Ghosting
Common causes and solutions to prevent and fix show through on your limewash finish
Q. Joint lines and patched areas are showing on my walls after I finished limewashing â what went wrong?Â
'Ghosting' is a term used if any patched/ repaired areas or plasterboard joint lines show through after walls are completed. Before painting over new or repaired plasterboard/gyprock/drywall surfaces, it is important that the wall is sufficiently sealed to ensure a consistently absorbent (or non-absorbent)Â surface. To do so apply a water based Primer with the specific function to eliminate absorbency differences. Not all primers do have that ability - so ask your building material merchant about the right type of Primer for that job. Apply a minimum of two coats and if in doubt do a Simple Water Absorption Test to see if the Primer has done its job.
Our Bauwerk Limewash Paint and Bauwerk Prep Coat will not seal your wall. Instead, both will allow the history of the wall to come through...different materials within the surface will be visible and come through as a patch that we refer to as 'ghosting'.Â
For some projects that is exactly what is wanted, but for most project a consistent finish is desired and there a properly executed preparation with the right type of Primer is all important.
Q. How do I prevent 'Ghosting' on my limewashed walls?
New Surface Materials
When painting over new set plaster or new plasterboard/gyprock/drywall surfaces we recommend starting with the application of 2 consistent coats of a good quality water-based acrylic primer/sealer before applying Bauwerk Prep Coat. Ensure that repairs and join lines are properly sealed to avoid these lines or repair patches showing through in the final finish. For the best results do not dilute the Primer/Sealer. A quickly applied mist coat is not sufficient.
Previously Painted Surfaces with Patches or Repairs
If you are painting over a previously painted surface that has been patched or repaired you will need to ensure that these areas are also sealed with 2 coats of a good quality water-based acrylic Sealer/Primer. Follow this with one coat of Bauwerk Prep Coat to ensure no ghosting comes through in the final finish. Ensure wall surfaces are clean and free of oil or sticky marks before you proceed with your project, this will ensure that these patches will not ghost through.
Visit our Surface Guides for more application instructions for your surface material
