Wood Panelling, Timber, Plywood + MDF Surface Guide

Limewash is generally not recommended for architectural elements such as architraves and doors. Bauwerk Limewash paints are always completely matte in appearance, which means that they cannot be cleaned like a glossy paint surface. Skirting, for instance, may show scuff marks. Prolonged use and handling may acquire a worn appearance.

Learn More About Durability

Not if you want to have a seamlessly matte appearance and the chance to easily apply a refresher coat in the future. If you want to apply an invisible sealer please test the product as many will alter the colour appearance.

Learn More About Top Coats & Sealers

High quality, natural Limewash needs adequate curing time. This will be longer in colder weather and in humid conditions. The ideal temperature for applying Bauwerk Limewash is 8°–30°C (46°F–86°F). Do not paint if the surface and/or air temperature falls below 5°C(41°F) during application or curing.

Yes, you can limewash wood panelling, here are some considerations regarding the wood of your panel and your intended finish.

What types of wood panelling are suitable for limewashing?

• Best on unpainted softwoods such as pine, ply, and matchboarding.
• Fine on timbers without high tannin content (pine is ideal).
• With timbers that have a lot of tannin content such as Jarrah or Oak, leaching can occur through the paint. It is important to always test the paint on your particular timber.

Can I see the grain of wood if limewashed?

If you’re working with unpainted wood, you can prepare the surface in different ways depending on the look you want—either to highlight the natural grain or to achieve a fully covered finish.

For visible wood grain: apply limewash paint directly to your wood surface.

To cover the wood grain:

• On unpainted timber without repairs or damage: Apply 1 coat of Bauwerk Prep Coat before limewashing.
• On timber that has been repaired or previously painted, sealed and not in a raw state: Lightly sand, apply 2 coats of a high quality water-based primer, followed by 1 coat of Bauwerk Prep Coat. This creates an adhesive surface for the limewash and reduces the variation in the surface.

What about limewashing ceilings or furniture?

Works well on pinewood ceilings, plywood, and decorative furniture — either opaque or as a light wash.

Anything else to watch out for?

Avoid wood fillers where possible — they can show as light/dark spots. Use timber plugs for repairs instead.

No, we don’t recommend limewashing exterior wood.

Why not?
While limewash paint is ideal for exteriors made from naturally absorbent materials like render or stone, exposed wood requires limewash paints that contain extra additives and chemicals to remain durable outdoors. Since Bauwerk paints are made without these additives, they aren’t suitable for exterior wood.

Bauwerk Limewash can be used for unpainted decorative furniture, ply, pine and match boarding. You can use the paint directly on all timber that does not contain high amounts of tannin (new oak or teak, for instance); pinewood is fine. 

You can use Limewash paint on pinewood ceilings, as well as plywood – both as an opaque finish or as a wash where the grain is still visible. 

Our Limewash paints work best when applied to softwoods such as pine and ply which have not been previously painted, this ensures good bonding of the paint to the timber. Where possible, avoid fillers, as they may show up as lighter or darker spots. Use timber plugs to fix imperfections in the woodwork.

Surface Requirements

Lightly sand surface before applying Limewash.

Lightly dust off timber with a clean rag.

Paint Application

Option 1: If your wood is perfect without patches and spots or filler, and or jointing compound you can paint directly over it

Painting directly on wood will allow you to see the wood underneath.

Option 2: If you wish to not see the wood or you are painting MDF,  use our Bauwerk Prep Coat

Step 1. Apply 1 coat of Bauwerk Prep Coat

Step 2. Apply 2 coats Bauwerk Limewash Paint

Option 3: If you have patches and repairs or jointing compounds on either wood or MDF

Step 1. We recommend 2 coats of a good quality undercoat/sealer primer

Step 2. Apply 1 coat of Bauwerk Prep Coat.

Step 3.  Apply 2 coats Bauwerk Limewash Paint

Limewash Application Tips

Dip the brush into the bucket and flick off excess paint. The brush can hold a lot of paint, but should not be dripping. Maintain a wet edge at all times to prevent colour overlays. Do not leave drips or runs. Continue to stir paint regularly while painting.

Allow 1–2 hours between coats. When wet, the colour will appear darker and transparent. As the paint dries the colour will lighten and become opaque.

*Note: We have specially developed our interior Prep Coat as a bridge coat between standard paint and primers to make limewash more durable, and easy to apply. Bauwerk Prep Coat is not a primer. It is important to understand that our Limewash and Prep Coat have no capacity to mask what is on your wall, it allows all the history and the materials of the wall to come through.