Instructions

Lime is highly alkaline, which is both
good and bad. Good because the high alkaline environment prevents mould and bacteria from developing, just one reason lime is such a healthy choice. But while in powdered form and as a liquid paint, it is an irritant when inhaled or in contact with skin. Please use proper protection including gloves, dust mask and safety glasses and read the Safety Data Sheet for further details.

Lime washes were traditionally used on walls made of stone, brick or lime plaster. Today we also use them on plasterboard and surfaces previously painted with plastic paints. But the meeting of traditionally prepared minerals and modern materials can be tricky. Lime attaches to surfaces through the mechanical grip of small particles into a porous substrate. Acrylic paints are often completely smooth and offer little-to-no surface for the lime to grip. If you are painting a surface that is not porous, it is important to use a lime-safe primer and a bridge that builds a layer friendly to the top coat of Lime Wash.

What are you painting? 

Stone, brick, concrete, lime render, lime plaster, lime wash
If you are painting a porous material, you can apply lime wash without a primer or bridge. Spritz the surface with water before you paint and continue to spritz as you move along the wall. If the paint drags, your wall might be too dry. We do not recommend our Lime Wash for use on timber, metal or glass. 

To check if your wall has enough grip, spray with a few drops of water. If the water absorbs into the surface you can use lime wash without any further preparation. Just brush/wash off loose dirt, dust and debris and you’re good to go. If the water stays on the surface or runs, follow the steps below.

Plasterboard and previously painted surfaces
Step one: For new plasterboard or walls that have been patched, first apply a high quality lime-safe primer – available in any hardware store or paint shop. This is an important step and must not be skipped. As lime is absorbed into the wall, patches and joins of different materials will show through the finished paint work if not first covered with a primer.

Step two: Once the wall is primed, apply a coat of Lime Bridge. This adds a layer of porous material for the Lime Wash to grip. Allow to dry for at least 6-8 hours (overnight is preferred). As Lime Wash does not naturally adhere to acrylic paint, this step is important to build a porous bridge between primer (or existing paint) and your lime finish. Once this step is completed you can continue to use lime-based products into the future without further preparation.

Step three: Apply your Lime Wash in two or more thin layers, allowing each coat to fully dry for at least 4-6 hours (overnight is preferred).

Equipment

You will need:

1 x 4 litre bucket
1 x 10 litre bucket
1 x wooden spoon
1 x kitchen scales or measuring jug
1 x stick blender

Mix Lime Bridge powder with 1.8 litres of water
Coverage: 1kg powder + 1.8 litres water = 24sqm (1 coat) 

Use personal protection equipment including dust mask, gloves and safety glasses.

Preparation

1. Empty entire bag of powder into a DRY 4 litre bucket and stir thoroughly with wooden spoon until all ingredients are completely blended. This is an important step: contents settle during transport and if water is added without powder being fully mixed your paint may be lumpy.

2. Measure 1.8 litres of water into 10 litre bucket. Tip: use kitchen scales for accuracy (1 kg water = 1 litre water). Lime Bridge is a thick mixture but is applied as a single thin layer. If it is applied too thick it risks cracking as it dries. If the mixture starts to thicken too much add a little more water, no more than 50 ml at a time. 

3. Add powder to water while stirring (never water to powder as it creates more dust) so that entire mix is now in 10 litre bucket. Continue to stir until ingredients have formed a smooth liquid.

4. Use stick blender for no less than 5 minutes to integrate ingredients.

5. Allow to stand for 12-24 hours.

Lime Bridge Instructions

Application

1. While paint is soaking, mask edges and position drop sheets. Lime Bridge and Lime Wash can be easily washed off for a day or two after painting, but once cured can be difficult to remove so do not delay cleaning spills. Apply lime-safe or lime-friendly primer as needed.

2. Once paint has fully hydrated, stir solids which have settled from bottom of bucket and again use stick blender for no less than 5 minutes. Dip wooden spoon into paint and watch paint drip from back. If any undissolved grains are visible on the spoon, continue to blend until all ingredients are fully integrated. This is important for final strength of paint.

3. Decant 4-5 cm of paint into 4 litre bucket. Dip brush into paint a quarter way up bristles to reduce risk of drips and runs. Paint in even strokes minimising high spots. Decant more paint from 10 litre bucket as needed, stirring contents before pouring. Continue to stir decanted paint each time you dip your brush.

4. Allow Lime Bridge to fully dry for at least 6 hours (preferably overnight) – before applying Lime Wash.

5. Do not allow walls to dry too quickly, either in direct sunlight or high temperatures, as the lime will contract before it has a chance to cure.

If splashed on skin, rinse immediately.

Clean up: Hydrated Lime Bridge can be kept in an airtight container in cool conditions for up to four days. Do not tip down sink (Lime Bridge will not cause ecological damage but may harden in pipes). For disposal, allow paint to settle in bucket before tipping off clear water and disposing of solids in soil or compost or into normal rubbish once fully dry. Be aware that lime is highly alkaline and will affect pH levels. Wash brushes in clean water and dry. Wipe splashes within 24 hours.

Application

1. While paint is hydrating, mask edges and position drop sheets. Lime Wash can be easily washed off for a day or two after painting but once cured can be difficult to remove so do not delay cleaning spills. Apply primer and Lime Bridge as needed.

2. Once paint has fully hydrated, stir solids which have settled from bottom of bucket and again use stick blender for no less than 5 minutes. Dip wooden spoon into paint and watch paint drip from back. If any undissolved grains are visible on the spoon, continue to blend until all ingredients are fully integrated.
   This is important for final strength of paint.

3. Decant 4-5 cm of paint into 4 litre bucket. Have spray bottle handy. If wall is very porous (such as old brick, stone or unsealed concrete), spritz surface liberally with water and continue to spritz as you move along wall. If paint is absorbing too quickly into wall, apply more water. If painting onto Lime Bridge, mist wall enough for brush to move smoothly but not enough to cause runs or drips.

4. Dip brush into paint a quarter way along bristles only, to reduce risk of drips and runs. Paint using technique to achieve required finish. Decant more paint from 10 litre bucket as needed, stirring contents before pouring. Continue to stir decanted paint each time you dip brush.

5. Allow Lime Wash to fully dry – at least 6 hours (preferably overnight) – before applying second coat. Allow second coat to fully dry for textured effect to be revealed. Lime Wash lightens x10 as it dries so don’t hurry the decision to apply third coat. Do not allow walls to dry too quickly, either in direct sunlight or high temperatures, as the lime will contract and crack before it has a chance to cure.

If splashed on skin, rinse immediately.

Clean up: Hydrated Lime Wash can be kept in an airtight container in cool conditions for up to four days. Do not tip down sink (Lime Bridge will not cause ecological damage but may harden in pipes). For disposal, allow paint to settle and dry in bucket before adding to normal rubbish collection or dispose of remaining paint into soil or compost. Be aware that lime is highly alkaline and will affect pH levels. Wash brushes in sink.