Lime Wall Paint

Product Overview

Lime Wall Paint is a premium, full-bodied lime paint formulated from mature pit lime aged a minimum of 36 months, colored with natural earth mineral pigments and enriched with titanium dioxide for opacity. A ready-to-use finish for interior and exterior surfaces, it delivers a soft patina and mottled appearance — a living mineral surface that blooms with texture, dimension, and depth as it cures.

Because the lime carbonates and hardens through reaction with atmospheric carbon dioxide rather than drying as a film, the finish bonds into the substrate instead of sitting on it. It will not chip or peel. Zero VOC, no allergens, and GREENGUARD Gold Certified.

The Finish

Mineral matte flat with a characteristic luminescent, mottled quality unavailable in conventional latex or acrylic coatings. The mineral surface refracts incoming light in multiple directions, producing tonal variation that shifts with daylight through the day. The finish continues to develop until fully cured at 7–10 days.

Technical Specifications

† "Zero VOC" means no organic solvents added. Trace amounts of VOC may be present as residual components of other ingredients. Laboratory-measured content is below 1 g/L.

Suitable Substrates

Not suitable for

Floors and shower walls.

Contact JH before specifying

For tile, glazed surfaces, vinyl, metal, and other non-porous substrates, contact JH for recommendations on preparation.

Color & Sampling

Color reads differently in every space depending on daylight direction, artificial lighting, reflected light from flooring, and adjacent finishes. Lighter colors show more subtle movement; darker, more pigmented colors show pronounced variation and bloom less predictably. Sampling in the actual space, under the actual lighting, is essential before final selection.

Surface Preparation

All surfaces must be sound, dry, absorbent, clean, and free from dust and grease. Loose paint, dirt, oily residue, mold, and mildew must be completely removed before application. Complete the painting of all adjacent surfaces and joinery first — tape should not be applied to a finished Lime Wall Paint surface.

New drywall

Joint compound must be completely dry and even in porosity. Prime with two coats of JH Mineral Prime, a mineral-based primer that creates a microporous surface for proper adhesion and consistent absorption. Allow 2–4 hours dry time for each coat.

New plaster and masonry

Must be fully cured before application. Cure times vary by product and by site conditions — check with the substrate manufacturer to confirm the surface is fully cured before applying Lime Wall Paint.

Previously painted surfaces

Remove all loose, peeling, or flaking paint. Lightly sand and remove dust. Fill nail holes and cracks with spackle, sand smooth, and dust off. Prime the entire surface with one coat of JH Mineral Prime and allow 2–4 hours dry time.

Mixing

Application — Interior

For maximum mottling and dimension, brush application is recommended for both coats. For large volumes, the first coat may be rolled and back-brushed.

First coat

• Confirm the material is mixed to a creamy consistency before starting.
• Apply by brush, or by roller in random crosshatched sections, then rolled vertically for added effect.
• Strokes should run both upward toward the ceiling and downward toward the floor. The more random, the better.
• Work the paint into any existing wall texture with the brush.
• Maintain a wet edge. Stop only at corners or natural breaks — never mid-wall. Lapping wet into dry will remain visible.
• Cut in as you go rather than cutting in ahead as with conventional paint.

Second coat

• Allow 6–8 hours minimum; overnight is recommended, and required for tone-on-tone work in two colors.
• Apply using a crosshatch or random brushing technique.
• Do not return to rework or touch up areas that have begun to dry — this produces visible flashing.

Optional third coat

For a layered effect or enhanced mottling, apply a third coat using the same technique. Thinning the coat softens the result. Note that additional coats may lighten the surface.

Application — Exterior

Apply the first coat by brush, roller, or airless spray to achieve a solid color effect using standard good painting practice. Cut in edges consistently. Previously painted exterior surfaces require JH Mineral Prime before application.

Moisture Cure — Optional

Tools

High-Traffic Areas & Sealing

For kitchens, bathroom walls excluding shower walls, hallways, stairwells, or any high-traffic interior zone, finish with JH Matte Sealer to add durability and washability while preserving the matte character of the finish.

• Apply only after the Lime Wall Paint has fully cured — 7–10 days after the final coat — allowing the lime to bloom and develop fully.
• Full cure of the sealer is 2–3 weeks.

Care & Maintenance

Unsealed. A lime finished surface. Dust lightly with a dry, soft brush. Do not wipe across the surface, scrub, or use abrasive pads — these may burnish or stain the finish. Marks and scuffs should be treated by gently dabbing the isolated spot only, never by wiping. See Touch-Ups below.

Sealed with JH Matte Sealer. A barely damp cloth with a mild, dye-free soap may be used to gently wipe the surface. Avoid excess moisture, heavy scrubbing, and harsh or solvent-based cleaners. Never apply adhesive tape to a sealed or unsealed surface.

During cure. Avoid rubbing, cleaning, or leaning against the finish until it has fully cured at 7–10 days.

Long-term maintenance

Unlike acrylic and latex coatings, Lime Wall Paint never needs to be stripped. Earlier layers stay in place and new material bonds directly over them, so a wall can be refreshed as many times as needed over its life.

• Where a surface has worn thin or lost depth, apply a light refresher coat using the original technique. The finish gains character and durability with each layer.
• On exteriors, an annual inspection is recommended. Address worn or weathered areas with a refresher coat before the substrate is exposed.
• Material from the original batch gives the closest match on a refresh.

Touch-Ups

Lime Wall Paint touches up well. Isolate the affected area, load the brush lightly with paint from the same batch, and dab only where needed — then feather the edges outward in all directions to blend into the surrounding finish. Contact JH technical support for guidance on larger repairs or saturated colors.

Removing scuffs

Where the full system has been followed — JH Mineral Prime plus full coats of Lime Wall Paint — small scuffs can typically be removed with a damp soft rag.

• If the scuff remains, add a small dab of clear dish detergent to a soft rag. Isolate the area and gently dab the spot rather than wiping across it.
• A sanding sponge in 1000 grit or above may also be used if needed.

Repairs

• For small repairs, dab reserved material from the original batch onto the affected area, then feather the edges out to blend.
• For larger repairs, follow the same process used on the wall and blend the JH Mineral Prime and Lime Wall Paint into the existing finish.
• Note that an additional coat may lighten and alter the surface, most noticeably in mid-tone and deep colors.
• Material reserved from the original batch gives the best result — this is why ordering 15–20% overage matters.

Batch, Storage & Handling

• Pour out only the quantity needed and reseal the container immediately to prevent skinning.
• If material dries out, strain through a mesh paint strainer into a clean bucket before use.
• Store sealed, upright, in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
• Do not allow to freeze.
• Cool or damp conditions will extend drying and recoat times.

Specification Language

For use in architectural specifications, finish schedules, and design documents:

CSI MasterFormat Section 09 90 00 — Paints and Coatings. Related: 09 96 00 High-Performance Coatings.

Safety

Lime Wall Paint is alkaline and may burn on contact. Protect eyes and skin. Wear gloves and eye protection during mixing and application.

• Mask and cover all areas not to be coated — particularly glass, ceramics, natural stone, and metal. Rinse any splashes on adjacent surfaces immediately with plenty of water.
• In the event of eye contact, flush with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
• In the event of skin contact, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
• Do not ingest. If swallowed, drink one to two glasses of water and contact a physician immediately.
• Use only with adequate ventilation. Wear a NIOSH-approved N95 or equivalent particulate respirator when spraying or sanding.
• Keep out of reach of children.

Safety Data Sheet. The Safety Data Sheet for Lime Wall Paint is available at jhwallpaints.com.

Technical Support

JH technical representatives are available for substrate assessment, specification assistance, mock-up review, and applicator guidance during normal business hours.