FAQ Hub
Information + Help
Browse the topics below to find what you’re looking for
Here's a quick overview of the most popular questions.
What is Bauwerk Limewash Paint?
We manufacture our paints by utilising a simple elemental cycle of earth, fire, water and air.
Our paints work differently, we make them with clay, minerals and beautiful natural pigments. Limewash is a thin layer of limestone that dries on your wall by taking in carbon dioxide from the air, just as plants do.
Our limewash paint has zero V.O.C* and is made from natural renewable resources, with a PH level of 14 it is free from biocides, formaldehydes, and preservatives with natural antibacterial qualities. Our paints are suitable for a high-humidity environment.
Limewash is not film-forming and therefore not prone to blistering or peeling, even in high-humidity environments such as bathrooms. BAUWERK Limewash paint is made from natural materials which is different from a conventional low or zero V.O.C.* You can even paint and sleep in the room on the same day.
*V.O.C Volatile Organic Compounds are solvents used in coatings, paints, and inks., they become gasses that are emitted into the room.
How are Bauwerk limewash colours created?
BAUWERK colours are made using natural pigments, sourced from all over the world, to create a range of colours that celebrate the innate and natural beauty of pigments. We do not use tinting machines or industrial processes to create our colours rather we draw on our years of experience and eye for colour creation. Our colours are especially inspired by what we see in nature, as everything we need to understand about colour can be found there.
Millions of micro-crystals are formed when our paint cures, creating a unique luminosity and depth of colour. Limewash paints have been used for centuries to preserve our built environment. Especially interesting to understand for exterior application, that they will not alter the permeability of your wall surface – moisture can freely escape and your walls will keep ‘breathing’. Not all limewash paints are created equal, we are passionate about what we make, and we believe what we leave out of our limewash is important as what we put in.
Can I paint with limewash paint in bathrooms?
Our paints are suitable for a high humidity environment. The paint is not film-forming and therefore not prone to blistering or peeling, even in high humidity environments such as bathrooms. Our paint is also naturally anti-bacterial and will resist mould. The paint can be used on all wall and ceiling areas, except for the inside area of a shower or the immediate area adjacent to a bath. We would also recommend that you use a splash back behind the sink and toilet areas, as lime paint is absorbent and can become stained by toothpaste. BAUWERK Limewash Paint is not a water-proofing material, it is water resistant.
Can I paint with limewash paint in kitchens?
In a kitchen you can use Bauwerk Paint anywhere, except where it may come in contact with fat/oil/grease (behind the stove, for instance), as this may discolour the paint.
Where is your price list?
You find a price list for our paints here
I got lime blooming / white spots on the surface, why do I get it and how can I fix it?
there are two reasons for so called lime bloom:
1 the paint was applied in cold weather or on a cold surface (5 degree C or lower)
2 the paint was worked to hard with your brush (not enough paint on the brush and rubbed too long across the same surface)
for the first reason wait for warmer days or heat your room and re-apply one more quick coat.
for the second reason apply one more quick coat and let the bristles do the work (hold the brush at right angele to the wall). Apply swiftly and do not put too much pressure on the brush.
Where is Bauwerk Colour lime wash paint being made?
We produce our paints in Australia and Germany and distribute from either location to various countries across the globe.
Where do I find technical specifications?
All technical specifications, MSDS, Tech Data Sheets and Test reports can be found here
How can I get more Texture?
All darker tones of our colours develop more texture than lighter colours or whites.
Lighter shades can be overlayed with another shade of colour if more texture is desired or a slightly darker shade of the colour can be applied.
How can I get less texture?
All lighter shades of colours develop less texture.
If you have a darker shade and want to get a less textured finish apply the paint with a brush in the usual manner and immediately follow up with a sponge float and diffuse the texture with gentle circular movements. Practice on a sample board before applying it to your wall surface!
What is the colour code of your paint shade for matching it with another paint brands colours?
A direct comparison to conventional paints is not possible. Bauwerk Lime paints do react and interact with light a lot more than ordinary paints, as they form millions of micro-crystals in the micro pore structure of your substrate. That is also the reason why Bauwerk Lime Paints scatter light like a diamond, unlike “normal” paints that reflect light like a mirror. That gives our colours the dynamic and emotional depth for which they are loved by so many customers.
Scratched wall surface - how do I fix it?
There is not a lot that can be done, no matter what paint, when it comes to scratch protection. Sealer or protective coats do contain a lot of chemicals that we try to avoid, often change the appearance and do get damaged regardless. ice a wall is sealed it becomes harder to repair.
As a design tip for future projects, where you have the chance to influence the wall substrate:
The ideal lime wash substrate is a lime or (in high traffic areas) a cement based render. We found those to be the most resilient and long lasting finishes. The same goes for concrete or brick walls. For those substrates the paint is applied directly, without the need for primers or Prep-Coat. Such wall finishes are also a zero VOC finish.
Can you provide a match of the closest RAL colour to limewash paint?
Unfortunately it is not possible to match BAUWERK Colour lime wash paint to a RAL colour per se. Lime wash paints develop millions of tiny micro crystals when they are painted on. Those crystals scatter the light similar to a diamond - depending of your viewing angle the colour appears slightly different.
That dynamic appearance is the beauty of lime wash paint; and a RAL colour match should be determined on site if a close match is required.