Limewash Paint Brush

These brushes (Italian: Plafone) were developed specifically for the application of lime wash and lime paint. Unlike any other brush, their large size and long soft bristles allows the brush to load up a large amount of paint with minimized dripping for a faster and cleaner application.

These long lasting brushes are made in Italy with 100% high quality hog bristles

Non-toxic garden pot paint. Discover natural limewash paint from Bauwerk Colour. Over 400 unique eco friendly paint colours. Use a wide masonry brush to apply the thinned, wash-like Limewash to your brick surface using random strokes in all directions. Apply as much Limewash as desired to achieve your desired whitewash effect. If you apply too much Limewash, use a wet brush to remove excess Limewash.

The bristles are glued to the basin with epoxy for maximum durability and bristle retention.

The wooden handles have a comfortable soft, non-slip rubber grip for long day use.

The clip on the handle allows you to hang the brush on the paint bucket while not in use.

For information on brush care and lime paint go to the 'links' or 'information' page on this site.

Professional grade large lime paint brushes

Ideal for lime paint applications for medium to large areas of over smooth or coarse surfaces.

Also great for applying slurries, wetting substrate and applying lime water to masonry repairs and restoration.

Plafone mod. #101 Dimensions: 6' 5/8 x 2' 3/4 Bristle length: 3' 3/4 Price: $ 59.40

Plafone mod. #102 Dimensions: 6' 1/4 x 2' 1/2 Bristle length: 3' 1/2 Price: $ 52.40

Plafone mod. #103 Dimensions: 6' x 2' Bristle length: 3' Price: $ 42.10

Professional grade small lime paint brushes

These sizes are ideal for smaller or irregular surfaces, tight spots and for cutting in around windows and trim.

Plafoncino mod. #201 Dimentions: 5' 1/2 x 1' 5/8 Bristle length: 3' Price: $ 30.90

Plafoncino mod. #202 Dimentions: 4' x 1' 1/4 Bristle length: 2' 1/2 Price: $ 20.30

Plafoncino mod. #203 Dimentions: 2' 3/4 x 1' 1/4 Bristle length: 2' 1/2 Price: $ 17.05

Professional lime paint rollers

These Rollers are ideal for interior lime paint application over lightly textured or smooth surfaces Turbo dismount mac download.

The thick pile will load up lime paint for a faster application with reduced dripping.

Essential for lime paint application on ceilings and walls or for removing brush lines on semi-smooth to smooth surfaces.

Roller for medium to smooth surfaces

Canoscan 8800f driver download mac. 9' heavy duty 5/16 dia. roller with 13/16' ribbed nylon pile sleeve

Roller and sleeve $ 27.40

Replacement roller $ 23.60

Roller for smooth surfaces

9' heavy duty 5/16 dia. handle with 1/4' microfiber roller

Roller and sleeve: $ 17.40

Replacement roller $ 13.60

Visit the links and Information pages on this site for more information, recipes, articles and studies.

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Lime Patina and Limewash Recipes

This how-to covers the basic principles for preparing and applying limewash, along with recipes for the Primer coat, Wash coat and Patina coat.

Choosing Lime

This article contains two recipes: one using dry lime powder, and one utilizing wet lime putty. Dry lime powder refers to our High Calcium Hydrated Lime. This is a high quality, high purity dry lime powder. It is not the same as agricultural lime from a garden center. Lime Putty refers to wet lime in a bucket. This includes both pit lime from a factory and Hydrated Lime powder that has been slaked by the consumer.

Hydrated Lime should be a bright white powder, not more than two years old. We carry the purest, highest purity food grade High Calcium Hydrated Lime.

Lime Putty should be stored in a sealed bucket with at least 1 inch of water on top of the putty to protect it from exposure to the air. In cases where the substrate is very tightly bound, or when the greatest transparency is desired, factory produced Lime Putty is preferable over powdered lime.

Choosing a Suitable Surface

For lime to properly adhere to a surface the two must be:

Chemically compatible
Mechanically compatible

When it is chemically compatible, lime will not adversely react with the surface, causing the two to separate, (the lime flakes or falls off). When mechanically compatible there is sufficient porosity and texture – often referred to as 'key' – to allow the lime crystals to expand, 'lock' onto and penetrate the surface.

Limewash has rigid requirements when it comes to suitability with a surface because it is a thin coating. As with lime plasters, the supporting surface must be able to withstand a pH of 12 or more.

Surfaces suitable for limewash include:

Lime
Lime plaster and renders
Lime and cement based mortars and renders that have proper tooth and porosity
Previously lime washed supports
Masonry supports such as, brick, stone, terra cotta (mud) and cement block

Surfaces that are unsuitable for limewash:

Asbestos cement (chemically incompatible)
Dry wall (porosity inconsistencies and chemical incompatibility)
Hard troweled renders and plasters (too hard for lime crystals to penetrate for bonding)
Gypsum Plasters and products (chemically incompatible)
Previously painted or sealed surfaces (lack of porosity, chemically incompatible)
Smooth surface or nonporous surfaces (no porosity, no room for lime crystals to penetrate for bonding)
Wood (too high in PH, will cause wood grain to swell)

Alternative for Unsuitable Surfaces

Commercially prepared acrylic reinforced lime washes with compatible primers are often the only alternative for surfaces such as previous paint. Gypsum plasters are not compatible with lime wash, but they can accept Casein based paints such as Milk Paint and Casein Borax Paint. These paints are translucent and can create the matte appearance of lime wash.

Proper Atmospheric Conditions for Application

How To Paint Limewash

Conditions for application are the same as for lime renderings. Proper temperature and humidity are required for the carbonation process to be successful – the most critical period for carbonation is the first two to three days.

Ambient temperature should not be below 41 ºF (46 ºF for dark colors) at any time during the application or carbonation process. Do not allow freezing to occur.
In temperatures above 86 ºF or in very low humidity, surface and subsequent coatings must be misted with water.
Exterior coatings should be protected from wind and sun to protect it from drying too quickly. An opaque covering such as damp canvas or burlap works particularly well.
Surfaces must not have a surface temperature below 41 ºF (46 ºF for dark colors) and must not be excessively hot or excessively wet.

Preparing Suitable Surfaces (Lime and Masonry)

First, the surface must be fully set. Very smooth surfaces that don't have enough tooth (roughness) for the lime to bond with may require texturing with medium abrasives or a wire brush. Dust and loose debris should be removed by brushing or dusting, and then washing.

Second, the surface must be assessed for the proper dampness. A light dampness is desired – too much moisture on the surface will interfere with cling and coverage. Dampness can be influenced by the porosity of the surface, as well as humidity and temperature. It shouldn't absorb the primer, wash or patina coat so quickly that it dries almost immediately after being applied. It also may be necessary to mist before subsequent coats are applied. Misting, (prewetting) can easily be accomplished using a plastic spray bottle, pump sprayer or, on exterior projects, a garden hose with a suitable mist nozzle.

Mixing Instructions

For mixing, use a plastic bucket with lots of 'headroom'. Since lime is caustic, it can cause 'burns' to skin and eyes. Make sure you wear suitable clothing, (long sleeved shirt & long pants, cover-alls, etc.) rubber gloves, shoes and eye protection.

Slowly add powders, (lime, pigment or additive) to water, not water into powder to minimize dust. Avoid inhaling airborne powder during mixing and USE A DUST MASK! Mix only the amount of limewash to be used in one day. Larger quantities should be mixed with a paint paddle mounted to an electric drill.

Additives (Binders) for Enhanced Adherence

Within the limewash recipes, there are suggestions for additives (additional binders) to enhance the adhesion of limewash. They won't alter the appearance or breathability of a limewash, and since they provide additional insurance your limewash will be successful are highly recommended. One important rule: always add the same ratio of additive for each successive coat. Additives are important in exterior applications due to weather exposure. Additives are important in interior applications as well as a limewash that powders off in an interior space is not healthy.

Application Techniques

Choose brushes made specifically for limewash, or a 4' Poly/Nylon paint brush. A sponge can also be helpful to apply patinas and soften brush marks if desired. Lime is hard on tools – be sure to rinse all brushes thoroughly after use and hang to dry as the metal of the ferrule will be prone to rust. You may need to 'retire' several brushes over the course of a large project.

Lime and/or pigment particles will NOT remain suspended in water for long and MUST be frequently agitated. This is very important! During application of the Primer Coat, a paint stir-stick should be used at regular intervals. During application of wash or patina coats it is best to transfer portions of your freshly agitated mixture to a shallow container so that your brush bristles can touch the bottom and with each pass of the brush you can sweep the lime and pigment particles back up into suspension.

Lime wash should be worked down into the surface using a brush in a cross-hatch motion (also known as figure eight or butterfly.) This creates a more pleasing appearance than using a simple up and down motion with the brush. Brush marks can be left on the surface for added interest, or can be blended with the brush or by the use of a damp sponge. Sponges can also be used to apply a different color to specific areas, usually in the Patina Coat.

Several thin coats are the key to success – never apply too thick. For exteriors, 5 coats are recommended. For interiors, 3 coats or less depending upon the effect desired.

Fresco Application Technique

In the Fresco technique, limewash is painted onto fresh, set, wet plaster. This technique requires that the surface be hardened enough so as not to deteriorate as it is being brushed, but not too dry as to inhibit proper adhesion of pigments with the lime in the surface. Technique and climatic conditions play a major factor in application success. Read a detailed discussion of the Fresco Technique.

Limewash Recipes Using our High Calcium Hydrated Lime

This limewash recipe is broken down into three parts: a Primer Coat, a Wash Coat, and a more translucent Patina Coat.

Primer Coat

20 parts water
1 part High Calcium Hydrated Lime

Wash Coat

6 quarts water
1 kilo package Earth Pigments High Calcium Hydrated Lime, (approx. 1½ quarts by volume)
Up to 500g Ocher or Pigment
Additive¹

Coverage estimate is 110 sq feet dependent upon absorbency of substrate.

Patina Coat

How To Limewash

12 quarts water
1 kilo package Earth Pigments High Calcium Hydrated Lime, (approx. 1½ quarts by volume)
800g Ocher or Pigment
Additive¹

Coverage estimate is approximately 220 sq feet.

Limewash recipes using Lime Putty

This limewash recipe is broken down into three parts: a Primer Coat, a Wash Coat, and a more translucent Patina Coat.

Primer Coat

12 parts water
1 part Lime Putty

Wash Coat

1 quart water
1 kg Lime Putty
Pigment²
Additive¹

Patina Coat

2 quarts water
1 kg Lime Putty
Pigment³
Additive¹

Coverage estimate is approximately 220 sq feet.

Recipe Notes

1. Additives are used to promote adhesion of the wash or patina coats, (you must use the same additive for all coats of Wash and Patina).

Boiled Linseed Oil: ½ cup, OR
Earth Pigments Acrylic Binder: ½ cup, OR
Casein Powder 100g (interior only)

2. Pigment amounts when using Lime Putty:

Natural Earth and Ochers: up to 250 grams
French Mineral Pigments: up to 250 grams
Colonial Naturals: up to 250 grams
Oxide Pigments: up to 150 grams

3. Pigment amounts when using Lime Putty (Patina Coat only):

Natural Earth and Ochers: up to 500 grams
French Mineral Pigments: up to 500 grams
Colonial Naturals: up to 500 grams
Oxide Pigments: up to 300 grams

Final thoughts