How to Limewash Your Stone Fireplace

Welcome to a step by step guide to limewash a stacked stone fireplace. It’s a pretty simple process. Actually, we did this a few days ago, and are very satisfied with the results. I hope this motivates you to do the same. Without keeping you waiting, let’s uncover our secrets to limewash your stoned fireplace. 

Why Use Limewash On Stone Instead Of Painting It ?

There will be several of you who might be asking, why did I choose to limewash my stone fireplace, instead of painting it ? Well, here is the answer to that question

Most importantly limewash is removable within the first five days of applying it. This made it risky for me, since it’s my first time doing it. Now, i know that at the finish it would be messy and stressful to remove it if i didn’t like it, but since it’s not permanent, i was okay with it.

Should I Update My Stacked Stone Fireplace ?

It all depends on you. Natural stone is always a good option in my opinion. Still, our stone was not real, and i didn’t like how it would turn out. In order to have a professional limewash this (which is the best and also safest the option)  it would cost us $1000. However, we were able to get it all finished in under $200. Even though it was 3 stressful days to finish it, it was totally worth it. We had a little help from professionals on exterior stone, and we liked the outcome.

Preparation

First of all, clean the stone before painting it. The fireplace is inside, so it should be clean, however it can be dusty, so make sure to clean it. 

• Tape Off the surrounding wall with paper
• Cover the floor with dropcloth
• And finally, turn on some music that you like and start your project!

The Supplies

This is everything you need to limewash your stone, and they are all equally important.

• plastic bucket
• multiple white rags
• large Romabio paint brush
• spray bottle filled with water
• Romabio Classico limewash paint tinted to the color of your choice
• and some gloves to protect your hands 

About Limewash

Romabio created this limewash, and i must say i am amazed, it cleans up beautifully and is free of any fumes or smell, it was so much fun working with it. I used a soft beige color and it looked pretty nice, you can choose any color that you like. Find out which one of your local paint stores has this. 

Dilute The Limewash

Obviously you should dilute it. I recommend you dilute it 50-100 %. At the beginning i used just one cup of paint and ½ cup of water. Learn from my mistake and use ¾ cup of water. Even though its not easier to paint it with, it’s definitely much faster, which is in my opinion better. Now comes the annoying part, since it’s a messy paint and it will be dripping while you do it. But have no worries if it happens, you’ve covered your floors, you’re safe. Keep track of your proportions so that you can replicate it, as you continue. I added only 1 cup of paint with the water before it was wasted. Later i mixed more, i just didn’t know how much we would go through.

The Five Simple Steps

• spray a section of stone with water
• apply limewash with the brush
• let dry 10-60 minutes (I waited 20-30)
• spray with water again
• use a rag to distress to your liking

1. Spray The Stone With Water

It’s pretty self explanatory. Remember it should be damp not dripping. If it’s too wet, then just gently tap it with a rag.

2. Brush On The Limewash

Dip your brush and start painting the stone, and remember it’s totally ok if it’s drippy and messy. Also very important, don’t submerge the brush, about ½ an inch of paint is enough. 

3. Allow Limewash To Start Drying

Wait about 20-30 minutes 

4. Spray With Water Again

I did the same as in Step 1, just repeat it

5. Distress With A Rag

Distress it however you want. This can get complicated as the paint looks more diaphanous when it’s wet. Make sure to give it a good scrub for color variations coming through.  Dilute it at about 75% and you should see color variations come through.

Conclusion

Even though it was pretty stressful to finish it, in my opinion it’s totally worth it. I am writing this few weeks after i finished it, and i must say that i’m really satisfied. I hope this tips can help you to limewash your stone fireplace,and i hope i gave you more motivation to finish it. Trust me, it will be worth it.