LET'S TALK LIMEWASH
Let’s explore everything you need to know about limewash from understanding your surface to achieving that dream finish. We’re now at the final step in creating the look you’ve been imagining.
Before You Begin Limewashing — What to Know for a Flawless Finish
Limewash is unlike ordinary paint,it’s alive with texture, tone, and natural beauty. Before you begin, it’s important to understand the nature of the material and the conditions that bring out its best qualities. Thoughtful preparation will ensure your limewash finish looks authentic, elegant, and full of depth.
Understanding Your Surface Before You Begin
We’ve been chanting our mantra , “Apply the prep coat!” because it truly makes all the difference. Most modern surfaces don’t naturally absorb limewash; remember, limewash is a non-plastic paint, so it needs to breathe and bond with the surface beneath.
Understanding your wall and preparing it properly is the most important step in achieving a lasting, beautiful finish. If you’ve already applied your prep coat, you’re good to move on to the next stage. But if you’re still unsure about your surface, don’t worry , keep reading. It’s important to get this part right before you begin.
If your walls are made of clay, brick, or untreated mud, you’re in luck ,these surfaces are naturally breathable and can be limewashed directly without a prep coat.
Plasterboard , Plaster walls or Drywalls
Do not use a mist coat on any plaster surface. Instead, start with a matt, water-based primer. This provides the ideal foundation for limewash. We don’t recommend applying our Prep Coat directly onto raw plaster, as freshly plastered walls need time to cure properly before they can accept limewash. A water-based primer helps seal and stabilise the surface, ensuring an even, consistent base before you apply the Prep Coat.
Walls Already Painted with Emulsion Paint
This is one of the questions we get asked most often , and the answer is yes, you can limewash walls that have already been painted with emulsion. You’ll just need to do a little preparation before applying our Limewash.com paint.
If your walls are painted in a white matt emulsion and you don’t need to correct stains or marks, you can apply our Prep Coat straight away no need to strip or sand.
However, if your walls have a satin or sheen finish, or if they need colour correction or stain removal, start with a matt white water-based primer. Once the primer is dry, apply our Prep Coat, followed by your chosen limewash colour.
Our Prep Coat is not a primer, it’s a plastic-free, 100% VOC-free, water-based paint designed to create the ideal surface for limewash to bond beautifully and breathe naturally.
Limewash wood surface
At Limewash.com, we’ve made it simple to achieve a seamless look throughout your space. Our French Wood Paint is a mineral-based paint, completely plastic-free and 100% VOC-free, making it a healthier and more sustainable choice for your home. Specially formulated for wooden doors, skirting boards, trim, and other timber surfaces, it’s designed to match your limewash colour perfectly. Each shade in our French Wood Paint collection is colour-matched to our limewash range, so you can create a consistent, elegant finish without any mismatched tones. No more odd skirtings or trims when colour drenching or styling a feature wall, just effortless harmony from wall to wood. Explore our French Wood Paint collection and find the perfect match for your Limewash.com colours today.
If your walls are painted in a white matt emulsion and you don’t need to correct stains or marks, you can apply our Prep Coat straight away no need to strip or sand.
However, if your walls have a satin or sheen finish, or if they need colour correction or stain removal, start with a matt white water-based primer. Once the primer is dry, apply our Prep Coat, followed by your chosen limewash colour.
Our Prep Coat is not a primer, it’s a plastic-free, 100% VOC-free, water-based paint designed to create the ideal surface for limewash to bond beautifully and breathe naturally.
Radiators or Metal Surfaces
limeawash limeawash are not suitable for use on metal surfaces or radiators. Because our paints are plastic-free and made with natural chalk and mineral pigments, they rely on the surface being porous to absorb and bond properly.
clay, untreated mud or brick surfaces
If your walls are made from clay or untreated mud, you’re in luck, these surfaces are naturally breathable, allowing them to be limewashed directly without the need for a prep coat. Their natural texture and porosity make them the perfect foundation for limewash, allowing the paint to absorb beautifully and create that soft, authentic finish limewash is loved for. When it comes to brick, every wall has its own story and that’s where the beauty lies.
Before you begin, it’s important to understand the condition of your surface: Has the brick been previously painted? If so, take note of what kind of paint was used. Non-breathable coatings, like acrylic or gloss, will need to be prepare the brick wall for limewash with a Matt primer and then our prep coat. If your brickwork was originally built or finished with lime mortar, then you’re in the perfect position, limewash will bond seamlessly, enhancing the natural character of the wall while maintaining breathability. Limewash doesn’t mask imperfections ,it celebrates them. It softens, tones, and highlights the natural depth of the brick, creating a look that feels both timeless and alive. Every project is unique. If you’re unsure about your surface or how to prepare it, we’re always here to help. Get in touch with us ,we’ll walk you through the process, help you choose the right products, and make sure your limewash finish turns out beautifully.
From texture to layers and drying time, we’ll guide you through it all,so you can achieve that effortlessly beautiful limewash finish with confidence.
The patterns and texture
How Every Limewash Stroke Creates Character
Number of Limewash Coats
Wondering How Many Coats of Limewash You Need? Let’s Find Out
Drying Time
Patience is part of the process, limewash needs time to breathe, cure, and unfold its character.