Limewashing is historically a mineral based, natural way to paint your brick. It’s a method that is environmentally friendly and been used since the Roman times. Limewash is a clay likes substance that has to be watered down before applied. The paint calcifies onto the brick and takes on the same characteristics of the brick keeping it naturally porous instead of the plastic feel from a latex paint

In this example we used Romabio Limewash: Avorio White which is a neutral white that can bring out both the natural cool or warm tones based on the room. Here is the process we as interior house painters use to get the job done right. Step 1: Clean and Prep The Surface

We use a wire brush and soapy water to clean the surface of the brick. With removing any extra stubborn stains we use trisodium phosphate and that does the trick. Professional painters know this first step can not be skipped or the imperfections will be seen at the last step.

Step 2: Apply the paint in stages

Lime wash is different than paint in the sense that it is a clay like substance that hardens and calcifies. First The Proud Paintbrush, your local painter, will add 1 part limewash to 2 parts water into a mixing bucket and make sure the limewash is thoroughly watered down for application. We then spray the brick with water and go ahead and start applying the limewash in phases. We recommend going over first with a heavy nap rollers and then coming back with a masonry brush to fill in all gaps and cracks.

Step 3: Getting the Desired Look

The reason interior painters want to apply in stages is because once a stage is complete they can go back and distress the brick with a wet cloth. This means lightly wiping the surface to get the desired affect.

We continue applying the lime wash in stages. At the end of each stage going back to distress and add character to your new paint job. Distressing the brick is of course completely optional for your painting project and if we want to go for a full white look that great too

Step 4: Allow to Cure

Now it’s time to let the paint cure. What we did in this picture was allow the paint to cure for about 6 hours and then add even more distress because we want a more natural and less defined look.