Limewash - Disadvantages ?

[masochists-r-us]

We're thinking of using coloured limewash on our newly lime plastered walls, but have no experience of using it.
Any tips out there for successful application, where to buy etc ? Also, are there any downsides to using lime ? My Husband thinks it might brush off on our clothes if we rub up against it. Is that true ?

 

[Ian Bond]

Far cheaper to mix yourself from lime putty, water and pigments. With the ready-made stuff you are paying a lot of money for water.

I've limewashed old lime plaster (and new repaired patches), and it does not rub off on clothes if you do it properly:

* good preparation - remove old, non porous coatings
* dampen the wall before application
* apply several thin coats - don't rush it and try to use a thicker mix to cover quickly with fewer coats
* allow plenty of time for each coat to cure before applying the next - I waited at least 2 days during the summer

The texture and variation in shade are part of the charm of limewash.

It was a superb finish for my lath and plaster ceiling too - all the little cracks filled in beautifully, and the repairs blended in well.

I posted a thread on my limewashing attempt while, back I'll try to find it again....

 

[Ian Bond]

http://periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8956&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=limewash

 

[Ian Bond]

 

[chippy]

I wouldn't bother with lime wash, I was fitting a kitched in a house last year that had just been painted with lime wash, and it was 'mingin' for want of a better description. It was powdery, and came off on your fingers, plus you have no chance of wiping the stuff, the owners were not impressed and this was put on by a well known firm who are supposed to be experts with this sort of thing, the other thing I noticed was you could see a definate darker area at the bottom of the wall presumably where the damp was coming through. Not used them but have heard clay paint is very good.

 

[Gervase]

Personally I'd only use limewash indoors on ceilings and in 'low traffic' areas. It does have a tendency to dust, will mark your clothes if you brush against it and is not washable, even when 'stiffened' with either casein or linseed oil. In the past, marking of clothes wasn't a problem, and the limewash didn't have to be washable as it was redone every year or so.
Better to use an oil-bound distemper instead. Clay paints are good, but very expensive.

 

[Ian Bond]

I've not had a problem in the room I did - lightly brushing along the walls doesn't seem to leave marks on clothes too easily.

However, I stayed in the Ancient House, Clare ( Landmark Trust ) and the limewashed walls of the staircase were a slight problem. You can't really help but brush against the walls in confined spaces.

So perhaps best to stick to limewashing ceilings / above picture rails if you are really determined to use the stuff, and try something rather more hard-wearing for other areas as Gervase suggested.

I dunno - you people with yer fancy modern clothes - just throw a good old-fashioned woollen smock on to protect your fine threads :wink:

 

[Wren]

So far we have only used white limewash with no colour, but plan to venture into colour at a later date. Started out by buying a tub of white limewash (don't laugh), but quickly switched to mixing it ourselves (just lime putty and water).

The "disadvantage" is that it is a bit more involved than simply slapping on some emulsion (e.g. with emulsion if you get the first coat on early you can do the the second coat in the same day).
The advantage is that it is a subtle way of adding/keeping character. Limewash has a glow and a texture which is different from modern paint (which looks very flat by comparison). In one of the bedrooms upstairs there was some of the original pale blue limewash on the walls and when the sun hits it the limewash really lights up with a beautiful depth of colour.

In terms of limewash rubbing off on clothes I haven't found that this is an issue (and don't spend lots of time leaning against the walls anyway). Limewash is the same as the lime plaster underneath but without the sand, so I guess there is no harm in trying a few coats of limewash and then if you don't like it then there is nothing to stop you from covering it with an alternative?