Limewashing

Resene paint effects projects, project 08

Limewash was historically a very dilute form of quicklime applied to walls as a protective or decorative coating.

Nowadays we use modern paints to produce a similar effect by applying a translucent or thinned coat of paint over a basecoat. Limewash effects work well over a plastered or textured surface such as Resene Sandtex textured finish.

Paint a limewash effect on a fireplace
Create a limewash effect on your fireplace

You will need

100mm - 125mm paintbrushes (2)
Container for mixing glaze
Mixing stick
Soft cotton cloth
Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Orchid White and Resene Putty
Resene FX Paint Effects Medium

Project tips

You can vary the proportion of paint to FX Paint Effects Medium – the more medium added, the more translucent and subtle the finish will be.

Leave some of the basecoat unbrushed or cover very lightly so that there is a variation of colour between the basecoat and the effects finish coat.

Before you start your project try out different combinations and practice your application method on a piece of card until you are happy with the result. Resene FX Paint Effects Medium is available in 60ml testpots from your Resene ColorShop.

How to make the limewash paint finish

Step 1 - limewashing

Step 2 - limewashing

Step 1: Apply two coats of the base colour Resene Orchid White and allow to thoroughly dry. If you wish to use a textured basecoat replace the second coat of the base colour with a coat of the desired textured finish tinted to the base colour.

Mix an effects finish of: 3 parts Resene FX Paint Effects Medium, 1 part Resene Putty, 1 part water.

Dip about 10mm of the brush into the effects finish, tap the brush on the side of the container to remove the excess and place a few dabs of colour about 40-50cm apart over the basecoat. Moving the brush quickly in all directions, blend the colours.

Step 2: Use a dry brush to soften and blur the edges. A cotton cloth may be used to dab off heavier areas of effects finish and to help soften or remove brushstrokes.

When the first coat has dried thoroughly, you may apply a second coat to strengthen the colour or use another shade of the same colour to add interest and depth.