Answers to common questions about wall prep, primers, Densifier, sealers and brushes for our limewash, lime paint and Venetian plaster. See all FAQs.
Do I need a primer before limewash or lime paint?
Yes, on drywall, previously painted walls and other surfaces that aren't naturally porous. Lime-Prep Primer gives limewash and lime paint a mineral surface to bond to and helps the color come out more accurately.
Which primer do I need: Lime-Prep, Venetian Plaster Primer or Thrive Primer?
It depends on the finish:
- Limewash or Modern Lime Paint: Lime-Prep Primer.
- Venetian Plaster: Venetian Plaster Primer, usually tinted to match your plaster color.
- Thrive Natural Interior Paint: Thrive Primer, made with the same plant-based binders as Thrive paint.
Lime-Prep and Venetian Plaster Primer are bonding primers, not sealing primers. Thrive Primer can also serve as the water-based sealing primer that goes underneath Lime-Prep.
Can I limewash brick, stone or plaster without primer?
Yes. Unsealed brick, stone, masonry and traditional lime plaster generally don't need a primer. Clean off loose dirt and lightly mist the wall with water before you apply limewash so it doesn't absorb too fast.
Do I need Lime-Prep on wood?
It depends on the wood. Bare, unsealed wood doesn't require Lime-Prep. With high-tannin wood, though, tannins can bleed through the limewash, so a sealing primer followed by Lime-Prep is the safer choice there. Painted, sealed or stained wood always needs Lime-Prep first.
How do I prep new or bare drywall?
Seal it first. New drywall and patches, or any surface that would normally need primer before painting, get a water-based sealing primer such as Thrive Primer. Once that's dry, apply one coat of Lime-Prep, then two coats of limewash or lime paint. The same goes for Venetian plaster with Venetian Plaster Primer.
Can I limewash over existing painted walls?
Yes, with Lime-Prep. Clean, sound walls with water-based paint can take Lime-Prep directly. Limewash brushed straight onto latex paint can't absorb and may streak or wipe off.
What about glossy or oil-based paint?
Use a bridging primer first. Lightly scuff-sand glossy walls, apply a bonding primer made for hard-to-adhere surfaces that accepts a water-based coat, let it dry, then apply Lime-Prep (or Venetian Plaster Primer for plaster). If you aren't sure whether your paint is oil-based, start with a compatible primer.
Should I choose White or Contrast Gray Lime-Prep?
White suits mid-tone and deeper colors. Contrast Gray gives a deeper base that lets white and lighter lime colors show more movement and depth.
How long should Lime-Prep dry before I apply limewash?
At least 12 hours, and overnight is best, at normal room temperature (65–75°F) and moderate humidity. One coat of Lime-Prep is all you need, rolled on with a microfiber roller.
What's the difference between Densifier and sealer?
Densifier goes into your final coat of limewash; sealer goes on top. Densifier gives a harder wall with little to no chalkiness as soon as it dries, without changing the flat look. Mix 1 quart into 1 gallon of limewash for the final coat only. Sealer adds a wipeable layer over densified limewash.
Do I need Densifier, sealer, both or neither?
- Ceilings and walls nobody touches: neither.
- Most walls people brush past: Densifier in the final coat.
- Walls that get the odd splash: Densifier, then Matte Sealer at least 24 hours later.
- Bare brick, stone or masonry: neither, since the surface soaks them in.
Densifier is for interior limewash only, not Lime Paint.
Will sealer change the look or color?
A little. Our limewash sealer is very flat but adds a slight sheen, and it can change the look of deep colors. Venetian Plaster sealer comes in Matte or Semi-Gloss and can also shift color slightly. Always test on a sample first.
Is a sealed wall washable?
No, sealed limewash is wipeable, not washable. Use a damp (not wet) cloth and a little pH-neutral mild soap if needed, and never scrub. Densified, unsealed limewash should only be dusted with a soft, dry cloth. For walls that need regular washing, Thrive paint is washable.
How do I touch up limewash?
Unsealed or densified walls: just brush on limewash, no prep. Sealed walls: apply Lime-Prep over the spot first, because fresh limewash won't bond to sealer. Test your touch-up in an inconspicuous area.
What brush should I use?
Our Limewash Block Brush: 4-inch for tighter spaces and finer pattern work, 5.5-inch for large walls. It also works for primer and sealer. For Venetian plaster, use a plaster knife, not a roller.
Still have a question?
Our team is happy to help, Monday–Friday, 8 am–4 pm CST, at Support@JamesAlexanderPaint.com or 855-695-5333.
