How to Limewash a Brick House

How to Limewash A Brick House
Renos explains how he limewashed a brick house.
He covers the techniques that he used to prepare the limewash as well as how he applied to limewash to the brick.
He classifies this one as a failed limewash attempt because he was not pleased with the final look, and due to the way it compromised the airless paint sprayer.
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[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Here is a link to a video that provides airless paint sprayer advice for spraying limewash. Cheers! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnzSamiQoM2so68

[@tomasviane3844]

The way to whitewash is to take a big brush and slap it on there. You need a thick layer! The advantage of limewash is that your walls are still able to breathe (not so with paint) and if you want to redo the walls, then you just slap another layer on top (not so with paint, because lots a scrubbing to do). Some old houses may have many layers of whitewash on them (without the need to remove them).

[@taylorbuckner777]

Super informative and helpful! I’m looking forward to checking out your other videos.

[@otispage5746]

Thanks for your honesty. Appreciated it.

[@dearcole123]

The final result looks great! I came across this video looking for ways to update my ugly brick fireplace and I had no idea what limewash was. Thanks for the video!

[@marniemonfort7719]

The final look was PAINT...vs limewash though

[@jlhasty07]

Man.. you are thorough! Awesome job!

[@85stickyhands]

Probably for something as thick as that you may want to stray from using a smaller rig. My experience (not with lime wash but spraying mud) its better to go bigger. Could burn the mother board out on the smaller one. Also, we take the filter out (go by your own judgment) so its not another step of having to force that material through that much more stuff. Hope this isn't taken negatively! Just wanna help but im also trying to find out how to do lime wash and learn more about it before I do my house. This video was actually really helpful about how to approach this! Thanks!

[@Abc12316383]

Thank you for doing this. One of the most forthright videos I have seen in a long time. You got yourself a new subscriber!

[@chrisparker9115]

Thanks for the video and input!

[@kk2485]

This helped big time. I was thinking of using a paint sprayer. So thanks for the helpful tips.

[@pahanson11]

Thanks so much for sharing your project and advice on the dos and don'ts. I have a 1960s red brick house I will DIY and your advice helped me to decide painting it will be better for my level of expertise. 😃

[@ninagall7500]

So, how did it turn out?

[@Aj23427]

Awesome video! Thank you for your thorough explanation!

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Thank you!

[@sydneysmith5907]

Thank you! This video was so helpful.

[@gregglouis2969]

Really did turn out great. I’m not a fan of the sea-foam green doors typically but it really pops with your house. Good job sir

[@TallulahGold505]

THANK YOU for sharing this. You saved me so much time and money!

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Glad that you found it helpful. Thank you for leaving a comment!

[@adanr150]

What were your plans on how to do before watching video

[@caridel-rio4460]

Really informative 👍🏼 thanks

[@JamNJ1985]

Great video. Keep them coming

[@ricdavid7476]

Hello from London UK. i am waiting for the weather to get warmer here so that i can lime wash the outside of my 130 year old cottage. I have never done it before and am looking forward to it. My place had been painted with acrylic paints before and it was almost impossible to remove and i did it by using some incredibly toxic chemicals. lime wash is very easy to remove and is non toxic and forgiving. Lime wash i think looks lovely on old properties but is not so good for new ones.

[@marcelzeigler631]

I have a similar house and I would love to have the lighting in the soffit as you installed.

[@oilyrag7429]

Looks like good stuff 👍

[@binggaming4582]

You can remove the filters before spraying something thick like that and spray without filters. Will blow the tip quickly tho but works. You can spray texture with an airless if you remove the filters

[@christiejdesignsfinds3270]

Thank you, you just saved me allot of time and money!!

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Awesome! Thank you.

[@kaitlynoconnnor]

The end product looks so good! Super modern and clean I love it!!!!

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Thank you!

[@coralsunshine7018]

I really appreciated this video.

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Thank you!

[@coralsunshine7018]

Of course! What limewash product/ tint did you use? I'm curious as to if different brands have different application results.

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

​@@coralsunshine7018 Please look in the description box below the video. You will see a link to the blog article that I wrote on this same topic. The link to the exact product can be found there. Cheers!

[@coralsunshine7018]

@@RENOS4PROSJOES Thanks 😊

[@matthewraybould6748]

Give us a link to your mailman's channel! Seriously though, thanks for the information and insight. Ended up doing mine with a brush.

[@arturosaunya385]

You should wet the brick a week before mixing the paint like that you don’t waste time on taping the windows And untie the line of the sprayer hey is only a friendly tip from a fellow painter

[@AthenaAthena]

I used the romabio limewash and i didn't have an issue. But I brushed on two layers and it looks like a white painted house. I'd say each side of the house took a day to do. One coat, let it dry 8 hours and then a second coat in the evening. as far as using the sprayer goes, I didnt see you use a paint paddle to mix the limewash nor did i see you strain the product after you mixed it with water to get out chunks that could've been left. I think doing those two things would've helped you tremendously with spraying.

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Both tips that you mentioned would have been helpful. Another key tip that I did not come across until later was removing the filter in the handle of the sprayer.

[@The_Fitz]

“How to lime wash a house, realize it isn’t great, then end up painting it” title update? Hah, the red brick look had its time. White is definitely cleaner and the brighter look feels more welcoming. Good job

[@sandymccraykansascityreale4265]

Wow! I am so glad I found this. I may have changed my mind about limewash vs paint! Can you tell me if limewash will age better on brick though? Won't paint chip off? thank you!

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

I can't comment on the aging process for limewash since I don't have the experience with it. However, painted surfaces (including brick) do have to be repainted (typically 5-7 years is recommended). The paint should not "chip off" unless if the brick is properly prepped and primed prior to painting it. You should also use a paint that is designed for brick. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@larinlazar9273]

I recommend using the brush method due to the fact that you were looking for a more of a solid look rather than transparent. The brush allows you to work with thicker Limewash to give you that painted look. In terms of spraying, you would need a very high-grade sprayer to be able to push all of those Limewash particle through for the same effect.

[@Caligirl.8630]

Do you have recommendations on how to do a very light coating of lime wash? I do want the transparent look.

[@larinlazar9273]

@@Caligirl.8630 mix the limewash with more water before applying. Try it on a small portion, than add more as desired of need be.

[@Caligirl.8630]

@@larinlazar9273 will do. thank you!!

[@Caligirl.8630]

@@larinlazar9273 will do. thank you!!

[@Caligirl.8630]

@@larinlazar9273 will do. thank you!!

[@saborguerito]

I have done this to a couple of fireplaces. I can tell you that the reason why you were not happy with the way this turned out was because you sprayed the entire wall first. It would have been a better idea to test spray a spot and then rub it with a rag. By spraying it you're essentially painting The Brick and the lime is absorbed straight into the brick and dries quickly. When you do the spray and wipe method you are giving it time to absorb a small amount of the lime and then rubbing it off so that way the color shows through. Anyone else trying to do this I would recommend you do this with another person. If you have a single story home that is not very big I would not recommend using a paint sprayer but instead do it with brushes as he's suggested. One person can brush on while the other person rubs off. If you add too much you can spray with water and some will come off. If you have access to a pressure washer, and it hasn't been too long you can experiment a little bit with putting the lime on and then giving it a spritz with a pressure washer from a distance

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

I tried applying it a few different ways. It really just didn't look that great on this house. However, I agree that applying with a brush gives you a lot more control over the application. In my opinion, limewash tends to look a lot better on two story homes. its just not as exciting on one-story homes, especially ones that have a ver low profile and roofline like the home in this video.

[@kylehomewood3169]

What would u seal with after?

[@Universal.G]

Thanks for the info. Just curious, why not use a coarse roller and brush? Is there a reason you didn't?

[@DK-ee6kv]

Do you guys recommend back rolling it?

[@kelseyminor7232]

Could I add more water than reccomended to get a really sheer covering?

[@eattolive278]

Hows it holding up? Need to know before i do moms house.

[@aminadaimee5116]

Huh! all the reading ive done about limewashing said I needed a mask, goggles, rubber gloves, long sleeves etc that I was too scared to do it! But you make it look easy! (well the mixing etc part. the application, we have nice fluffy rollers for and its for an enclosed porch so I think ill be okay)

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

You should wear long sleeves, and gloves and protective eyewear. The formula used in this video has Zero VOC's so no mask is required. The best way to apply this type of product is with a semi stiff brush. The roller isn't going to allow you to cover the mortar joints with nearly as much control (unless the joints are flush with the brick). Good Luck!

[@aminadaimee5116]

@@RENOS4PROSJOES I unfortunately can't find limewash near me. So acrylic latex paint on the brick 😬 says on the can that it's for brick, stucco, masonry, etc. So it will just have to do. Let's hope that since it's brick veneer, it won't cause a massive issue with the house itself 🤞🏽

[@ragnarmarnikulasson3626]

@@aminadaimee5116 you buy calcium hydroxide and mix it with water and you got lime wash. Over here a 30 kg bag og calcium hydroxide will cost me around 30 bucks, probably cheaper where you are. That 30 kg will yeald around 100 liters of wash.

[@roostinrooster5776]

Yall look at Romabio lime wash.. avail at the Depot. If you want out to look painted the rent a PRO sprayer for $100 and 2 costs will look like paint. Or one coat and fan spray some water at to thinly rinse allite off before it fully dries. After it dries, it's very solid, like paint. But, it can be removed with a pressure washer

[@michaellowe2305]

You might consider soaking you filter in vinegar. As a plasterer I soak my finish brush in vinegar from time to time

[@marvinescobar3102]

What Tip did you use brother

[@MAGAMAN]

I really can't tell if you either don't know how to properly use a sprayer, or if you are making it look so bad intentionally. My dad is an old school painter, went through the apprenticeship and all that many decades ago and I have worked with him numerous times and other true professional painters and I have never seen someone use a sprayer like that. It reminds me of a child scribbling in a coloring book. Maybe it has to do with the lime wash, which I have never used or seen used, but you generally would never spray like that while painting.

[@magnusblick6767]

What sprayer did you use for this?

[@DK-ee6kv]

I’m worried my latex sprayer will get damaged because of this. Do you think it will?

[@MAGAMAN]

Warm but not hot, dry and no rain in the future. So you are saying I can't use this in Texas?

[@Davbroo21]

Probably would’ve used a wider fan tip to start that would’ve saved time also a better paint like a higher grade Ben Moore product it would’ve covered better.

[@paulotenorio2842]

Thank you, great video! debating if to do paint or lime wash (it says that paint peels after a few years while lime wash doesnt) but after seen your video i think ill rather do paint. Thoughts?

[@boxelder9167]

Masonry stain.

[@charlesjones1664]

Yeah, what box said! Lol

[@Frederiekje221]

How did it keep up?

[@philindeblanc]

Can this be made using Type S lime?

[@darrenharris2978]

Is better put lime wash by brush ?

[@sandynathan2730]

Hmm. This lime wash deal looks a little trickier than their website makes out. I was planning on doing a rock fireplace and wall. Think I'll look at a few more videos of how to do it. Thanks for your honest presentation. I subscribed to your channel!

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

I will say that there is "an art" to it. It's not like painting with latex paint. You have to mix the product with water and you have to determine how much water to mix depending on the color and transparency you desire. In my opinion, the biggest question you have to answer for yourself up front is whether you want a uniform white color/look or if you want variation in the color/transparency. If you want it to look uniform, just paint it. if you want that old world look, then this product may be what you are looking for.

[@sandynathan2730]

I've been thinking of white-washing, too. Saw a couple of videos on that. I want a mostly not transparent look with a little "show through." I'm glad I'm not in a hurry. Looking forward to more of your tips!

[@lindsayg564]

Hey, I have a 1950s red brick house. I want to lime wash it because the red colour is so vibrant. But now I'm second guessing. I have to paint it because the previous owners destroyed the trim around every window and the entire roofline with white paint. I live in a very wet climate so I think the lime wash is the best option. Ahhh. I wish I could grab a consensus of people to help me decide.

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

You should be fine with either way as long as you use a higher end paint and a higher end primer. The major "issue" is getting a finish that you like. If you are in love with limewash, buy a small container and try it on a small area (like one wall) on the back of the house and see if you can acheive the finish that you desire. If it goes well, buy what you need to complete the project. If it does not go well, you will need to pressure wash the area where you applied limewash before you apply the primer and paint. FYI, pressure washing the limwash will not remove it all, so there is no going back to the way that it was. Good Luck!

[@lindsayg564]

@@RENOS4PROSJOES thanks for the reply, one more thing. I live in a country where I have to make the limewash myself from hydrated lime. So I'm not sure if there is going to be a difference there. You can see my brick color in my profile picture too.

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

@@lindsayg564 I'm guessing that the properties of "real limewash" are at least a little different from the premixed product used here in this video. It may be a good idea to research that specific type of application to cover all of your bases. Good Luck.

[@coreylamberto1984]

Just curious why u just didnt use a 50/50 mix of white exterior paint & water and spray and backroll the brick so it looks more uniform then the over lap lines of a sprayer -

[@anavujovic7839]

the limewash looked good without being distressed

[@vemund77]

Why did you not backbrush the limewash the first time?

[@spunky181]

I hear painting brick it will chip away because the brick has to breath and makes the paint chip after a year?

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

You have to use paint that is designed for brick.

[@tb718w]

How much or range for the line wash on this size house

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

The large container is 4 gallons. The manufacturer specs state that 1 gallon will cover approximately 450 square feet without primer. So that's 1800 sq ft of wall coverage for $250. Cheers!

[@paulbriggs3072]

What precisely was in that bucket? Was it mainly hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide)?

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Here is the exact product and color: amzn.to/3uQ4bBv

[@MAGAMAN]

@@RENOS4PROSJOES There's your first mistake. You bought it from amazon. lol

[@OPTIONALWATCH]

was it a lime wash or a white paint job?

[@rrSJ-eu6ec]

wow was hopeing lyme wash was some type of cleaner but its like paint, wow everyones different but why on earth would you want to paint bricks EVER and yours were in great GREAT shape/looks

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

In my region of the world, nearly every home eventually gets renovated. And when brick homes get renovated, they almost always get painted white or gray. Its been "a thing" here for some years now. BUT, I do understand your point of view.

[@brendaamaynee]

In my opinion adding lime wash looks way better than actually painting .

[@dukeraul624]

@@brendaamaynee I agree, paint is ucky, especially in the future.

[@doloresm7396]

No lime washing the exterior for me. Next possibility exterior chalk paint. Time to review a chalk painting process on the exterior of this old house.

[@nubiarodriguez2596]

What type of paint did you use?

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Primer, then SW Super Paint. Cheers!

[@Frederiekje221]

Lime wash seems to fit better, style wise, with either rural or " romantic" urban houses. Not on mid century houses. Those need a more finished look or they look just neglected.

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

I personally think that it works best on two story houses that get a good amount of sunlight.

[@gulfcoastgal_]

Limewash allows breathability Two articles out mow condemn paint on bricks for moisture caught behind the paint One article blames a recent building collapse on painted brick

[@Greenwashedhipppie]

Love the end result. Not a big fan of the transparent look.

[@pamelaoliveras1402]

Why does it say fail on the video ?

[@angeliaJackson-rd4eh]

What causes lime on brick

[@JC-nc3co]

Do you think this process can be done on a really ugly interior brick floor

[@MrKeane58]

What product did you use ?

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Romabio.

[@MrKeane58]

Thank you

[@susansarver4554]

Color of the lime wash could have effected the color too.

[@imyourhuckleberry4706]

Did alot of research on painting brick and its the worst possible thing u can do to brick. Brick needs to breath, paint doesn't let the brick breath and moisture over time builds up and destroys bricks. Either stain the brick or lime wash it. Again, paint will destroy brick and needs constant maintenance.

[@grassabrutta]

This is Lime, not paint. The particles are large (microscopically). Spraying is likely to always fail. I think a better question is 'Why would someone choose to "paint" over nicely colored and well-pointed clinker brick ?' ... If anything, the homeowner should have requested plastering with a (stucco ?) finish. See Mike Haduck's channel or Kirk Giordano's channel.

[@rationalskeptic1]

I’ll have to disagree with the “paint is about the same price as Limewash” comment. Here’s a snippet from the web that explains why: “You can mix your own limewash using lime putty from hydrated lime. You can find this at a hardware store for $3-$5 for a 50 lb. bag. With this much limewash and some supplies, you could coat an entire 1600 square foot house.”

[@lexandersantana8089]

No way, it’s more like $10 for 10 pounds

[@lexandersantana8089]

Still a lot cheaper then paint

[@roostinrooster5776]

Well... you didn't wash.... you clearly don't understand the product or application procedure. I'm sitting in the yard watching your video in front of my first time, lime wash experiment. Looks awsome, and easy to spray, and easy to WASH giving it the Weatherd look. I sprayed with a PRO sprayer (full size sprayer) and a 515 tip. I mixed 0ne bucket of product with 50%, maybe 60% of bucket water.

[@krisblunt6293]

Boy, you f'ked yo house UP!

[@jacquelinepodgorski7557]

Why didn’t you read or watch videos of using Romabio limewash??? And why aren’t you using a paint paddle stirer???

[@panic-revv85]

German schmear is what you should have done.

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

That would have been another good option.

[@Mandingomarke]

RIP paintsprayer. Lime paint is not att all suited for that type of sprayer

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Paint Sprayer wasn't bad to cleanout and still works good.

[@donnalisti3473]

The reason why this didn’t work for you is that lime wash should never be put on with a sprayer. It’s meant to be put put on the brush and it’s meant to be put on thick then rinsed off.

[@CLS63AMGS]

Why would someone do this to brick it looks terrible????

[@carmenteague8115]

Why on Earth would you put it through a sprayer when it says apply with a brush in the website? Lime has more of a texture than regular paint. Lime wash is not a white paint, it's a technique to look like a white worn brick...

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

The manufacturer's website states on more than one webpage page that this product can be applied with a paint sprayer. I've linked one page below. See the second bullet point under section number 2. romabio.com/classicolimewashhowto/

[@krislind7765]

RENOS 4 PROS & JOES sprayer could handle just need to make thinner. But the brick looked way better that house lost a lot of value.

[@jdrseven]

Hm. I think I'll pass...

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

I completely understand.

[@VanlifeSurvivalist]

Should have brushed this on..... Sprayer is an awful idea

[@adamnonnenmacher7774]

You should never paint over brick. It traps moisture and does not allow the brick to breath. Only limewash or stain brick. I still can’t believe people are painting brick and thinking that’s okay to do.

[@ajohnson929]

Absolute nonsense. Nearly 30 years painting with 20 plus as owner, I can tell you we have painted many brick structures. Painted brick, properly prepared and primed with masonry primer lasts forever. My own home is testament to that as well as every brick structure we have painted. Latex paint breathes. It's porous.

[@albsure4832]

I dont think lime wash looks good on a single story or fit well with a 2 story that has a mix of brick and vinyl or wood siding

[@Mr_Ravee]

I wouldn't lime wash on that

[@STATE.38]

Hey someone who actually wet the brick

[@stevengarner780]

Why waste money on a product and labor on a professional level for a product that only lasts a maximum of 7 years? Quality paint has a lifetime warranty when prepped and applied by a true professional. I am a professional who knows what paint products are capable and incapable of doing. I began learning the do’s and don’ts of painting when I was 9 years old.

[@josemoreno3586]

Do not use paint it lowers the home value and your brick doesn’t get the chance to breathe since brick has pores use a stain

[@Bnguyen276]

Too hard to do. White wash gonna be uneven if you don’t do it by hand.

[@dylanc9275]

lol never the contractors fault if it looks like shit

[@vangrowh601]

Boy you sure fucked this house up

[@themilkman271]

Shouldn’t you change the title to “How NOT to lime wash a house.”??

[@ithacacomments4811]

Use brick stain... not paint. Brick needs to breath.

[@dandylandpuffplaysminecraf8744]

Hon. That is lime putty. Use gloves and a mask with eye protection. It’s caustic.

[@mattpatterson8179]

Do not spray limewash. I am a professional builder

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

This product instructions state that it can be applied with an airless sprayer, and I've linked a video from an airless sprayer distributor that shares best practices for spraying limewash.

[@AdolphusOfBlood]

Real limewash is intended to get you a matte white brick.

[@Claire-yo1nx]

Do not put paint on brick it doesnt let the brick breathe and degrades them. Dont advise that!!!!!

[@RENOS4PROSJOES]

Hi, I think you may be referring to standard exterior paint. I use paint and primer designed for brick and masonry. Every paint manufacturer makes paint specifically for painting brick and masonry. Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Pratt & Lambert, Behr, etc. And believe it or not, in my region of the world nearly every brick home that gets renovated get painted some variation of white or gray. Thank you for commenting.

[@Candisa]

As an owner of a house that has been painted right before I bought it, I can only agree it's a terrible idea. It is only done to hide imperfect or outdated looking walls, but it really doesn't take long for the first bricks to fail. Every bit of paint that falls off takes a little or sometimes not so little layer of the brick with it, it's just terrible. Either leave the bricks bare or do multiple coats of lime wash until you get an even colour, so the wall can still breathe.

[@ajohnson929]

Nonsense. I've painted many brick structures. Pressure washing thoroughly. With high quality masonry primer and two coats of latex paint, the job will last indefinitely. This is coming from a professional painting company with nearly 30 years experience. Painted brick holds up incredibly well.

[@abutterfly7975]

I have seen painted brick in my city crumbling off leaving the brick under the paint exposed. I’ve often wondered what are you supposed to do when this happens, maybe it wasn’t done right. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@handstwister]

Lime wash is completely breathable the part where he messed up was because he sprayed it on instead of using a masonry brush which is somewhere between a paintbrush and a whisk broom.

[@jwlf11]

You screwed their house up bro!!!! You HAVE to use the brush method. You CANNOT lime wash a house using a paint sprayer!!!!! Not a good look. Not downing you bro and I appreciate the video.

[@blockclub8161]

Bro could've cut this video down 10 mins if he didn't ramble so damn much

[@nicholasredick7302]

Damn your application sucks I would never have you touch anything on my home yikes!!!

[@asvinpatel3907]

Waste of time