a naturally breathable material. Using sealant can lead to issues with trapped water, damp, mould and condensation. Limewash is an excellent choice for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms but should not be used in areas exposed to high moisture levels.
Romabio Mineral Shield is a perfect companion product to any of the Romabio Lime or Masonry Paints for the exterior. To protect the beauty of a Classico Limewash application, it is highly recommended to apply Mineral Shield.
Sealer or No Sealer? Limewash Paint leaves a velvety suede- like finish and provides a beautiful low-maintenance color. It cures over time and can be touched up easily with leftover paint. We recommend leaving it natural and not sealing it unless you prefer a protective durable matte sealed finish.
NOTE: Allow the final coat of lime paint finish to dry at least 2 days before applying the sealer on top. For areas that are more exposed to occasional water splashes, such as soaking tub surrounds and backsplash walls, you may additionally use our Wax on top of the Sealer, for extra protection, or opt for Wax-sealer.
However, if you don't want it to wash off, or if you're using it inside, you'll definitely need to apply a sealant. One way to make limewash and lime paint more waterproof is with a very small amount of linseed oil — no more than 1%.
Because limewash is nearly 10x darker when it is wet, it's important to test the color and let it completely dry. The color also changes depending on the number of coats applied and porosity of the surface being painted. That said, Romabio's Classico Limewash is a one coat finish that looks breathtaking!
Rubbing off: Limewash can sometimes rub off if applied incorrectly or if the surface wasn't properly prepared. Limitations: Using limewash with no additives limits its use to porous materials. It is possible to use natural additives such as casein to expand the range of surfaces limewash can be used on.
Limewash paint does not need to be sealed, as it is a naturally breathable material. Sealing it can lead to issues with trapped water, damp, mould, and condensation. Limewash is an excellent choice for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.
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.
The best way to clean lime plaster and limewash is to keep it from getting dirty in the first place. Stains, marks and dirt cannot be easily washed off, rather these foreign substances can be gently wiped with a dry cloth and then apply limewash over them.
Erosion: Limewashing will erode over time, meaning it will need to be retouched every five to seven years. Not Applicable for Painted Brick: Since Limewash penetrates the brick, it can't do so if the surface has already been painted.
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.
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.
As it dries, the applied limewash gets lighter and much more opaque. The slower limewash cures, the more durable the result will be.
Limewash creates surfaces that are mottled and matte with a chalky texture something like suede. It lends a depth and luminosity to flat walls. Above: Limewash creates a textured, shadowy effect.
It can be hard to get the limewash to blend with water if you're mixing by hand. It costs more than paint. It isn't as long-lasting as whitewash – while it won't flake like paint, it still needs touch-ups regularly, and usually has to be redone every 5-7 years.
It penetrates the surface of your wall, creating a mottled matte appearance with variegated colors (resembling the look of a plastered wall). This DIY version has the same effect, but involves thinning paint by mixing it with water, then applying it to the wall in circular motions using a cloth instead of a brush.
Limewash is easy to apply with a large masonry brush, and it's opaque so you can control the depth of color with the number of layers of paint you choose to apply. In addition, limewash will fade over time, so it needs to be re-applied, but it won't chip and flake like paint.
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.
Ideally leave each coat to cure for 24 hours. For each further coat, follow the same procedure as the first coat. Protect external limewash from the weather if necessary.
stop repairs showing through the limewash finish
We recommend 2 coats of a good quality water based drywall sealer primer.
Limewash is a very durable finish and can last for many years with proper care. It is best to reapply every three to five years to maintain the original look. To clean limewash, simply use a soft brush and mild soap. You can also pressure wash it if necessary.
How long does Limewash last? Limewash and lime coatings can last many decades, but realistically if you have a limewash finish you might want to reapply every five to seven years for the best and most durable finish.
This mixture can be brushed on exterior walls just like paint, but unlike paint, limewash doesn't form a solid film when it dries. Instead, it leaves behind a breathable layer that allows moisture to evaporate rather than accumulate within the wall.
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.