What is limewash?
Limewash, or lime paint, is one of the oldest ways to paint a wall: slaked lime, water and pigment. Unlike modern paint, it doesn't form a film on the surface. It soaks into the wall and hardens with it as the lime reacts with the air. The result is a mineral matt with soft, cloudy variations of tone that shift with the light: the look of whitewashed Mediterranean villages and, more and more, of contemporary interiors.
Why choose lime paint
- Breathable: it lets water vapour through, which is essential on old walls and lime render.
- Naturally alkaline: it helps keep mould and bacteria at bay.
- Mineral and water-based, with very low VOCs.
- Colour with life: lime gives every wall its own nuances. Colours read slightly lighter and greyer than in emulsion, especially dark shades.
Three ways to paint with lime
Traditional limewash (Farrow & Ball Limewash). Pure slaked lime for interior and exterior walls and ceilings on lime render or porous stone. It bonds with the building itself and protects it from the weather. Apply four thin coats on a dampened wall; professional application is recommended. Not suitable for cement render, gypsum plaster or brick.
Ready-to-use lime paint (Pure & Original Fresco). It is 100% mineral and goes on almost any interior wall, including painted walls, new plaster, plasterboard and wood, with the right primer. Apply two coats with the dedicated brush, a cloth or a sponge. Once sealed, it is ready for kitchens and bathrooms. For a concrete or tadelakt look, there is Marrakech Walls, also lime-based.
Powder lime paint (Kalklitir). Mix it with water and paint: a deep matt with cloudy tonal movement and the character of a stone wall, easy to apply even if you've never used lime before. For interior walls and ceilings, two coats, around 16 m² per kg per coat. The system includes:
- Plaster Paint Raw: for a hand-worked plaster texture;
- Primer: for new plaster, painted walls, concrete or MDF;
- Top Coat: protects against stains and splashes without losing the matt.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between limewash and emulsion?
Emulsion forms a durable film on the surface of the wall, with deep, even colour. Limewash soaks in and becomes part of the wall, so it breathes, ages beautifully and gains depth over time. They are different choices, each with its own character.
Is lime paint washable?
Traditional limewash (Farrow & Ball) isn't: it is so matt that cleaning leaves marks. Pure & Original and Kalklitir solve this with a protective layer. Fresco can be sealed with Dead Flat Eco Sealer, Fresco and Marrakech Walls take Lime Soap, and Kalklitir has its Top Coat. All protect against stains and splashes without losing the character of lime, so lime paint can go in kitchens and bathrooms, away from direct water such as showers.
Can lime paint be used outside?
Yes. Farrow & Ball Limewash is made for façades in lime render and porous stone. Fresco, Marrakech Walls and Kalklitir are for interiors.
Can I apply lime paint over a painted wall?
Yes, with Fresco after a coat of WallPrim Pro, or with Kalklitir over its Primer. Traditional limewash only bonds to porous mineral surfaces such as lime render.
Can I paint over limewash with emulsion?
No. Traditional limewash won't take later coats of modern paint.
How many coats do I need?
Four for Farrow & Ball Limewash (at least three). Two for Fresco and Kalklitir.
Where can I buy limewash in Spain and Portugal?
Online at pigmentco.com or in store, from Pigment & Co, with delivery across mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, and across mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.
