Bauwerk Colour Limewash Paints are purely mineral based. They are manufactured from calcium carbonate, the same material sea shells are made from. When you paint with it the only chemical reaction that takes place is the absorption of atmospheric CO2 to convert the lime paint back to lime stone.

Bauwerk colours their limewash paints with natural pigments, this makes their colours completely different, as when light hits the wall(s), the colours look like no other.

You can safely paint your home without any fear of breathing in fumes that are harmful to you or your children. The limewash paints do not contain solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOC). Because of that, Bauwerk Limewash Paints are also fireproof.

The paint is not film-forming, like a plastic paint, it allows walls to breathe and be part of your micro-climate inside your home.

Bauwerk does not use biocides or other preservatives, and their limewash paints have natural anti-bacterial properties.

Bauwerk Limewash Paints are perfect for all interior or exterior masonry surfaces such as render, cement and bricks. They work best when they are absorbed into the wall leaving a breathable surface that is protected by the natural properties of the paint.

With the right preparation you can also decorate with limewash paint on walls that are already painted or are made of gyprock / drywall / plasterboard or plaster.

How much paint you require for different surfaces depends on the nature of your surface.

Generally, if you paint on top of Bauwerk Limewash Prep Coat, 1 litre of limewash paint will cover 6m2 in 2 coats. Usually, two coats will suffice.

If you paint over new render, 1 litre of limewash paint will cover between 7-10m2 per coat, depending on the surface texture and level of absorbency.

A simple maintenance coat on top of previous limewash paint application will cover around 10-12m2 per coat with 1 litre of paint.

Bauwerk Limewash Paints are perfect for all masonry surfaces, like render, bricks, mud brick and strawbale. However it’s also ok if your walls are already painted or are made of gyprock / drywall / plasterboard or plaster.

If your wall is already painted or is made of gyprock / drywall / plasterboard or plaster, it is very important that your walls are correctly primed, as Limewash Paint and Prep Coat will not mask any marks or blemishes on your wall, for example, inconsistent materials like the join lines of where the plasterboards meet, or any fillers or patches that are on the wall – to ensure that no ghosting of these inconsistencies comes through to your final finish.

When building or renovating, limewash painting should be scheduled as the last trade.

The paint should be touch dry in a short period, and it will continue to cure for about two weeks.

Step 1
First apply 2 coats of a good quality water-based drywall / plasterboard / gyprock primer, to ensure an even absorbency across the wall surface.

Step 2 (for interior use only)
Apply 1 coat of Bauwerk Limewash Prep Coat with a roller brush, especially formulated to make limewash painting easier and more durable on previously painted walls.

Step 3
Apply Limewash Paint using the Bauwerk Block Brushes in 2 - 3 coats, however you like it best. We find 2 coats is usually enough.

Sealer or protective coats do contain a lot of chemicals that we try to avoid, often change the appearance and do get damaged regardless. i.e once a wall is sealed it becomes harder to repair.

We believe a better solution is to use the limewash paint and when desired apply another quick coat.

As a design tip for future projects, where you have the chance to influence the wall substrate:

The ideal limewash substrate is a lime or (in high traffic areas) a cement based render . We found those to be the most resilient and long lasting finishes. The same goes for concrete or brick walls. For these substrates, the paint is applied directly, without the need for primers or Limewash Prep Coat. Such wall finishes are also a zero VOC finish.

If you are painting natural surfaces such as render or brick, Bauwerk Limewash Paints are wonderfully durable as they are absorbed into the wall.

If you are painting onto already painted or sealed walls, they are not as scrubbable as other paints.

Because Bauwerk Limewash Paints are made from natural materials, they are not made to be indestructible, it is part of the beautiful natural qualities of the paint. However they are perfectly durable enough and have been used in thousands of homes all over the world.

Bauwerk works with nature to make paints that are good for the environment including your home environment, many standard paints have a toxic mix of chemicals such as biocides, plastics and heavy metals to make them function as paints that stick to your wall, and make it possible to scrub them. With natural antibacterial qualities, our paints are suitable for a high humidity environment. The Bauwerk Limewash Prep Coat has been developed as a bridge coat between standard paint and primers to make limewash more durable, and easy to apply.

If you previously masked up all surfaces that you did not want to come into contact with the limewash paint, then you won’t have much clean up to do.

Clean up with water, you can add a little bit of soap, or if you encountered a larger spillage you may also use some diluted vinegar (test your surface first). Most non-absorbent surfaces will allow you to wipe the limewash paint off with a damp lint free white piece of cloth.

Your brushes and stirring tools wash out easily with water. The run-off is safe for your drainage system or your garden, it will neither pollute the environment nor damage or clog up your septic system.

As with all paints, store safely away from reach of children.

Limewash paint is naturally alkaline and can irritate your skin or eyes. Please protect yourself with barrier cream or gloves and wear eye protection.