Whitewash is a commonly used term to describe a painting where the surface of a painting gets treated with an opaque white pigment. On the other hand, Limewash describes a painting painted in egg tempera paint, which is transparent and non-opaque. It can get achieved by adding milk or vinegar to the mixture. Discover the differences between whitewash and limewash.
1. Application
Whitewash is often a surface covered with opaque white paint. It is achieved by brushing, spraying or troweling on the white paint on home painting services. The surface is sometimes left to dry, but other times it is allowed to remain wet while receiving multiple coats of white paint.
Limewash can also be an opaque paint but usually has a creamier consistency than a whitewash. This texture comes from adding milk or vinegar to the egg tempera and produces a slightly off-white color. Achievement is mixing the paint with water or milk, diluting it and making it whiter.
2. Material
Whitewash is often made of clay and whitewash made with whitewash can be found in various colors, but there are still only a few shades of white. Adding other pigments to the mix, such as egg whites and clay, will cause the mixture to become more transparent.
Limewash, on the other hand, is made from egg tempera. It gets produced by mixing the eggs with a binder. If milk or vinegar get added to this mixture, it will dilute the paint and make it more opaque whitewash.
3. Durability
Whitewash is often used as a surface coating in home painting services, which means it doesn’t require long-term durability. On the other hand, Limewash is usually a surface sealant on porous surfaces such as stone. It requires a higher quality paint and application method to ensure it doesn’t wear down over time.
4. Coats
Whitewash often receives multiple coats if painted on top of another color. A whitewash coat can get applied directly on top of colored paint, or it can get applied in multiple layers. It can also be applied over a dry surface if it was previously painted in another manner, as long as the surface is still wet.
Limewash is often painted in one layer and doesn’t require multiple coats. It will appear to have a natural finish depending on the technique used to apply it, so multiple coats are not often required.
5. Color
Whitewash is produced in white, tan or grey shades, which can get achieved by adding different pigments to the mix. Limewash adds a creamy color to an otherwise opaque white paint but can still get applied in various shades. It is often off-white on top of a colored surface and will blend into the previous layer if painted over one.
6. Cost
Cost can play a role in the type of paint used and the application method. Whitewash is cheaper than limewash, not just in the paint itself, because it can get painted on faster. Limewash will require more time and effort to achieve a smooth finish or multiple coats to even out the surface.
7. Availability
Whitewash can get found in most hardware stores and even some supermarkets in Castle Rock CO. If you don’t have access to these stores, you can find tinting powders that allow you to match the color of your current paint job by adding it to the whitewash mix.
Limewash is harder to find, but these specialty paint stores can still provide you with a supply.
8. Delivery
Whitewash dries in a matter of hours and can be painted on top of another color without waiting. It makes it easy to cover large areas with a single coat and allows the paint to dry through the same method applied to the surface, which prevents staining or bleeding.
Limewash is much harder to apply because it requires multiple daily coats while the surface is still wet. Paint may need to get applied with a roller or brush, which can cause a heavy paint buildup at the bottom of the surface. It is hard to clean off and may damage the surface if it gets not treated immediately.
9. Opacity
Whitewash does not provide a high opacity because it will often allow light to shine through in spots. On the other hand, Limewash is much more opaque because it gets formulated to be opaque. The paint will not allow light to pass through; it can get painted on top of a colored surface without showing through.
Although they sound different, whitewash and limewash are popular paint alternatives. Limewash is the way to go if you want a thicker and opaquer surface. Choose whitewash if you want a lighter paint coating for a smoother finish. Trying to find the best paint and painters near me? Give Barco’s Painting in Castle Rock CO message for consultation.