Plasterboard + Gyprock Surface Guide
How to apply limewash to plasterboard surfaces
Plasterboard, also known as drywall/gyprock, is a modern alternative to traditional plaster. The large, paper-coated panels are standard in most homes for walls and ceilings.
This is the right guide for you if you want to learn how to:
- limewash plasterboard, gyprock or drywall
- prepare your surface before limewashing
- apply limewash paint
Supply Checklist
- Whisk or Electric Mixer
- Bucket
- 4 x 14 Limewash Brush
- Prep Coat + Primer
- Limewash Paint
Lime Wash Brushes
Limewash Paint
Whisk Mixing Tool
Preparation
During construction or renovation, it is advisable to schedule Bauwerk painting as the final trade to prevent damage to the final finish caused by other trades or building equipment.
The coverage of Limewash Paint over Bauwerk Prep Coat on plasterboard surfaces is 10-15 m² per litre, per coat, with 2 coats required.
The coverage of Bauwerk Prep Coat over previously Painted/Sealed surfaces is 6 m² per litre, per coat, with 1 coat required.
*Recommendations for coverage are to be used as a guide only, variation in quantity needed will depend on the porosity of the surface to be painted. We always recommend the use of sample pots for an accurate colour representation and consumption for your particular surface and light conditions.
Surface Preparation
Step 1 : Prime
We recommend 2 coats of a water-based undercoat-sealer/primer –not a mist coat and non-diluted.
The primer ensures the limewash is evenly absorbed across the surface. It’s very important that your walls are correctly primed, as Limewash and Prep Coat won’t mask what is on your wall. On new plasterboard walls, primer will prevent ‘ghosting’ of the join compound being visible as prominent lines through the finished paintwork. On old, previously painted, or repaired walls, the primer prevents ‘ghosting’ of patched areas or inconsistent materials.
You do not need to prime if your walls are already correctly primed and without patches and repairs.
Step 2: Prep Coat
Apply 1 coat of Bauwerk Prep Coat. We have specially developed our Prep Coat as a bridging layer to enhance the durability and ease of application of limewash. Bauwerk Prep Coat is not a primer; it’s a preparatory paint recommended for non-porous indoor surfaces to create the ideal conditions for applying limewash paint.
Limewash Preparation
- Stir the limewash well and make sure all pigment is thoroughly mixed into the paint. Do not paint from a full bucket. Decant into a larger vessel and work with only around 8cm (3in) of paint in a bucket.
- Continue to stir paint regularly while painting. We recommend a machine stirrer, like a Bamix stick blender, or an egg whisk.
- Ensure you have the correct brush for the job. You will need an absorbent bristle block brush— our 4×14 limewash block brush is our most popular size, perfect for most applications.
Limewash Paint Application
Step 3: Limewash
Apply 2 coats of Bauwerk Limewash Paint- Dip the brush into the bucket and flick off excess paint. The brush can hold a lot of paint, but should not be dripping.
- Start in a corner of the wall–holding the brush at a right angle to the wall. It may be best to hold the brush on the brush body, rather than the handle for more control.
- Using loose, free strokes stretch the paint as far as possible, varying the direction of strokes constantly. Let the bristles do the work. There is no need to apply too much pressure.
- Brush out the paint evenly in a thin coat, preventing runs or drips, while covering every part of the surface in the first coat. Maintain a wet edge at all times to prevent lines in your finished surface*. Finish each coat in one continuous application. Do not try and patch walls once the coat is finished, as missed areas can be covered in the next coat.
- When wet, the colour will appear darker and transparent. Do not compensate for this by applying more paint. As the paint dries, the colour will lighten to the chosen colour and become more opaque.
- Allow a minimum of 1-2 hours between coats. Apply a second coat faster, wet-in-wet and a lot looser. Missing spots is okay, as the first coat should have covered everything. Allow the paint to dry.
If you’re painting with our ‘whites’, maintaining a wet edge is not required. These colours patch easily and are great for spot touchups.
Plasterboard / Drywall / Gyprock + Limewash FAQs
What do I need to know when selecting my limewash paint colour and sampling?
To be sure of your colour, we always recommend testing using a Sample Pot of limewash.
As your plasterboard/drywall surface will require Bauwerk Prep Coat before applying the limewash, you can sample your chosen colours on the wall surface itself. See the above step-by-step guide for wall preparation instructions. Once your surface is properly prepped, apply your limewash paint samples directly onto the prep-coated wall. When you’re done with your samples, apply a final layer of Prep Coat over your samples areas to prevent the swatches from showing through finished paintwork. You’re now ready to start limewashing with your chosen colour.
Another method that may be easier is to apply your samples onto a board of similar material to your wall. This enables you to carry the samples around the space and assess them in different lighting conditions.
Can I apply limewash paint to my internal gyprock/ plasterboard walls?
Bauwerk Limewash Paint is suitable for use on correctly prepared new, sealed or previously painted plasterboard/ gyprock walls when used with Bauwerk Prep Coat.
View detailed instructions in our step-by-step guide above.
How much limewash paint is required for my gyprock/ plasterboard walls?
Limewash over Bauwerk Prep Coat: 10–15 m² per litre, per coat (2 coats required)
Bauwerk Prep Coat over Previously Painted/ Sealed walls: 6 m² per litre, per coat (only 1 coat required)
Note: Recommendations for coverage are to be used as a guide only, variation in quantity needed will depend on the porosity of the surface to be painted. We always recommend the use of sample pots for an accurate colour representation and consumption for your particular surface and light conditions
My gyprock/ plasterboard walls are previously painted with another paint, what do I need to know before I limewash?
Bauwerk Limewash Paint is suitable for previously painted plasterboard walls, provided they are correctly prepared.
Surface Requirements
Step 1: If your walls are repaired or patched, we recommend 2 coats of a water-based undercoat-sealer/primer to ensure the limewash is evenly absorbed across the surface. This prevents ‘ghosting’ of repaired areas from being visible through the finished paintwork. You can skip this step if your walls are in good condition.
Paint Application
Step 1: Apply 1 coat of Bauwerk Prep Coat.
Step 2: Apply 2 coats of Bauwerk Limewash Paint using a Bauwerk natural fibre brush. Dip the brush into the bucket and flick off excess paint. The brush can hold a lot of paint, but should not be dripping. Maintain a wet edge at all times to prevent colour overlays. Do not leave drips or runs. Continue to stir paint regularly while painting.
Allow 1–2 hours between coats. When wet, the colour will appear darker and transparent. As the paint dries the colour will lighten and become opaque.
View detailed instructions in our step-by-step guide above.
My gyprock/ plasterboard walls are brand new, can I use limewash?
Yes, you certainly can. Bauwerk Limewash Paint is suitable for newly fitted gyprock/plasterboard walls, provided they are correctly prepared.
Surface Requirements
Step 1: Apply 2 coats of a water-based undercoat- sealer/primer to ensure the Limewash is evenly absorbed across the surface. This prevents ‘ghosting’ of the join compound being visible as prominent lines through the finished paintwork.
Paint Application
Step 1: Apply 1 coat of Bauwerk Prep Coat.
Step 2: Apply 2 coats of Bauwerk Limewash Paint using a Bauwerk natural fibre brush. Dip the brush into the bucket and flick off excess paint. The brush can hold a lot of paint, but should not be dripping. Maintain a wet edge at all times to prevent colour overlays. Do not leave drips or runs. Continue to stir paint regularly while painting.
Allow 1–2 hours between coats. When wet, the colour will appear darker and transparent. As the paint dries the colour will lighten and become opaque.
View detailed instructions in our step-by-step guide above.
Limewashing over Bauwerk Prep Coat
Sharing tips and techniques on how to achieve a great result limewashing inside–creating walls with texture and depth.