Limewash is an aged mixture of salt, hydrated (also called slaked) lime, mineral based pigments and water. It can be applied to a variety of porous surfaces like brick, stucco, and raw wood. Today, it is most commonly applied in a white shade to brick homes to create a distressed, old-world appearance.
Limewash is anti-microbial and anti-fungal and can be tinted any colors (though whites and off-whites are the most popular). While painted brick deteriorates over time since moisture trapped in the brick cannot escape, limewashed brick will be able to breathe and stay strong. Breathing is the natural process of moisture entering and escaping porous substances like brick
Limewash has also been developed into an interior paint for walls and ceilings called limewash paint or just lime paint. These paints are colored with natural pigments; from bold colors to earthy neutrals, each color has a lot of character. Lime paint has a suede finish with natural color variation to give your space depth and movement.
Unlike regular, latex-based paints, limewash and lime paints are completely VOC free. Limewash is often shipped in the form of a lime putty, which makes it easy to ship large quantities. Then you can dilute the putty to make your lime wash. Lime paint is typically shipped ready-to-use in cans just like latex paint.
In these images, you see limewash on the brick homes and lime paint in the interior shots.
If you want more information about lime paint, take a look at some of the questions below for quick answers or to be directed to our other articles!
How does limewash compare to whitewash?
Limewash is a finish designed for raw wood or unsealed masonry and has been around for centuries. While a simple limewash just consists of water, salt, and hydrated lime, a more complex version is an aged lime putty mixed with natural pigments that the user dilutes with water to create a usable wash. As it dries, it can be distressed by spraying on water to remove some of the finish.
Whitewash is a finishing technique for raw wood, masonry, and even previously painted surfaces. The user chooses a white or off-white paint color and dilutes it with water. Especially when used on brick, the user can remove excess paint with a rag to allow some of the natural brick to show through.
What is the difference between lime paint and lime wash?
Lime paint is typically designed for interior use and will come in a can just like any other interior latex paint. Lime wash is an exterior product that comes concentrated in a paste form.
While the formulation is similar, there are some differences that make each suitable for different applications.
Do you have a review of Romabio?
Yes! You can read about my experience with Romabio here.
I have a lot of questions about limewash paint.
Here are some FAQs. Click to be rerouted to our FAQ article!
I'm interested in buying lime paint for my house. Can I get information about colors and brands?
Our Guide to Lime Paint starts with a bit of history and goes into a discussion of colors and brand reviews! Here’s a excerpt for you:
Most lime paints are colored with mineral pigments. This gives the colors a lot of character. An airy blue feels like clouds. An olive green brings your space the same life rushing through forests. Earthy reds ground the space and bring an atmosphere of peace.
You’ll find at least one shade of lime paint for every color in the rainbow, plus paints in off-whites, browns, and greys. Lime paint manufacturers focus on creating a limited number of truly beautiful shades, each shade containing a symphony of color. I think this makes finding a paint color easier than if I went to a Home Depot to see thousands of color cards, one hardly distinguishable from another.
While you may consider these products practically the same, they are incredibly different and give incredibly different end results. Consider the pros and cons of each before deciding which is best for your project.
| Romabio | Giani | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| VOC Count | 0 | 85g/gal | |
| Allows Brick to Breathe | yes | no | |
| Color Choices | yes (7) | no | |
| Comes with Everything You Need | no | yes | |
| Indoor or Outdoor Use | yes | no (indoor only) | |
| Distressed Look Possible | yes | yes | |
| Full Coverage Possible? | yes | no (not in the nature of whitewash as a product) |
Limewash is a finish designed for raw wood or unsealed masonry and has been around for centuries. While a simple limewash just consists of water, salt, and hydrated lime, a more complex version is an aged lime putty mixed with natural pigments that the user dilutes with water to create a usable wash. As it dries, it can be distressed by spraying on water to remove some of the finish.
Limewash has incredible properties. It’s antimicrobial, antifungal, and an insecticide. It allows the surface it’s applied on to breathe naturally, which preserves the strength of that surface. It is equally applicable in indoor and outdoor settings and only looks better over time.
Limewash is also completely VOC free.
Whitewash is a finishing technique for raw wood, masonry, and even previously painted surfaces. The user chooses a white or off-white paint color and dilutes it with water. Especially when used on brick, the user can remove excess paint with a rag to allow some of the natural brick to show through
Whitewash is just a mixture of white paint and water. It is better for brick than a solid coat of paint, but it doesn’t allow the brick to breathe naturally like limewash. Whitewash is not designed to hold up over time and will need to be reapplied in outdoor settings.
The VOC count of whitewash will depend on the type of paint used in the process.
Romabio’s limewash is crafted in Italy. It has all the fantastic qualities of limewash listed above, and it comes in seven different color choices.
While the product is mainly marketed to the exterior of brick homes, it can be used on any natural brick or stone, inside or outside.
The product is shipped in a paste form that needs to be diluted before application.
The whitewash kit by Giani comes with everything you need to complete your project including paint, lint-free cloths, drop cloths, etc. It is an interior product marketed for fireplaces.
The paint is low VOC and specifically designed for brick. The paint must be diluted with water before use.
The Romabio limewash paste was about the same texture as softened butter. I expected it to be more difficult to work with (something along the lines of solid ice cream), but it was very easy to scoop out of the container.
It does take a little effort to get it thoroughly mixed with water. I would recommend using a metal mixing tool attached to a drill as opposed to a wooden stir stick.
As I applied it, the product looked very streaky, but the brushstrokes were much milder when the product dried.
Once the product was mostly dry, I started to distress it. I definitely recommend waiting as long as possible to start distressing.
Because the wash was not completely dry, even the drips from the water I sprayed on it removed a lot of product. I ended up using a lint-free cloth to blend the finish and get it looking the way I wanted.
The Giani paint was about the same texture as sour cream. When I was shaking the can, I thought it sounded really thin, but it wasn’t that much thinner than the Romabio. In fact, when diluted, both products had about the same consistency.
Again, it did take a little effort to get the product fully blended with the water. The company claims you can do it with just a stir stick, but I ended up having to really work the paint into the water with my paint brush.
Initially, the product gave a very full coverage. I did find it difficult to get the distressed look I was going for, but I think it would have been easier on real brick, which is much more porous. (I was using a faux brick board.)
| Limewash paint is an incredible finish that’s been around for centuries. In a culture that values affordability and efficiency more than sustainability, quality, and beauty, limewash has fallen out of the spotlight.
If you run down to your local hardware store and ask for an interior wall paint, you’ll be given a wide selection of latex-based paints, but you may never be given the option of a lime-based paint. I’m here to answer your questions and give you all the information you need to decide if a lime-based paint is right for your home. |
Limewash paint is an incredible finish that’s been around for centuries. In a culture that values affordability and efficiency more than sustainability, quality, and beauty, limewash has fallen out of the spotlight.
If you run down to your local hardware store and ask for an interior wall paint, you’ll be given a wide selection of latex-based paints, but you may never be given the option of a lime-based paint. I’m here to answer your questions and give you all the information you need to decide if a lime-based paint is right for your home.
Lime paint is hydrated lime (also known as slaked lime) mixed with water, natural pigments, and sometimes other ingredients like salt. That mixture is then aged and thinned to the perfect painting consistency. It is sold in cans much like a typical latex paint.
Limewash paint is naturally VOC free, and it’s eco friendly. It’s antimicrobial and antifungal, which makes it suitable for interior and exterior use. It is brush-applied and has subtle color variations that give the paint subtle movement and natural color variation. It typically has a suede finish.
Limewash paints can be used on a variety of surfaces. Each formulation is a little different so be sure to check with your paint’s manufacturer.
As a general rule, lime paints can be used on any porous masonry or concrete. They can be used over previously painted surfaces as long as you use a primer first. You can also use limewash paint for small crafts though you will probably need a primer.
Limewash paints were designed hundreds of years ago before the advent of latex paints and plastics. They are made for use on raw wood and unsealed masonry. Specialty primers have been developed since then that allow the paint to adhere to latex paint, plastic, etc.
For exterior use, many companies only recommend to use their paints on exterior masonry. Materials like siding are not made in a way that the paint can adhere to well.
Depending on the surface you’re applying to, you may need to start with a specialty lime paint primer. If not, just be sure the area is clean and dry.
Apply lime paint with a natural bristle block brush. This allows you to cover large surfaces quickly and gives the paint its characteristic movement and suede finish. You will probably need two to three coats.
When applying the paint, you use a crows-foot pattern to give the paint natural movement when it dries. If you’re painting a large surface, be sure to feather out the edges so that you don’t get a harsh line where the paint has dried.
If you’ve bought a limewash paint for brick, you can distress it before it is fully dry. Again, look to your manufacturer for specific instructions, but usually you can spray on water, which removes some of the limewash.
In the can, limewash paint has the same lifespan as a latex paint. It separates, so if it’s been sitting around for a while, you may need to take it to a store to have it spun.
Once you’ve applied it, limewash is designed to last for years and years. Unlike latex paint, it won’t chip or peel over time. It does, however, begin to take on a more worn look. The aging process just adds more life to your lime wash walls.
Lime wash paint is not easy to clean. Unlike latex paints which can be scrubbed with soap and other cleaners, lime paint has a more absorbent patina, which means liquid stains are absorbed, and the finish can be damaged by scrubbing.
However, since lime pain is antimicrobial, it is ok to leave uncleaned. Once the stains or dirt really start to look bad, you can paint over them with another coat of the lime wash.
You can buy limewash paint online from a variety of sellers. The most important thing to do will be to find a company that ships to your area and has a paint color you love!
I recommend starting your search with Color Atelier, J.H. Wall Paints, and Portola Paints and Glazes.
I highly recommend you consider lime paint for your next painting project. These paints are environmentally friendly and add depth to your space. They truly transform the spaces you use them in.
From limewashed brick to walls, these beautiful paints will give character to your space. If you have questions or have an experience with limewash paints you want to share, leave me a comment below!
The days of ugly red brick are over. It's 2024, and chances are if you're reading this then you're probably ready to do away with that old fireplace brick that's making your house feel dated. Luckily, it's easier (and cheaper!) than ever to transform your fireplace, instantly making it feel fresh and modern.
Here's our list of the top 5 brick paint products of 2024:
Check out our post on Romabio Limewash for a more in depth review!
Have you had a positive experience with a different brick painting product? Let us know if we've missed something in the comments below!
If you have a natural brick fireplace making your living room feel a bit drab, you’ve probably considered a variety of techniques to brighten it up: painting the fireplace a solid color or using a method that allows some of the natural brick to show through like limewash, whitewash, or German schmear. The results can be so similar that choosing between them becomes difficult. This article breaks down the differences and which is the best for your space.
Distinctive Feature: soft matte finish, old-world feel, good for the brick and allows it to breathe naturally, full coverage or distressed
Many folks are worried about brightening up their fireplace and thus losing the natural brick feel that a fireplace has. Paint, even whitewashing, does cover that natural look.
Lime wash is a fantastic product that calcifies to your brick (unlike the resin-drying process in traditional paints). This creates a soft, natural patina that preserves the natural look of brick in your home while brightening your fireplace significantly.
If you’re not familiar with limewash, it has some amazing properties that make it especially nice for brick. You can check out this article to learn about limewash and its uses.
The most popular limewash brand right now is Romabio, which is sold in a thick paste that needs to be diluted before application. After dilution, it is applied with a brush just like any other paint. You can let it dry as is, which is what you see in this picture, or you can distress it to reveal some of the natural brick underneath.
Distinctive Feature: thinning paint with water allows the natural brick to show through while brightening the space
Whitewashed brick is fairly easy to identify. All the brick is covered in a thin layer of translucent white or grey paint that allows you to see the brick underneath.
Whitewashing brick is very quickly going out of style. Most whitewashed fireplaces look half done. In this particular picture, the fireplace started out with some pretty grey brick, and the painter did a really good job covering everything evenly without leaving streaks.
Lots of whitewash jobs don’t turn out this good. Not many brick colors are well suited to being covered in this manner and it’s really easy to leave streaks that make it obvious the brick was painted. You can check out this article for a more thorough breakdown of the differences between lime wash and whitewash.
German schmear, limewash, and even a fully painted fireplace all look intentional and complete. Most whitewashed fireplaces just have the look of a poorly done DIY project that is half-finished and waiting for some final touch.
That being said, not all whitewashed fireplaces look bad, the one in the picture being a good example. Just be sure to take the project seriously and have good inspiration for your final look.
Distinctive Feature: uses mortar instead of paint to preserve the natural masonry look, allows for varying levels of distressing to create the look you want
German Schmear is a really fun technique that create a country cottage look. It involves mixing a cement and spreading it over the brick and mortar. Typically, all the mortar will be fully covered and the brick only partially covered.
If you’re looking to fully cover the brick with no distressing, limewash will be a much better choice than German Schmear, if you’re hoping to leave a lot of the brick exposed, German Schmear will be a better choice than limewash, which typically looks best with just a little distressing here and there.
Distinctive Feature: bold solid color, tones down the natural feel of the brick for a more modern and less rustic look
While both limewash and paint can deliver the same solid color, they have dramatically different textures. That difference creates a completely unique feel in a space.
Paint, especially when compared directly to lime wash, has an artificial quality. It also feels more intentional, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
German schmear and limewash, on the other hand, feel less intentional and more like a natural part of the home. Someone who hasn’t seen the fireplace before could easily walk in and and assume that the fireplace has always looked like that. That assumption will almost never happen with a painted fireplace.
Limewash and German schmear both add to the natural look of the brick while brightening it. Limewash is a bit softer than the German schmear and is typically better suited to full coverage looks than heavily distressed looks; German schmear is better suited to heavily distressed looks than full coverage looks.
Whitewashing is a good option if you really like the current color of your brick. It is highly translucent, which means it is prone to streaking and looking half-finished. However, it can produce fantastic results, especially with a pretty starting brick color.
A solid paint job looks unnatural, but it does give your room a planned-out look, which is especially nice in more modern spaces.
What are you going to do in your space? Leave your comments or questions below!
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