External Surface Preparation Guides

If you are building new: your contractor should apply at least two coats of a lime or lime cement render over external masonry walls.

Before rendering ensure all electrical and plumbing installations are completed and adjacent tile levels are set proud enough to receive the final thickness of render as set out below.
Do not add waterproofing or apply water repellant renders, limewash paint does require an absorbent finish.

Walls must be free from adhesion limiting materials, clean and if required dampened with clean water prior to the first render coat.
First coat to be at least 15 mm in thickness with a maximum aggregate size of 2mm. Leave first coat scratched and allow to cure.
Second coat of similar material, choose a the aggregate size smaller if a smoother, less textured surface is desired. 
Apply on dampened first coat to a minimum thickness of 5 mm.

For a more textured finish level and float with a wooden or plastic float.

Alternatively, level and prepare finish with a sponge float. Before surface is setting lightly push all particles that are proud of the surface level with the wall to create a smooth to touch, yet still textured finish.

Ensure all rendered surfaces are protected and remain free from any surface contamination whatsoever.

Schedule painting of rendered surfaces last.

Slightly dampen surface before applying first coat of lime wash paint.

Follow Bauwerk Colour instructions and videos on how to apply the paint.

For lime wash application on an outside facade with previously applied paint it is important to check that the existing paint layers are soundly adhering. If not, no other paint coat will be long-lived when you paint over peeling or blistering older paint layers.

If all is sound please have the surface pressure washed and remove all stains, dirt and grime accumulated over the years.

For Lime wash paints a slightly absorbent surface is the optimum. We have used on a number of projects a neutral coloured factory pre-blended thin-render ((Example: DULUX AcraTex Spray On, or AcraTex AcraSand or similar).

https://www.dulux.com.au/products/details/194x2000

This provides a great looking surface that usually takes care of all cracks and blemishes of the original surface. Your local building merchant may be able to make recommendations as to available to other available brands of the thin coat render. Follow the manufacturers recommended surface preparation and application procedure and then paint into this surface with the shade of BAUWERK colour of your choice.

This option provides an economic and long lasting finish. It would be prudent to select a section on a lesser important wall to apply a sample panel to be ascertain the right shade of colour, consumption of materials and soundness of existing paint layers.

see HERE our detailed guide on how to apply Limewash Paint on top of top of Brick Work