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How We DIY Limewashed Our Brick House (Step-by-Step Guide)

Limewashing is an age-old technique that adds character and charm to your home. If you’ve been considering giving your brick or masonry a fresh, timeless look, Romabio Classico Limewash is one of the best products to use. It’s eco-friendly, easy to apply, and offers the flexibility to distress and customize your finish. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how we DIY Limewashed our brick house, step-by-step, and the exact products we use for preparation, application, and sealing for a fresh transformation.

Left Hand holding 1 liter container of Cristallo White limewash by Romabio next to a brick house wall DIY Limewashed with Cristallo White limewash.

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Why We Chose to DIY Limewash with Romabio Classico Limewash

We wanted to update our home’s brick exterior without completely covering the natural texture of the brick. After researching different options for a few months, we chose Romabio Classico Limewash in Cristallo White for the following reasons:

  • Eco-friendly and non-toxic – It has little to no odor, Zero VOC, and safe for you, your pets, and the planet.
  • Authentic – Made from authentic Dolomite-sourced lime from northern Italy.
  • Easy to apply – You can apply it with a masonry brush or spray it on.
  • Can create a unique, distressed look – Designed to easily distress or wash off a brick surface within the first 2-days following application allowing you to test and create the look you want.
  • Highly durable – Long-lasting, but naturally patinas over time for a classic aesthetic.
  • Breathable – Unlike traditional paints, it doesn’t trap moisture.
  • Artistic Freedom – Create a charming Old World, antique finish, or a matte modern look.
  • One-coat coverage – No need for multiple layers.
  • Cristallo White – A creamy white with warm undertones that adds the perfect soft, natural look.

Limewash vs. Paint: Which Is Right for You?

Many homeowners wonder whether limewash or traditional paint is the better choice for their brick home. Limewash offers a breathable, natural finish that allows moisture to escape, preventing issues like peeling and cracking. It also ages gracefully, developing a patina that adds charm over time. Paint, on the other hand, provides a solid, opaque finish but can trap moisture, leading to potential damage in the long term. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, eco-friendly solution with timeless appeal, limewash is the superior choice.


The Environmental Benefits of Limewash

One of the lesser-known benefits of limewashing is its environmental impact. Unlike traditional paints that may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, limewash is made from natural materials like limestone and water, making it completely eco-friendly. Additionally, limewash absorbs carbon dioxide during the curing process, which helps reduce your carbon footprint. If sustainability is important to you, limewashing is a great way to update your home while being kind to the planet.


Choosing the Right White: Understanding Undertones

Romabio offers several shades of white, each with distinct undertones to complement different styles and brick colors. If you’re unsure which color to choose, consider how each shade interacts with your home’s natural lighting and surroundings:

  • Avorio White – The brightest and most neutral white. This color is great for those looking for a clean, crisp, and modern look without noticeable undertones.
  • Bianco White – Bianco White is the untinted product, which means it’s the whitest white with true cool undertones.
  • Cristallo White – Cristallo is similar to the Avorio, but a shade darker and richer. To us, it’s creamier white with warm undertones that add depth and softness.
  • Riposo Beige – A very light beige that dries to a classic cream. When we tested this color, we noticed slight yellow undertones while it was wet.
Left Hand holding 1 liter container of Riposo Beige limewash by Romabio next to a brick house wall DIY Limewashed with Riposo Beige limewash.
Right Hand holding 1 liter container of Avorio White limewash by Romabio next to a brick house wall DIY Limewashed with Avorio White limewash.
Left Hand holding 1 liter container of Cristallo White limewash by Romabio next to a brick house wall DIY Limewashed with Cristallo White limewash.

How to find the right shade of Limewash

To find the perfect match for your DIY limewash project, grab a few different colors of Classico Limewash in the 1 liter size. Then test the different shades on a small section of your brick to observe how the color changes throughout the day under different lighting conditions. Also feel free to reach out to Romabio at [email protected] and they can send you a color swatch brochure so you can see the differences for yourself.

Romabio whites and neutrals color swatch brochure helf by a left hand in front of a reddish brown brick house wall.

Supplies We Used

Before we started, we gathered the following materials:


Step 1: Prepping the Surface

  1. Clean the Brick: Since our brick was exposed to years of dirt and weathering, we used a pressure washer to remove dirt and mildew first. If you’re working indoors, a damp cloth and mild detergent should suffice.
  2. Protect Nearby Surfaces: We used drop cloths, paper rolls, and painter’s tape to cover our windows, doors, and trim.
  3. Dampen the Brick: Start with a small section. Before applying the limewash, we sprayed the brick surface with water using a garden hose with a sprayer nozzle attached. This step is crucial to ensure even absorption and prevent the limewash from drying too quickly.

Step 2: Mixing and Diluting the Limewash

Romabio recommends diluting Classico Limewash with water to achieve the perfect consistency. The back of the bucket has instructions. Once you start applying the limewash, you can play with the consistency to achieve the look you are going for. Don’t be afraid to test it out and figure out which look you like the best. It’s designed to be distressed within the first 2 days of application so you have a little time to practice.

Dilution Guide:

  • For a thicker, more opaque look: Mix 50% water to 50% limewash.
  • After 50-70 percent dilution with water 1 qt bucket will make 1.5 – 1.75 qt of paint and covers 80 – 100 sq ft.
  • For a traditional, distressed look: Mix 100% water to 100% limewash (1:1 ratio).

How We Mixed It:

  1. Poured the Romabio Classico Limewash in Cristallo White into a 5-gallon bucket.
  2. Slowly added water while stirring continuously.
  3. Used a drill with a mixing paddle to ensure a smooth consistency. It takes a while to mix the two. After our first bucket, we preferred to mix smaller batches so I could stop and put our toddler down for a nap in between. Make sure to cover it when not in use immediately.
  4. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes before applying.

Step 3: Applying Romabio Classico Limewash

We experimented with both a masonry brush and a paint sprayer to find what worked best for our home.

Using a Brush:

  1. We started by wetting the brick with the water hose. Use a heavy mist setting so you don’t soak the brick. If water is running down the bricks, wait and let some of that excess water soak in/evaporate before applying the limewash.
  2. Next, we dipped a large masonry brush into the limewash mixture.
  3. Then we slowly applied the limewash with long, sweeping strokes from left to right on the brick, working top to bottom.
  4. We worked in small sections (about 10 sq. ft. at a time) as we worked our way around the house.

Using a Sprayer:

  1. We filled a paint sprayer with the limewash mixture.
  2. Then we sprayed evenly left to right, from top to bottom in a larger section 15sq. ft at a time.
  3. Then we used a masonry brush to back-brush for an even finish. You can also use the masonry brush to play with the opaqueness of the limewash on the brick.

Step 4: Distressing for a Timeless Look

If you prefer a distressed effect, then selectively rinse areas before the limewash fully dries within 2 days.

  1. Wait 10-60 minutes after application (depending on weather conditions).
  2. Use a damp cloth, sponge, or garden hose to remove the limewash selectively.
  3. You can focus on edges and high spots for a natural, aged appearance.

Step 5: Sealing with Romabio Mineral Shield

To protect our limewash finish, we applied Romabio Mineral Shield. It prevents the growth of algae, moss, and mold, keeping paint looking clean and fresh. It also repels water, reducing patina and extending the life of the limewash to ensure a longer-lasting finish. Most importantly to us, it’s an invisible, clear coating so it won’t discolor the exterior and reduces staining from clay, dirt and grass.

How We Applied Mineral Shield:

  1. We waited 2 weeks for the limewash to fully cure (since we didn’t have any rain in the forecast) before we applied the Romabio Mineral Shield. Make sure the bricks are completely dry before applying.
  2. Since there’s no need to dilute it, we bought this low-pressure sprayer to apply an even coat to the bottom 4 ft. of the brick. We have red clay soil so we wanted to avoid any splashing from the red clay onto the wall during a rain storm.
  3. Ideally you should apply this to the stairs, the bottom portion of walls where the water hits it, and horizontal surfaces. 
  4. Allow it to fully dry 4-8 hours before exposing it to water.
  5. We chose to apply 2 coats since we have red clay soil. But you can apply 1 or 2 coats.

This step repels water, prevents moss/mildew growth, and prolongs the life of the limewash finish.


Answering the Most Asked Questions About DIY Limewashing

When it comes to DIY limewashing, some common questions arise.

  1. How much limewash is needed? For most projects, one coat of diluted limewash is sufficient, but the exact amount depends on the surface texture and desired opacity.
  2. Can limewash be applied over painted brick? Limewash works best on unpainted, porous surfaces like raw brick or stone. Painted surfaces generally require sanding or stripping before application.
  3. Does limewash last? Yes, limewash is durable, but its natural patina will evolve over time. If you prefer a more permanent look, a protective sealant like Romabio Mineral Shield can help maintain the finish. Or consider using Romabio Masonry Flat for a beautiful, permanent flat finish that is naturally mold resistant, toxin-free, and environmentally friendly.
  4. How do I decide on the right look? Test a small patch of limewash on your brick to see how it dries and whether you like a distressed or solid finish.

Tips for Maintaining Your Limewashed Exterior

Maintaining your limewashed brick is easy, but there are a few steps to ensure it looks its best over time. Regular Cleaning: Use a gentle hose spray to wash off dirt and debris. Avoid power washing, as it may remove some of the limewash finish. Touch-Ups: Over time, you may notice areas where the limewash has faded due to weather. Simply reapply diluted limewash to those sections for a fresh look. Sealing for Longevity: Applying a product like Romabio Mineral Shield every few years helps keep the finish intact and protects against moisture-related damage.


What We Learned & Final Thoughts

DIY Limewashing with Romabio Classico Limewash in Cristallo White was one of the most rewarding projects we’ve tackled. It took a lot of hard work, but it gave our brick house a soft, natural, matte, modern look while allowing the texture of the brick to shine through.


Key Takeaways:

  • Dampen the brick before applying to ensure even absorption.
  • Use a brush for better control and a sprayer for larger areas.
  • Distressing adds character and makes the finish look authentic.
  • Applying Mineral Shield protects the finish from rain, stains, and aging too quickly.

💡 Are you considering DIY limewash? Share your questions in the comments below!

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