Drywall + Plasterboard Surface Guide

To be sure of your colour, we always recommend testing using a Sample Pot of limewash.

As your plasterboard/drywall surface will require Bauwerk Prep Coat before applying the limewash, you can sample your chosen colours on the wall surface itself. See the above step-by-step guide for wall preparation instructions. Once your surface is properly prepped, apply your limewash paint samples directly onto the prep-coated wall. When you're done with your samples, apply a final layer of Prep Coat over your samples areas to prevent the swatches from showing through finished paintwork. You're now ready to start limewashing with your chosen colour.

Another method that may be easier is to apply your samples onto a board of similar material to your wall. This enables you to carry the samples around the space and assess them in different lighting conditions.

Bauwerk Limewash Paint is suitable for use on correctly prepared new, sealed or previously painted plasterboard/ gyprock walls when used with Bauwerk Prep Coat.

View detailed instructions in our step-by-step guide above.

Limewash over Bauwerk Prep Coat: 10–15 m² per litre, per coat (2 coats required)

Bauwerk Prep Coat over Previously Painted/ Sealed walls: 6 m² per litre, per coat (only 1 coat required)

Note: Recommendations for coverage are to be used as a guide only, variation in quantity needed will depend on the porosity of the surface to be painted. We always recommend the use of sample pots for an accurate colour representation and consumption for your particular surface and light conditions.

Bauwerk Limewash Paint is suitable for previously painted plasterboard walls, provided they are correctly prepared.

Surface Requirements

Step 1: If your walls are repaired or patched, we recommend 2 coats of a water-based undercoat-sealer/primer to ensure the limewash is evenly absorbed across the surface. This prevents ‘ghosting’ of repaired areas from being visible through the finished paintwork. You can skip this step if your walls are in good condition.

Paint Application

Step 1: Apply 1 coat of Bauwerk Prep Coat.

Step 2: Apply 2 coats of Bauwerk Limewash Paint using a Bauwerk natural fibre brush. 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.


View detailed instructions in our step-by-step guide above.

Yes, you certainly can. Bauwerk Limewash Paint is suitable for newly fitted drywall/plasterboard walls, provided they are correctly prepared.

Surface Requirements

Step 1: Apply 2 coats of a water-based undercoat- sealer/primer to ensure the Limewash is evenly absorbed across the surface. This prevents ‘ghosting’ of the join compound being visible as prominent lines through the finished paintwork.

Paint Application

Step 1: Apply 1 coat of Bauwerk Prep Coat.

Step 2: Apply 2 coats of Bauwerk Limewash Paint using a Bauwerk natural fibre brush. 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.

View detailed instructions in our step-by-step guide above.

If your walls are old and repaired or new, it is very important that they are correctly primed, as Bauwerk Limewash and Bauwerk Prep Coat will not mask what is on your wall. For example, inconsistent materials, may 'ghost' through the final finish.

Surface Requirements

Step 1: If your walls have been patched or repaired, or if there is a mix of materials over the surface, we recommend sealing over these areas with 2 coats of a water-based undercoat-sealer/primer. Sealing the wall ensures a consistent surface and prevents the ghosting of patched areas coming through in the final finish. You can skip this step if your walls are in perfect condition.

Paint Application

Step 1: Apply 1 coat of Bauwerk Prep Coat.

Step 2: Apply 2 coats Bauwerk Limewash Paint using a Bauwerk natural fibre brush. 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.

View detailed instructions in our step-by-step guide above.

Bauwerk Prep Coat works as an absorbent layer for the limewash paint to adhere to on the wall. We have specially developed our Bauwerk 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 Bauwerk 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.

During construction or renovation, it is advisable to schedule Bauwerk painting as the final trade to prevent damage to the final finish caused by other trades or building equipment.

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. 

Not at all—you can limewash your ceiling at any time. Just be mindful not to splash or overpaint the surrounding walls while doing so.

A great tip? Consider hiring a mobile scaffold to make the job easier.

Allow 1-2 hours for each coat of limewash paint to dry, longer in colder weather. While the paint will be touch-dry in a short period, it will continue to cure for about two weeks. Avoid rubbing the walls during this time to prevent marking.