Texas is one of the best places in the country for limewash, because so many homes are built of brick and native limestone. Whether you can limewash yours comes down to one thing: whether that masonry has ever been painted.
The short version
- Unpainted brick or limestone: limewash, inside or out. No primer.
- Painted brick exterior: not a limewash surface. Our primers are interior only.
- Interior walls: Lime-Prep, then limewash or Lime Paint.
- Summer heat: mist, work in the shade, start early.
Inside your home
| Your surface | What to use |
|---|---|
| Interior drywall or painted walls | Lime-Prep, then limewash or Lime Paint. |
| Brick or stone fireplace | Limewash, following our fireplace guide. |
Can I limewash my home's exterior?
| Your surface | What to use |
|---|---|
| Unpainted brick (ranch and farmhouse exteriors) | Limewash, no primer. Mist first. |
| Hill Country limestone and other porous stone | Limewash, no primer. Mist first. |
| Painted brick exterior | Not a limewash surface outdoors. |
The outdoor rule: Outdoors, limewash goes only on bare brick, stone, concrete or cement stucco. Lime-Prep, Densifier and sealer are interior products, so a painted or sealed exterior can't be limewashed. Lime Paint is interior only. For exterior work, apply when it will stay at least 40°F for 24 hours, and keep the limewash from getting wet for at least 24–48 hours after you apply (3–4 days is ideal).
The Texas climate and your project
Beat the heat.
Hot brick pulls water out of limewash fast. Start early, work the shady side of the house, and mist each section before brushing.
Humidity slows drying.
Along the Gulf Coast, coats take longer. Wait until each one is dry to the touch before the next.
Let brick show, or not.
On exterior brick you can wipe back a damp coat or thin the limewash for an aged look. Most homeowners find they're ready to refresh exterior limewash within 5 years, but it depends on how much patina you want and personal preference.
Limewash is a big commitment on a brick house. Test your color on a hidden section and let it dry fully before doing a whole elevation; limewash dries much lighter than it looks wet.
For brush technique, coat timing and fixes, see How to Apply Limewash.
Six colors for Texas homes
Calcare Limewash
A cream white inspired by limestone, a classic on brick and Hill Country stone
Cachi Limewash
A peach-tan that suits Spanish Colonial and Mission styles
Verde Terroso Limewash
A muted sage for Hill Country homes
Cacao Limewash
A rich brown for ranch-house accents
Burnt Ember Lime Paint
A deep, rustic red like sun-baked clay and hearthstones
Marquee Chestnut Lime Paint
A smoky, earthy brown for dens and studies
Getting it there
Orders ship by UPS, usually within 1–3 business days plus transit time. Need it sooner? Choose expedited shipping at checkout: orders placed by 12 p.m. CST ship the same business day. Orders placed after 12 p.m. CST ship the next business day. See estimated delivery times. Order sample jars first: colors look different in strong local light than on a screen.
