Services · Finish
Lime Wash.
Hand-applied lime wash on stucco, brick, and stone — a breathable, mineral coating that develops a cloud-soft patina over decades.
What it is
Lime wash is hydrated lime thinned with water and pigmented with mineral oxides. Applied in multiple thin coats, it bonds chemically to mineral substrates and produces a soft, layered surface that reads more like a dyed stone than a paint film.
Unlike paint, lime wash does not peel — it weathers. The earliest coats erode first, exposing slightly different tones underneath, which is why correctly applied lime wash improves over thirty- and forty-year horizons.
Our process
From the first site visit to the final coat.
Every project follows a sequence — refined over thirty years and adapted to the substrate, climate, and finish system.
- 01
Substrate dampening
The wall is misted to receive the wash and slow the cure.
- 02
Thin coat application
Wash brushed on in thin, uniform passes — three to five coats typical.
- 03
Cure and patina
Carbonation cure over 24–72 hours; patina develops over the first year.
Common questions
Lime Wash — frequently asked.
Can lime wash be applied over painted brick?
Only if the existing paint is removed or fully open. Lime wash must bond to the mineral substrate; a film-forming paint blocks that bond.
How long does lime wash last?
Properly applied, 25–40 years before any refresh. The wash thins gradually rather than failing in patches.
Related work
See related services.
Finish
Lime Base Stucco
Lime-based stucco bodies — the breathable substrate behind every authentic lime wash and Marmorino finish.
Learn moreExterior
Natural Stucco
Lime- and clay-based natural stucco exteriors — the original European technique. Breathable, mineral, and patina-rich.
Learn moreSpecialty
Potassium Silicate Paint
Mineral silicate paint — bonds chemically to mineral substrates. The breathable, archival alternative to acrylic exterior paint.
Learn more
Portfolio
See lime wash in our gallery
Ready to talk through your lime wash project?
Tell us about the project and we'll walk through it with you and put together a proposal.