Limewash is a type of whitewash made with calcium hydroxide and water. It's been used for centuries as both an interior and exterior paint finish. It's popular in Europe and becoming more common in the United States. Limewash gives a beautiful customized look to traditional brick.
Limewash is absorbed into the surface (unlike paint) which means it works best on stucco, stone, and brick. Generally available in a neutral palette, limewash occurs most often in its natural off-white state. It's environmentally friendly and its high pH reduces pests and organism growth.
Slow-Drying Process: Limewashing coats take a considerable amount of time to dry. Erosion: Limewashing will erode over time, meaning it will need to be retouched every five to seven years.
The alkalinity deters wood-boring beetles and helps sterilise walls. Furthermore, limewash is inexpensive and solvent-free. The disadvantages are that much care is needed for the best results, matching coloured limewash batches is difficult, and limewashing is less successful in very fast-drying conditions.
Limewash brick is a great choice for a vintage home look on new bricks. On the other hand, whitewashing bricks is recommended for those searching for a solution that is more permanent. Because whitewashing is mixed with paint, it can be used on previously painted brick.
Limewash costs anywhere from $25 to $100 per gallon, which is similar to your standard paint. However, if you mix it yourself, you can save on costs. Lime itself only costs around $5 to $15 for a 50-pound bag. Since all you need to do is add water, you can really save money and spend even less on the paint.
Brick is made to last, durable, and low maintenance. That said, limewash is a great way to update your home's exterior. Limewash has been around for years, but is now becoming more and more popular and rightfully so.
One of the biggest cons of limewash is that it can erode over time, especially if exposed to harsh weather conditions. This means it may require more frequent maintenance than other paint or finishes. You may need to reapply external limewash every two to seven years to keep your walls looking their best.
Silicate paints work in the same way as a limewash, in that they soak into the substrate. They don't create a film over the surface of the substrate but instead chemically bond to it in a process called silification.
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.
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.
Each coat should be allowed to dry before the next coat is applied. 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.
Prep by cleaning the brick or stone and cover any areas that will not be painted. Dampen the surface with water allowing Classico Limewash to slowly absorb without drying too quickly. The wall should be wet, but not dripping. Exterior: Use a typical garden hose spray nozzle or a pressure washer.
Limewash will change the color of the brick. Thin limewash can be mixed so that the brick's color is only minimally changed, with much of the brick color showing through. Thicker limewash can be mixed or more coats applied for a more uniform color consistency, much like house paint.
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.
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.
Limewash pigments come in a variety of organic colors. The colors we use most often are earthy neutrals like white, taupe, grey and charcoal. Of course, when looking to make a statement, colors like emerald, cobalt, black, terracotta or blush are perfect choice.
As it dries, the applied limewash gets lighter and much more opaque. The slower limewash cures, the more durable the result will be.
There are also other natural benefits to limewash paint: It's breathable, nontoxic, and eco-friendly, and the high pH level means that it's bacteria- and mold-resistant. Also, because limewash paint contains no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), its application is practically odorless.
While labeling this age-old painting method as a 'trend' may seem unfitting, it is important to note that limewashed kitchens are far from a fleeting phase. Though they are currently popular, designers forecast this painted kitchen idea will stand the test of time for many seasons to come.
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.
Romabio Classico Limewash is a low maintenance product, mainly because it is naturally mold resistant. However, as we all know, algae can grow on anything. So as far as cleaning it, you need to be careful when using chemicals or a high powered pressure washer. No need to use bleach.
Unlike whitewash, which only creates a translucent finish, limewash can create a translucent or opaque finish that allows the texture of the underlying surface to show through.
Whether you're using it indoors on walls or ceilings, a mineral primer is necessary for the limewash to adhere to non-absorbent surfaces. “A more traditional surface, such as plaster and absorbent masonry surfaces, will not require a mineral primer application,” Dunn says.