Comparison Between Whitewash & Lime Wash Painting
In contrast to latex paint, lime wash is a particular kind of whitewash that uses a mixture of limestone, color, and water. Either lime wash or latex paint can be used to whitewash brick. Both water-based procedures are effective on porous surfaces like brick. By covering the bricks with a thick, thin layer of paint, whitewashing softens their original appearance. While applying a thin layer of paint also includes lime washing, the paint may be readily removed within five days if you're not satisfied with the outcome.
Whitewash Painting
- Applying water-based paint and water to brick is referred known as "whitewash painting." The brick's inherent colors are muted by the application of this thin coat of paint, enabling some brick to show through. Even the most inexperienced DIY novice can handle whitewashing reasonably easily.
- Depending on the extent of the area to be coated, it doesn't cost much, and the process goes relatively quickly. There you have it, then! Your outdated brick fireplace can breathe new life into your space by being white washed or lime washed. If you like an eggshell white or a soft grey, you can select the hue that is ideal for your room by choosing your paint color for either approach.
- Both painting techniques let you select the paint color and quantity you wish to use in order to achieve the desired appearance. Either of these painting methods may give a worn-out old fireplace new life in only a few hours, whether you like a more solid whitewashed look or a more distressed "old world" style.
| Pros | Cons |
- Cheap.
- Easy to apply.
- Dries fast.
- Can be done with paint around the house.
- Will last 20-30 years with no maintenance required.
| - May require several coats depending on desired look/coverage.
- Dries fast, meaning no grace period to determine if you like the look.
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Lime Wash Painting
The limestone used in lime wash paint has been crushed to make putty. The putty is then diluted with water. Although you can get colored variants as well, it is typically white. The effect is a matte, chalky appearance. Because lime wash paint "breathes" readily, moisture won't be able to adhere to the bricks. However, since your fireplace is located inside your home, dampness shouldn't be an issue. If you don't want to manufacture your own lime wash, a product called Romabio has the paint already blended for you, making the process quite simple. The fact that you have around 5 days to quickly remove the paint if you're not happy with the results is a benefit of this procedure.
| Pros | Cons |
- More dimensional look than whitewash.
- Easy to apply.
- Very easy to distress, wipe off parts of paint.
- Resistant to odor, moisture, fungi, and insects.
- Sinks into porous surfaces so texture of brick remains the same.
- All-natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly.
- Hypoallergenic.
- Cheap to make yourself.
- Can be removed up to 5 days after applying.
| - May require several coats depending on desired look/coverage.
- Expensive if buying pre-mixed.
- Difficult and hazardous to mix yourself.
- Hard to match colors of batches if mixing yourself.
- Color becomes much lighter after drying, good idea to test before you paint.
- May need touching up every 5 years or so.
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