Getting Started Before Limewashing
To achieve your desired limewashed look it always starts with preparing your surfaces correctly.
Preparing your walls correctly can make all the difference to your final limewash results.
Rushing or skipping and steps in preparation may not save time or money, as well as using unsuitable or low quality tools and materials. It may make it more difficult to apply the limewash or create an uneven finish.
Depending on what surface is being painted and whether or not the surface you are limewashing is indoors or outdoors, your wall may require a primer, prep coat, or just a simple thorough clean before limewashing.
For detailed guidance, check our surface guides and find out how to prepare your chosen wall surface for limewashing.
FAQs About General Limewash Preparation
How do I Prepare my Limewash Before Painting ?
Stir thoroughly:
We recommend using a machine stirrer, such as a Bamix stick blender or an egg whisk, rather than a traditional paint stirrer. See our Tools & Preparation guide for more information.
Mix the pigment thoroughly:
Make sure all pigment is fully incorporated into the paint before you begin.
Don’t paint directly from a full bucket:
Decant the limewash into a larger vessel, then work with approximately 8 cm (3 in) of paint in your bucket at a time. This makes the paint easier to work with and helps maintain an even application.
Stir regularly:
Continue stirring the limewash throughout the painting process to keep the pigment evenly distributed.
Learn more: Explore our Tools & Preparation guide for further advice.
How do I prepare my wall for Limewashing ?
Prepare according to your surface
The correct preparation will depend on your wall type and whether the surface has been previously painted. Your wall may require an undercoat sealer or primer, as well as a suitable prep coat, to create the ideal surface for limewash.
For detailed instructions specific to your wall surface, explore our Surface Guides.
Preparation for Internal Walls
How Should I Prepare New or Repaired Plasterboard or Plaster?
Whether your wall is new, previously painted, or has been repaired, proper preparation is essential for achieving an even limewashed finish. We recommend following the 3 Ps of Preparation: Prime, Prep, and Paint.
Limewash and prep coat will not hide what is underneath. Any joins, repairs, patches or differences in the surface may show through the final finish, so creating a consistent base is an important part of the process.
For new plasterboard, correct priming helps prevent joint compound and join lines from showing through. For older, previously painted or repaired walls, it helps minimise patchy areas and differences in absorption.
Surface Preparation
Step 1: Prime
Apply 2 coats of a water based undercoat sealer/primer. Do not use a mist coat or dilute the primer. If your wall has already been correctly primed and is free from patches or repairs, you may not need to prime again.
Step 2: Prep Coat
Apply 1 coat of LaRosa Colours Prep Coat.
Step 3: Paint
Apply 2 coats of LaRosa Colours Limewash Paint.
Do I need to use LaRosa Colours Prep Coat on my new or repaired plasterboard or plaster wall?
Our Prep Coat has been specially developed as a bridge between standard primers and limewash. It helps create a more consistent surface, making limewash easier to apply and helping to improve its durability.
Prep Coat is not a primer and should not be used as a substitute for one.
It’s important to remember that limewash and prep coat will not mask the surface beneath. Existing joins, repairs, patches and variations in the wall can still influence the final finish, which is why thorough preparation is so important.
Preparation for External Walls
Can I use LaRosa Colours Prep Coat on external walls?
No. LaRosa Colours Prep Coat is designed for internal use only and should not be used on exterior surfaces.
Do I need to use a primer or Prep Coat on external walls?
For natural exterior surfaces such as brick, render or stone, we generally do not recommend using a primer or Prep Coat.
Limewash is designed to be absorbed into these natural, porous materials, allowing it to become part of the surface rather than forming a sealed layer over it.
Can I Limewash Exterior Brick or Render That Is Already Painted or Patchy?
Yes, but previously painted exterior surfaces require additional preparation.
We recommend applying a suitable thin acrylic render product or Acratex Primer before applying limewash. This creates a more absorbent surface for the limewash to bond with.
Applying limewash over a sealed or non absorbent exterior surface can affect its performance and may result in a shorter maintenance period, particularly when the surface is exposed to weather and the elements.
For the best result, always ensure your exterior surface is suitable, clean, sound and properly prepared before limewashing.