Limewash Brick

Limewash brick is bare brick brushed with a mineral coating of lime, water and pigment that soaks into the surface. It leaves a soft, matte, breathable finish that wears away slowly instead of peeling. It only works on brick that has never been painted or sealed, so we test the brick first.

What is limewash, and how is it different from paint?

Paint forms a film on top of the brick. Limewash becomes part of it. The Brick Industry Association's Technical Note 6 describes limewash as a mineral treatment made from slaked or hydrated lime diluted with water and brushed on. As it cures, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and forms calcite crystals locked into the masonry. Its high pH makes it naturally mold-resistant, and it does not trap moisture in the wall the way some coatings can.

The look is different too. Limewash dries to a matte, uneven finish, and its opacity depends on how much water is used and how many coats go on. One thin coat lets a lot of the brick color through. Two or three heavier coats look closer to solid white or color, still with a chalky depth paint does not have. Color choices are narrower than paint, since limewash is tinted with natural pigments.

Can you limewash brick that is already painted?

Not with true limewash. It relies on getting into the pores of the brick, and paint or sealer blocks those pores. TN 6 also notes that limewash will not bond to glazed brick, and some dense, smooth brick takes it poorly. We test a small, hidden area before you commit. For painted brick, see brick house painting or a thinned paint finish on our whitewash brick page.

How long does limewash last?

It depends on the weather and the look you want. TN 6 puts limewash at five to 10 years or more, depending on exposure and how much weathering you want to see. South and west walls in North Texas and southern Oklahoma take the most sun and rain, so they soften first. Many owners like that aged look. When a wall gets thinner than you want, a fresh coat goes right over the old one with no scraping.

How is limewash applied?

1. Test. A small patch on a hidden wall shows how the brick takes it.
2. Clean. Dirt, mildew and loose material come off, and the wall is rinsed.
3. Check the mortar. Loose or missing mortar is pointed out before work starts, since limewash will not hold it together.
4. Dampen. The brick is misted so the limewash does not dry too fast in our heat.
5. Brush. Limewash is brushed into the brick and the joints, in sections.
6. Wash back if wanted. For a worn look, some is washed off with water within the working window to let brick show through.
7. Second coat. Most walls get two coats for an even result.

TN 6 notes that some limewashes can be removed with water within the first few days if the look is not right, which makes a test patch worth the wait.

Brick that suits limewash

Older red brick is a common candidate. In Gainesville about 68 percent of homes were built before 1980, by Census estimates, and in Ardmore's Highland Park, the 2012 survey notes that about half of homes keep their original clapboard or brick. Brick from those years is often softer and more porous than modern brick, which is what limewash needs. See exterior painting in Gainesville.

Are there local rules about limewashing brick?

In Denton's Oak-Hickory Historic District, section 4.9.4 of the Development Code says masonry that was never painted must not be painted unless it is needed to restore or preserve it. The code does not say whether limewash counts as paint, so check with the city's historic preservation staff before limewashing there. Our Oak-Hickory page explains the district's rules. In HOA neighborhoods, a new brick color often needs approval, and we help with HOA color approvals.

Limewash, whitewash, German schmear or stain?

Each changes brick in a different way. Whitewash is thinned paint, so it is a film. German schmear is a thin mortar coat, close to permanent. Brick staining changes the color and keeps the texture. Limewash is the one that soaks in, breathes and fades. For fireplaces, see brick fireplace painting.

Nearby

• Exterior painting
• Brick house painting
• Exterior painting in Gainesville, TX
• Brick staining