How to paint a lime-wash look on your wall?
Why we recommend using lime-matte paint (Sikkens Alphaxylan SF)
Because real lime paint is so delicate, at Tintrio we advise working with a lime-matte paint to achieve the exact same cloud effect. Our absolute top product for this is Sikkens Alphaxylan SF. This is an extremely matte wall paint that mimics the authentic lime-wash look, but with all the benefits of a modern paint.
Compared to traditional lime paint, Sikkens Alphaxylan SF offers three major advantages for your project:
- Adheres to almost any surface (No mineral base required): Real lime paint requires a highly absorbent, mineral substrate or an expensive special primer. Sikkens Alphaxylan SF, on the other hand, adheres excellently to almost all standard interior walls. Whether you're painting over an existing layer of paint, plasterboard, or fleece wallpaper, you can get started safely right away.
- 100% predictable cloud effect: With real lime paint, the effect is partly created by a chemical reaction and the drying process, making the final result a guessing game. With a lime-matte wall paint like Alphaxylan SF, you stay in total control. The cloudy effect is created purely through your own brushstrokes. What you see is what you get!
- Easy to repaint in the future: Interior trends change. Real lime paint is very difficult to repaint later; it powders and requires a special fixing agent before a new layer can go on. If you choose Sikkens Alphaxylan SF, your wall can easily be repainted in the future with any standard wall paint.
Lime paint vs. chalky matte paint at a glance:
| Feature | Real Lime Paint | Chalky matte Paint (Sikkens Alphaxylan SF) |
|---|---|---|
| Surface & Adhesion | Mineral base or expensive special primer needed | Adheres directly to almost all standard (painted) walls |
| Final Result | Unpredictable (depends on chemical reaction) | 100% control (you determine it with your brushstrokes) |
| Repainting | Difficult (requires fixative or isolating primer) | Easy, directly repaintable with standard wall paint |
What do you need for this limewash look project?
- Wall primer (in a shade lighter than your finish color)
- Sikkens Alphaxylan SF (in your desired accent color)
- Anti-splatter paint roller (for the primer)
- Wide flat brush / block brush (for the painting technique)
- Quality masking tape
- Paint tray (and stir stick)
Which colours are suitable for a lime-wash look?
Can you achieve a cloud effect with any colour? We recommend going for an accent color. White tones or very light grey, beige, and sand shades are less ideal, as the effect will hardly be visible.
Does your colour come from a Sigma Voice of Colour swatch? Then you can easily tell if your paint is suitable. The colours always start with PPG1999-1 or PPG1999-2, PPG1999-3, … up to 7.
All colors that have a 3 up to 5 after the hyphen are ideal for the final coat of your cloud effect or limewash effect.
Here are a few great contenders (combinations of base coat and finish coat) for your interior:
- Undertone: Hawaiian Shell PPG1055-2 with Finish colour: Pepperberry PPG1055-4
- Undertone: Silver Band PPG0995-3 with Finish colour: Burnished Blade PPG0995-5
- Undertone: Eden Light PPG1125-2 with Finish colour: Olive Sprig PPG1125-4
Ready to paint your lime-wash effect?
Do you have questions about the lime wash technique, the right colour or want advice for your specific wall? Feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We're happy to help before, during, and after your painting project!
Order Sikkens Alphaxylan SF easily in our webshop and be sure to show us the result afterwards.
Did you dive straight into this chalky matte paint after reading this blog? We are incredibly curious to see the result. Share your interior on socials and tag @tintrio.be .
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