Painting with Limewash (for the First Time)

Limewash (also known as white wash) is essentially lime putty mixed with water. It's mixed quite thin and applied like a paint over lime plaster to provide a layer of protection. It also helps with humidity and mould issues. Lime wash is a natural, traditional and affordable way to paint a room. It sounds simple but what is it like to work with? What's the best way to apply it? And, most importantly, what does the finish look like? Let's find out...
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Thank you to all the lovely people who have adopted kittens or donated to our re-homing and sterilisation program. More details on the GoFundMe page gofund.me/13f54278

[@chronicfish]

There is *NO* other channel, where I would watch two humans apply "invisible paint" on a wall for 20 minutes straight ...and then complain that the video was too short! ❤

[@evahegarty741]

Have you discovered “Escape to rural France” yet? Fantastic channel also! A guy single handedly taking on restoring a ruined castle!

[@ChristineKelly1000]

@@evahegarty741 I watch it too.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

😂🤣😂

[@stevewoodw]

I agree. It was like an April Fool's Day video. I wonder what they will do on April Fool's Day now? Maybe tell us about the invisible donkey they've bought and groom it in the garden.

[@carolbulmer8253]

Me too! These two rock❤️❤️ 0:00

[@bibatuga5501]

Hey family. In Portugal we call this "caiar". The area where this technique has been used for hundreds of years is in the "Alentejo". Applies with a "pincel de caiar" and never sands between coats. It is extremely hygienic, but in the "Alentejo", (as it is the hottest part of the country), it is used outdoors to reflect the sun's rays and keep houses cool. When applying indoors, the ideal is to place a light obliquely on the area to be "caiada" to see where it is "wet", otherwise many parts will pass without lime. 😁💪🤙

[@g.f.-w.9130]

Here in Austria traditional farms used Limewash mainly in their stables and the reason I was given is that it contributes to the hygiene because it is kind of poisoneous for insects and bugs, especially flies that usually pester cows tremendously.

[@lazygardens]

Yes - the high alkaline pH prevents them from sheltering in the cracks.

[@jacquelinerichardson9771]

I think this house once it has all been completed, will be such a well built place, you really are making everything about the house in good condition and doing such a fantastic job, be very proud of yourselves.

[@antoniomaximino1410]

In Alentejo (but not only) you can observe many houses with lime painting. As we do it, is : each coat is painted all in the same direction and the others on contrary directions. If done correctly is a very good substitute for `normal` painting.

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

I got why you did the lime wash now! It makes sense to refine the process in small steps before you tackle the whole house. You're methodical and thoughtful in your processes, and I've learned how to tackle my own projects by watching you.

[@kimsheather3745]

Like everything you two do, it’s a dam good job. It looks beautiful to me. There is nothing like lime plaster, it’s so organic and it’s not meant to be perfect

[@jeantriplett8478]

Now that's entertainment!!! You two are better than a vaudeville act. !!!! Always look forward to your next episode! Keep up the good work. Have followed you from the beginning and will continue.

[@63Clocks]

Thank you for being animal rescuers 🥰. Great work as usual, looking good!

[@talesfromthecaveside]

We have almost finished limewash in one part of our project. We took the cave house back to bare Spain, have applied lime render and now lime wash. We found it took about 5 layers of 'single cream' consistency before we achieved the brilliant white we wanted. The type of brush definitely makes a difference. We started with brushes like yours, but the traditional round brush is much better. Also, from our experience, it needs to go on wetter and be spread about, but don't let your brush go dry.

[@janehodgetts6078]

Yes I remember now from helping as a Child the brush was round.

[@paulan5989]

I have vague memories from helping as a child and the consistency was a bit thicker. The first time requires more coats for coverage. It ages to a soft white/cream and then it’s just a coat a year if you prefer brighter white. I love the look of limewash. It is so soft and fills me with nostalgia

[@janehodgetts6078]

When I was a child living on a farm in England in the 50's every wall was lime washed and we children had to help to do it. Yours looks far better than I remember them to be. It does give a lovely country look to the place, keep up the good work.

[@caraneal2761]

I did lime wash shitly and with poor preparation on a rocky wall and it looked ok in the end if you don’t look too closely! It’ll be fine, imperfections are part of life!

[@fodorvarad1]

I remember in our region (east Hungary, West Romania) in villages the people used a lot of limewash. They made a mix with water, very dilute. so much, than the first coat looked so watery! but after drying the most beautiful white! Because it has antibacterial effect they used to limewash chickencoops, and cows, hosrses, i mean for every animal houses. I remember they were saying: Once limewash, never use other tipe of paint, because it will fall down... Hope, theese blabla words make some sense for You. Hugs!

[@tejolisboa]

My God! I felt like watching Monthy Pyton. First time I heard paint sound!

[@lieuwina]

Your house is coming on beautifully and the two of you work so hard.

[@kerrylynnparsons7879]

“You put it on wrong!”-- KIDDING!!! 🤣🤣🤣 You are providing a varied education for those of us who watch your channel and your projects!!! 😎🌻🦋

[@davidfellowes1628]

It was always a wash that we put on adobe walls. It often was very thin that had a startling white result

[@glenyscallaghan1195]

On camera it looks good smooth and a good colour.

[@sarahnd]

Can definitely hear the frequency difference in the rough vs smoother parts of the wall. I used to love the texture of lime wash walls when I lived in India 45 years ago. They are probably mostly using other products now, but I would suppose that in the smaller villages the old practices still go on. Too bad you can't just pop over to have a look 😄 We are also installing a heat pump in the next few days, but first we have to make several holes in the 60cm thick stone wall - ha!

[@ChristineKelly1000]

You are being too hard on yourselves. Those walls look great. Crack on!❤😊

[@toddritchie9137]

Nothing like BBQ Chicken from the grill! Good reason to have chickens on the homestead! Time to see which chickens will become BBQ Chicken? Heading out to the chick coup right now! Yummy!

[@geraldinebinghamgadsden1920]

Watching paint dry has acquired a whole new meaning. Better than the programme on the telly right now.

[@colly1952]

You two are awesome! Nothing you do is boring. I'm so glad utube suggested your channel some time ago. I still haven't had time to watch all your videos yet.

[@christine2014]

What patience you have! I wish I had even half of it... Have you heard of Kreidezeit casein-bound + marble dust lime paint? It comes in powder form, you have to mix it with water just like your lime putty. It's very economical and looks beautiful on lime plaster. Also midly washable. Totally breathable of course. I used it throughout my own house (which has lime plaster on all walls) 20 years ago and even painted the wood ceilings with it. Coverage is amazing, application is very quick with a roller. Smooth and velvety to the touch. And no, I don't have shares in Kreidezeit!

[@mompuff]

You guys are awesome!! I love the “imperfection” on the wall!! 🤗 It gives character & it tells a story!! 👏🏻❤️🇺🇸

[@alicekenworthy9603]

Love the way you make your videos so interesting and full of fun facts … well done you two 👏👏 Durban SA🇿🇦

[@almareynoso6579]

Wow! Your are doing a beautiful job. You are guys hard working!!! I love your farm and the way you transforming your house and vegetables garden 😅❤Congratulations 🍾

[@1whitecottagelife770]

Lime wash is also used to paint the trees trunks about 3-4 feet up from the ground, it keeps the bugs from infesting them, I think. Oh, and I think you’re supposed to use a round brush

[@annettelatham2256]

Maybe you should get two more new chickens so the rescue one won’t be the odd one out and get picked on?? 🐓 🐓 🐓

[@evahegarty741]

We got 10 chickens in total a few years ago. Through foxes and other things we were down to 5. So we then decided to get 5 new ones (young poulets) but the older ones don’t seem to want to accept them. During night time they share the same coup but they won’t share their feed so we have to do that separately. They also stay in two flocks during the day. We were advised to use a diluted spray of vinegar to spray them all so that they all have the same smell…might have helped a little but not entirely. If anyone has any other tricks….please share.

[@MrEksatmisis]

Hi, They usually apply limewash with: "Limewash Brush Round" attached to a long pole. It's a very quick way of painting.

[@darvenova]

The traditional limewash brush in Bulgaria is also round, about 12 cm in diameter

[@GoodLuckLive]

Never thought I'd enjoy a video in which a chap strokes a wall whilst asking sincerely what my feedback to the sound of the wall could be 😂

[@radiogramgramophonetoons5802]

Did that once, strange after normal painting. You’re painting on what looks like water then in about 3 or 4 days it turns white……… magic 😀

[@leafside]

Usually the consistency is more watery than single cream because otherwise it can crack and get a bit flakey. They traditional round brushes are so much easier and if you attach it to a pole you can get to the top easier… just splash it on, it will take a few layers to make it a really nice thick white and eventually will make the walls beautiful and smooth, in 5 years time 😊 definitely worth the extra work though in comparison to paint.. it just looks so beautiful and is healthy for the walls. I’m sure when you are finished it will look beautiful! X

[@Winter-ir9tx]

I'm really enjoying watching you two, you are now a big part of my weekend morning routine. I probably won't ever do a lime plaster wall, but if there is one thing I learned seeing you two go is that anything is possible if you put your heart into it. Keep it up! edit : oh and you said the jury is still out about the finish, I say it's beautiful despite the imperfection : Wabi sabi!

[@luminyam6145]

My goodness, it looks lovely.

[@maggiefriedrichs777]

Love you two and your honest representation of your life

[@lindawhite5006]

I really enjoy your videos! Thank you for taking your time and sharing with us. 🇺🇸

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

I would think one of the benefits of the multiple limewash coats would be to smooth out and fill in any tiny "shelves" caused be the plastering that would catch dust and show as dirty years down the road. It's going to be beautiful.

[@lesliekwan6654]

Great job on the lime plaster and painting. I remember my father doing this every year in December for Christmas

[@laughalot61]

Looks great and a good idea to test the finished look before moving on with the rest of the rooms. 🥰

[@florentinalily]

looking great! I use Distemper inside the house and limewash outside? The limewash can be mixed to a double cream consistency and onto a sprayed (with water) wall. I find that its dusty unless it can be seasoned by the weather. On the outside I put an initial three coats and a top coat with a mug of linseed oil to help as a weather coat. The mistake that most people make with it (my family have been using it as farmers for four generations) is a coat that is too thin. I have been using it since I was sixteen and its still sticking to houses I have painted on salisbury plain; the welsh marches and the side of a hill on Dartmoor. I have an interesting recipe for both an old welsh farmhouse (which involves fat and boiling it with the lime) and an original recipe for the Whitehouse.

[@reannejarvis9464]

Yes the texture and the sound came across. Progressing nicely 🇦🇺🎸⚡️🤘🏿🤘🏼💋❤️

[@joaoteixeira393]

This brings back lots of memories… growing up just north of Lisbon I did lots of whitewashing (‘caiar’ in Portuguese) when I was a teenager. Then it got out of fashion and was replaced by latex paint. Fortunately it is making a comeback. I follow your channel and I’m learning a lot. I just inherited a small house that is at least 200 years older than me and it needs. Lot of work. I can’t wait to start working on it. By the way, you should get the correct brush for whitewashing. It will save you. Lot of time and effort.

[@601salsa]

I am so happy for you guys. All your hard work is moving forward into the next stage of the process. ❤ wishing you all the best

[@jamietinker]

Very gratifying to see your progress

[@annettemccabe3669]

The Indie Project...did this about a year...or more ago ...many layers ...turned out beautiful ❤️

[@rb9580]

Lol! Came inside for a quick coffee while procrastinating today's start to limewashing the front gable wall of my cottage and found this! Did the first gable last Saturday and it survived a tropical downpour on Sunday. Limewash is so easy, cheap and forgiving that I don't know why more folk don't use it! I add a dash of linseed oil to my limewash which helps to cut down on the "lime-iness" of the finished product.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Interesting, do you add the linseed oil to each coat, or just the final one?

[@rb9580]

@@MAKEDOGROW I just add it to every batch that I make up, but I am using it outside as an added layer on an already whitewashed building and always hoping to get away with a single coat. I find it stops the surface being dusty if you brush against it and makes it smell wonderful! It also gives the building a slightly "old white" colour when it is fresh, rather than a brilliant, need-dark-glasses-to-look-at-it effect.

[@rb9580]

Oh, and I notice that you mixed the liquid back in before taking the putty out of the bin. Nothing wrong with that, but I tend to reserve that liquid for use in stabilising dry, dusty stonework before lime-pointing. Where you are spraying with water before pointing, I am wetting with the water from the putty bin (which is a weak calcite solution) which I believe helps to bind and refresh the old dry mortar in the wall.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

@@rb9580 oh, interesting… might save it for the pointing we’re hoping to do over the summer

[@stevewoodw]

If you are painting pebble-dashed walls or roughcast concrete, you can use a roller that has a much thicker pile than a normal roller that you'd use on walls with emulsion. I was wondering if that would work to get the limewash onto the walls and then you could work on areas that needed the limewash distributed better over the surface. It might save a bit of time, especially if you used an extension pole so you can paint larger areas faster.

[@BLAZERSEAMS]

Personally, I'd throw half-buckets at the top of the wall and "direct" it towards the floor with brushes....

[@badwater]

This was almost as interesting as watching paint dry! Kidding... I loved it... very relaxing. Cheers from Alabama!

[@beesareonthewhatnow3305]

I love watching your videos. You just get in there and take care of business. No mucking about, just get it done.

[@wafamughrabi8723]

You guys are amazing because you keep on finding new ways to do your work.If I were you,I would have used those laser beams to divide the wall into grids so you can see where to paint that limewash since it's too thin&hard to see.Keep it up

[@veraoliveira5059]

Excelent job, as always.

[@user-vy3vk2sb8p]

Love you two and your channel!

[@johnw540]

Been really enjoying watching you guys progress with this amazing project. You’re doing a great job! 👏👏👏 Watching from Sydney, Aus 🙌

[@linajackson4545]

And I am watching from Melbourne, Australia

[@BlackJesus8463]

Nice job guys! It's looks really good and I've never seen anyone doing this stuff before. 👍

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

I remember as a child lime washing the pantry. It was 'normal' to see brush strokes and I do remember the relative humidity would cause the lime paint to flake after a while... (Geordie land weather🙄. 😁), so we'd lime washed the pantry a'fresh every year; scraping off the loose paint first.. then repainting. It is a great deterrent re food mites etc. Hope the chicken has settled well💞🌻🙏.

[@kevinnoone8828]

ANOTHER GREAT JOB GUYS ❤

[@ilonakatalindako-tolman5545]

Yes ..a challenging work depending on what was previously done and not allowed to be out the old stilling ....it surely looks so much better and there are many choices to give you a very personal decoration and style...it is surely getting way better than what you had to start with. Portugal has shuck an unique influence with different invasions they suffered. I lived in Portugal for some time in Lisboa and Coimbra, and travelled around south and north areas, each with a little different stiles, specially down south. Loving how you both were talking and sharing your many feelings in the process, I think it must have been a very motivating for you both. Anxious seeing how it will be when all is done 😊🎉

[@warpspeed9877]

You are doing it right. You can also sand in-between the coats but make sure you're done with sanding after the second coat, so that every bit of the wall has at least two solid coats on it.

[@MAKEDOGROW]

Great, thanks. I think next time we’ll definitely do more sanding before we start

[@tommytom2065]

14:24 negli anni 50 vedevo mio zio imbiancata i muri esterni e interni con la calce usava lo spruzzo apompa a spalla lil giorno dopo tutto era candido..la calce disinfettava nellantichita combatteva le epidemie co si mi diceva 😅😅❤

[@zlatahume3134]

Limewash develops over the years so be patient and it will good and it suit the lime plastering 😊

[@miriammuskal5402]

It looks beautiful You worked so hard

[@nunopires2106]

I hope your portuguese neighbors are treating you well and show how welcoming our people can be :)

[@suzannecuerrier279]

Great video. Thanks

[@pamelahardy9937]

well done!

[@terrylink6174]

I think it looks great 😊

[@cheskydivision]

You will definitely perfect your technique by the time you finished the last wall.

[@daviemaclean61]

There's nothing so rewarding as painting white on white😆

[@DeirdreHickey-nx8nt]

Great work guys. I think you are doing stunning work. Keep it up❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@nomes4493]

Kris Harbour has a KZbin channel he has white washed his earth bag shed I believe. Great watching might get some more tips for you 👋🏻 from🇦🇺

[@bikeridernz6169]

I have done lime wash before. Need to use a '"grass brush" (big grassy brush) which gets full of lime wash and lime wash runs down the wall in copious riverlets....(ie. it holds LOTS of lime wash)

[@MAKEDOGROW]

And why is that better than a traditional brush (other than having to go to your bucket less frequently)?

[@alzera473]

I have also done on my cement flooring with a broom and apart from making everything look super clean it seemed to chase ants away. We used to use lime wash over our plastic tunnels in summer to cool the tunnel down and stop the heat through the plastic. I think on a wall a block brush is best, because it is not like regular paint that kinda spreads, it sits where you smear it.

[@kevinman5019]

Interesting stuff.

[@jsw-farmer4140]

Fab as ever guys. You can use a roller for lime wash. Works really effectively

[@layna8924]

HELLO KYLIE & GUY...THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS 'PERFECT' ON THIS EARTH...JUST SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT OF MEDIOCRE...ALL THE BEST...🙏;)

[@Pete-nl8ok]

Interesting technique, I'm curious to see the outcome.

[@chadelaeva]

I fallow a young Bulgarian couple and they bought an old house in the mountains. They used straw with glue for tiles and water and “ painted “ the walls with it ( instead of clay) but he made the straw quite tiny and the effect on the walls was great. Covered all imperfections and looked unique. I think you guys are doing an amazing job. I can’t wait for the finish project. I know it will take a long time but that means we can all enjoy a lot more videos.

[@annakovacs5866]

What is the name of the channel?

[@jennichristie5264]

Had to giggle at the two hand rubbing sound comparisons! Pretty much the same on screen 😁😁

[@simoneclarke5104]

We were hoping to meet the new chicken!

[@seamusfahey6165]

hi - husband (who was building guy at 5 star time share in Edinburgh) used to hire in the top guys in the trades and his fav. was "Pete the Painter". Said Pete would put the lime wash into the pump sprayer you have, spray it on and then just go over with a brush. Much faster and easier to see where it has been applied. Hope it might help. We both love your channel.

[@avrilneilson8005]

Looks lovely guys. Noice as Kath Day Knight would say 😊

[@CliffUK49]

Rougher looks the best.

[@craig_ramjet990]

Good morning from Texas. Whoops... forgot to get my coffee. Hang on!... Okay I'm ready now. Hit it.

[@davidstoddard9160]

Many farmers used lime wash inside of barns to prevent mold from the humidity from the animals in the barn. It protected the lumber from insects and as stated from mold. At one time I think it was required to improve the rating of your milk sold too.

[@anamagalhaes7571]

Eu acho que ainda fica mais bonito com irregularidades.

[@sharongaines3043]

I love your commentary its so fresh and interesting. I feel for your chicken problem, each one should have a friend💕 Cant you roller or even spray your limewash on, you would only need to tie in with a brush on corners etc. Good luck, your defiantly going to need it with the whole place to do. 😁 Xx

[@rayw4460]

Do you remember in the fifties, they used to add a touch of reckitts dolly blue to the whitewashto make it look whiter. Dolly blue was also added to the was tub after soaking white collars and shirts for the same reason

[@vickiturner9392]

My mum used to make her own lime wash but hers was thicker than yours. Good luck !!❤️❤️

[@ahzzz-realm]

Good learning project, nice job. I would have had to crush some blueberries or raspberries in that bucket...

[@rolandtb3]

Could hear the sound and see the textured finish between the top steel trowel areas vs the lower non steel trowel areas. Need brighter light to differentiate between freshly painted lime. There is a slightly darker color when wet. When we used lime paint, our slurry was thicker than your first mix. The final finish textured finish was less important. The goal was to lighten and brighten. The bristle brush was wider, about 10 - 12 in, experiment with bristle length and see what works for you and several layers were applied. The goal was to inexpensively cover imperfections, reflect light, reduce heat. Do some experiments. Cut some throw away boards. Apply the layers of lime plaster as you want to vary. On the non-troweled areas, brush on lime wash at different slurry consistency. Allow to dry. Re-apply several layers 3, 5, 7 and compare the differences. Repeat with different bristle thickness and length. Experiment with various rollers to determine if any are suitable. In time and practice with repetition, you will customize your technique. Does humidity and temperature affect your mix slurry consistency?

[@christinefuller3168]

From what I can see, I love it! I think you're being way too hard on yourselves! 🤗🤗

[@nancibishof6462]

It is always better to have an area that gets less viewing to test things out to learn new skills and where and how to improve the techniques used.

[@annt8203]

" This is not a 'How to' video, its a 'What Happened' video." 😂😂😂 Best line from a DIY video ever.

[@deboracarpenter1103]

I think the walls look great are u expecting a wall board look because lime doesn't look just like a wall board ..does it ? Love u guys ❤❤

[@doraparker2540]

You should try doing it with a big round brush. This is a old fashion technique that I remembered seeing done at my mother's house in Brazil about 50 years ago. The result is beautiful but it's too laborious; they most have some newer way to do that by now!

[@dawnpetz9085]

I don’t have a problem with watching y’all put on ‘invisible paint’ because I like listening to y’all. You’re funny & interesting. One question tho - why didn’t you use a regular sized roller? I would think it would make the application more ‘visible’ cause of the size of the roller & the way it is applied versus a brush. Glad to hear that the kittens are finding good homes & that the chicken is being taken in. Poor thing was probably traumatized. Good video, as usual!

[@kathleenpitt1981]

I was going to suggest a roller for the lime wash and also using the laser lever to segment the wall so you know where to apply the wash. To be honest, I thought the wall looked finished before you started. I enjoy your comments on screen. Thanks.

[@farmerconnie8172]

I think lime wash is typically applied with a big round brush. In Spanish what you are doing is called “enfoscar”. If you ever visit any of the “white villages” in the south (so called because all the houses are whitewashed) you will see women doing this work. Traditionally done by women

[@ninemoonplanet]

The lime "wash" etc was cheap, and after using open indoor fires, coal, wood, etc, the walls had dark patches. People needed to get a healthier (well, mostly healthier, given a complete lack of hygiene about various bodily functions) so a quick "wash" of lime took most of the stench out, stains away, and dingy interiors looked better. Modern gas stoves are what I had to deal with, removing the condensates, the dingy floors and walls (windows frequently cleaned). No fun, then or now. You've got the walls much better than I admit I could with years of practice. 👍

[@assuncaomeireles198]

Boa tarde ja estou a ver que a casa ja está com outro aspecto mas nao me leve a mal as paredes sao pintadas com um rolo fica muito melhor a pintura e nao fica manchada e tambem é muito mais facil. Obrigado God bless you ❤❤

[@paulobnogueira]

For a better final result I used to add PVA glue, I painted my whole house interior and exterior.

[@carole4119]

Yes and butcher paste used finally and polished Work..however in Adobe houses looked great.