Fixing Bubbles on Limewash Walls

Find out what causes bubbling in limewash and how to repair it for a smooth, even finish

Q. My walls are bubbling, what is the cause of this and how to fix it?

Limewash and Prep Coat are not a cause for bubbling. The cause of bubbling is usually due to the underlying wall and wall preparation:

  • Plaster or plaster patches that have not had enough time to dry and cure. 
  • Repair materials containing solvents and VOC’s
  • A solvent-based primer that has reacted with the underlying wall 

How to fix and repair Bubbled (internal) Limewash Paint Surfaces:

1 Sand back any affected areas

2 if possible allow time for more off-gassing

3 then start the process of painting again, with the correct water-based primer/sealer, then

4 apply 1 coat Bauwerk Prep Coat and

5 apply 2 coats of limewash paint.

Check out our detailed step-by-step limewash paint instructions

Render + Limewash FAQs

I used a primer from my local supplier and after painting with Limewash Paint many little bubbles appear on the surface?

Bubbling is usually associated with the base primer coat. Many manufacturers still use solvents or other additives that cause off-gassing of some of their VOC’s. VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) are associated with health concerns and will cause issues with the indoor air quality.

The off-gassing will diminish over time and eventually will no longer cause the bubbling. How long that process takes depends on the amounts of gasses and their speed of being released When choosing a primer please use a water-based, low VOC content acrylic primer with the specific requirement to eliminate absorbency differences. Ask your supplier to check the technical data sheet to ensure the primer is free from off-gassing substances.

Bauwerk Colour Lime wash paint does not contain any gases or VOC’s and will never be the cause for bubbling or a lowered air quality.

To test which layer is the incompatible material causing the bubbles you can prepare a piece of board used in the wall construction and paint several sections.

One section may be just Bauwerk Prep Coat with Bauwerk Limewash Paint as a control panel (there will be no bubbles).

Another board or a section of the board may be painted with the primer used as an underlying material, another with the primer plus Prep Coat and limewash paint. That will allow you to identify the material that causes the bubbling.