Apply our limewash in three easy steps
Step 1: Water
Add 2600ml of hot water (50 degrees celsius or your tap's hottest setting) to a bucket. Adding water that is boiling or too cold will result in paint with a grainy texture.
If you are planning to only use some of the product and intend to store some for later, for every 1 gram of powder, mix with 1.8mL of hot water. Eg. If you were to use 100g of powder, mix with 180mL of water to make roughly 300mL of paint.
Step 2: Mix
Add the contents of your Dalray paint packet to the bucket. For best results, add the Limewash incrementally, not all at the same time.
Once added, mix thoroughly for 3 minutes until there are no lumps. The consistency should be similar to whole milk. If it is not, add more water.
Step 3: Paint
Use a block brush to apply Dalray Limewash Paint to primed walls in criss-cross strokes (note: paint will lighten substantially once dry). Once coat one is complete, cover your remaining paint to prevent drying and store in a cool dark place (your fridge is ideal). Wait 3-4 hours for coat one to dry before applying coat two. If paint has thickened while stored, add a little more water and mix again.
Please note that the paint will appear translucent when applied, but will turn opaque and lighten once dry.
Priming and surface compatibility
- Our paint is compatible with a wide range of mineral or water-based primers. Of widely available brands. We recommend Dulux One Step Prep, Taubmans 3 in 1 Prep or Taubmans Professional Undercoat as these have adhesion qualities suited to limewash paint.
- We do not recommend primers with stronger sealing properties or glossier finishes, such as British Paints Water-based 4 in 1 Prep Primer Sealer Undercoat, as these provide a less adhesive surface for the limewash paint and may result in a different finish. If you have used a strong sealing or glossy primer, we recommend lightly sanding the primed surface prior to application of limewash paint to provide a more adhesive surface.
- We do not recommend oil-based primers as these generally produce a more glossy surface.
- See below a list of compatible surfaces and whether they require primer. If a surface requires primer, please do not skip the priming stage as your limewash will have different results. A normal brush or roller is fine to use for the primer.
Painted interior walls
Primer required: Yes
Notes: Standard application process applies.
Unpainted interior walls (plasterboard)
Primer required: Yes
Notes: Standard application process applies, however more primer may be needed.
Unpainted brick
Primer required: No
Notes: Primer generally not needed due to higher absorption of paint. Coverage generally lower. Exterior applications may require sealer to protect finish.
Render
Primer required: No
Notes: Primer generally not needed due to higher absorption of paint. Coverage generally lower. Exterior applications may require sealer to protect finish.
Fibre cement (fibro)
Primer required: Yes
Notes: Standard application process applies.
Other masonry
Primer required: Yes
Notes: Primer recommended. Coverage generally lower. Exterior applications may require sealer to protect finish.
Important information
Safety
As a lime-based product, Limewash is highly alkaline during mixing and while wet. It is recommended to wear a face mask and safety glasses during application. If skin comes in contact with Limewash paint and causes irritation, rinse with water. If Limewash Paint gets into your eyes, flush your eyes with water or an eyewash.
Tools
A bucket, kitchen whisk or mixing paddle and a block brush are necessary tools for the application of Limewash. Limewash application using a paint roller or paint sprayer is not recommended. Paint rollers create lap lines and roller marks which compromise the aesthetic of a Limewash Finish. Limewash will clog a paint sprayer.
Coverage
Typical coverage of Dalray paint is 10㎡ per litre, based on 2 coats of paint.
When our full sized product is mixed with 2.6L of water, it forms approximately 4 litres of limewash paint which is enough to cover about 40㎡ of primed wall with two coats. In other words, our 1.4kg product should be enough paint to cover an average sized bedroom (approximately).
Coverage for brick and render will be lower due to the porosity and absorbancy of those surfaces.