on October 08, 2026
Kalklitir is authentic limewash in powder form: you mix it with water, then paint. It gives a soft, suede-like matt wall with natural, cloudy movement — and you do not need to be a professional to get it right. This guide takes you through the whole system, from preparing the wall to protecting the finish, with the quantities and drying times you need to plan the job.
The Kalklitir system at a glance
| Step | Product |
|---|---|
| 1. Prepare & prime (if needed) | Primer — on new, non-porous, alkyd-painted or patchy surfaces |
| 2. Mix | Lime Paint powder + water (or + Plaster Paint Raw for texture) |
| 3. Paint | 2 coats with a natural, long-haired brush |
| 4. Protect (optional) | Top Coat — 1 to 3+ coats, depending on the room |
Where it works
| Room or surface | Use |
|---|---|
| Living rooms, bedrooms, offices, hallways, feature walls | Yes |
| Furniture | Yes |
| Kitchens, bathrooms away from water | Yes, protected with Top Coat |
| Showers, permanently damp areas, floors | No |
| Exterior walls | No — interior use only |
How much do I need?
| Wall area (2 coats) | Lime Paint |
|---|---|
| Up to 4 m² | 500 g |
| Up to 8 m² | 1 kg |
| Up to 16 m² | 2 kg |
| Up to 24 m² | 3 kg |
A 1 kg bag of Lime Paint covers about 8 m² with the recommended two coats (16 m² with one). For textured Plaster Paint, one 2 kg bag of Plaster Paint Raw mixed with 1 kg of Lime Paint covers about 6 m² with two coats (5–7 m² depending on the wall). Top Coat: one 575 g bag covers 8–10 m² per coat. Very absorbent walls take more — buy enough for each wall in one go.
Two finishes
Lime Paint
Ultra-matt, suede-like, softly cloudy
Best for: Interior walls & ceilings, feature walls, furniture
Kalklitir Lime Paint is calcium hydroxide and mineral pigments. As it dries it reacts with the carbon dioxide in the air and turns back into limestone, bonding with the wall rather than sitting on top of it. The result is a deeply matt, breathable finish with natural tonal variation — no two walls look the same. Its high alkalinity naturally discourages mould and mildew.
- Authentic limewash, VOC-free
- Breathable, regulates humidity
- Naturally resists mould and mildew
- Powder: mix with water before use
- Interior use only
Plaster Paint (Lime Paint + Plaster Paint Raw)
Ultra-matt, textured, stone- or concrete-like
Best for: Feature walls, living rooms, hallways
Plaster Paint Raw is an unpigmented mineral powder that gives Lime Paint body. Mixed together, they make a thicker paint that looks like aged plaster or soft stone — but it goes on with a brush, not a trowel, so no plastering experience is needed. The Lime Paint gives the colour, which stays clear and prominent.
Plaster Paint Raw is never used on its own — always mix it with Kalklitir Lime Paint.
- Textured, stone-like finish
- Brush-applied, DIY-friendly
- Smoothed with a damp sponge
- Interior use only
Step by step
1. Prepare the wall
Clean, repair, prime if needed
The wall must be clean, dry and sound — free of dust, grease and loose material. Kalklitir can go straight over matt or semi-matt water-based paint and most bare surfaces, including concrete, gypsum, plaster and wood. The existing colour does not need to be white.
Use Kalklitir Primer on new or non-porous surfaces, over oil (alkyd) paint, on repaired or mixed surfaces, and on MDF or plywood. It evens out absorption, so the lime takes uniformly instead of drying patchy.
2. Mix the paint
Powder + water, then let it rest
Add the Lime Paint powder to water in the proportion printed on the bag, stir thoroughly and let it rest for 10 minutes before painting. For Plaster Paint, mix 2 kg of Plaster Paint Raw into 1 kg of prepared Lime Paint — no extra water.
Video: Plaster paint - How to mix (Kalklitir)
Lime is alkaline: wear gloves and eye protection while mixing and painting, and read the Safety Data Sheet first.
3. Paint two coats
Natural brush, one wall at a time
Start at the top corner of the wall and work downwards in sections of about 45–90 cm, finishing each section as you move across. Paint each wall in one go, without stopping mid-wall, and do not go back over areas that have started to dry — that is how overlap marks appear. Stir the paint before and throughout, so the pigment does not settle and the colour stays even, and keep the brush pressure consistent: varying pressure changes the colour. Let the first coat dry fully before the second — the second coat is where the depth and movement really come to life. Avoid direct sunlight on the wall while it dries.
Video: How to use Lime Paint (Kalklitir)
For Plaster Paint, brush on two layers, then gently smooth the surface with a slightly damp sponge to bring out depth and movement.
Video: Plaster paint DIY (Kalklitir)
The colour looks darker while wet and lightens as it dries. Judge the final colour once the wall is fully dry, and treat the surface gently while it hardens (4–10 days).
4. Protect with Top Coat (optional)
Dries clear and matt — more coats, more protection
Top Coat is a VOC-free, water-based mineral finish, also mixed from powder. It looks milky in the bucket but dries clear, keeping the matt look of the lime; it may warm or deepen the colour very slightly. Brush it on in thin, even coats, following the direction of the lime strokes beneath — too much product can leave a white haze. Remove all painter’s tape before applying it, as tape left on the wall can pull the Top Coat off later.
Top Coat improves resistance to everyday stains and moisture, but it cannot protect against every stain, scratch, chemical or strongly coloured substance.
Video: Top Coat - DIY (Kalklitir)
Not sure whether your wall needs Primer or how much Top Coat a room needs? Tell us about your space and we’ll map out the full system for you.