What is Lime Wash?
Lime wash is basically lime putty that has been watered down and can be easily applied to various surfaces. The slaked lime putty can be administered with the natural hue, or just about any color can be added to the limewashing before the actual application. Because the typical lime wash contains small calcite crystals, the finish of the wash will often seem to provide a slight glow in the open light. Lime washing is conducted in the same manner as any type of white wash. The purpose of the lime wash is not to add a total covering to a structure, but to include a thin layer of protection that will help to enhance the underlying appearance of the structure. Like white washing, the lime wash is not a permanent cover. Constant exposure to the elements will eventually wear away the lime washing and a new coat will need to be applied. As an example, a wooden wall that is painted red and treated with a pure lime wash will still appear to be red, just a muted red. The lime wash can be adjuste
A. Lime wash is one of the oldest coatings known and generally used on stonework, plaster and brickwork as a cheap cleansing and disinfectant coating inside and out, a lightener for dark rooms, and a night-light margin for doorways. It was also used as an overall finish to suggest construction from marble, as intended in antiquity (classical Greek statuary and buildings were lime washed as a protective against destructive maritime salts). It was traditionally made from quick lime added to milk with a bit of salt as a preservative, or water with a bit of fat added for water-resistance. It was applied while still hot, using a special wide brush. Cold preparations can be used effectively; the best of these are based on traditional pit-slaked and matured ‘lime putty’ thinned with either milk and a preservative other than salt for indoor use, or water and tallow fat for outdoors. Both can be tinted with alkali-resistant pigments, some of which improve durability. A good lime wash should hav
