Lime Paints – User recommendations

Vibrant and beautiful, the St Astier lime paint range is the perfect compliment to lime rendering and harling, suitable for most backgrounds. Can be applied to gypsum plasters, lining paper, cement and lime backgrounds, bricks, blocks and untreated timber. Some backgrounds may require a primer to reduce suction.
Mixing. The general ratio is 1 volume of powder to 2 volumes of clean water. Further dilution might be necessary on porous backgrounds.
Unadulterated lime paint is supplied in tubs as a powder for mixing on site with water. The tub has a fill line for normal use. Proper mixing is essential. The lime paint should be completely free of lumps or fine particles. Check the bottom and sides of the mixing tub to ensure all the powder is fully combined.
When supplied with Uni Protect (an additive to improve adhesion) the product will be supplied ready mixed in a wet state for final stirring on site immediately prior to use.
In all instances when using lime paint, regular stirring is essential to ensure a consistent application.
Application. Do not work in temperatures below 8oC or above 30oC or in visibly humid conditions, ie. Mist or Fog. Protect painted areas from direct sun, drying wind and rain for 3 to 4 days (longer in damp weather conditions). Do not use warm air dryers.
Apply with a good quality bristle or hair brush in short strokes, evenly and thinly spread the lime paint on the surface, work into any small hollows or cracks. Do not overload the brush, use only the bottom third of the bristles, do not apply unevenly. Generally 2 coats are sufficient. Wait 12 – 24 hours between coats.
On large areas of work, always keep the working edge damp, do not allow the lime paint to dry out and form a dry joint. Inadequate protection of the working area will exacerbate drying. Dampen with a light mist sprayer if necessary. Sufficient personnel should be used to complete large areas without forming dry joints.
Always finish whole walls or elevations into details, angles, corners, down pipes or the like in one operation to avoid colour banding.
St. Astier Lime Paints can be sprayed with an airless sprayer.
Background.
Ensure that background is dry, clean and sound. Do not apply lime paints on waterproofed surfaces, distempers, existing glossy and waterproofed paints, dirty or polluted surfaces.
Remove any loose or flaking paints and repair defective plasters or renders. Test the background for suction by lightly flicking clean water from a brush on to the surface of the wall. Rapid suction into the background means that dampening with clean water will be required. In this cases thin the first coat out with 30% additional water. If thinning is required mix as normal then take out with a measured container the quantity you require to be thinned, place it in a separate container and add the extra water. A low suction background does not require pre wetting or additional thinning for the first coat, but may require the addition of UniProtect (an additive to improve adhesion)
All new rendered or plaster surfaces should be properly dry before applying lime paints.

Lime paints can react with some modern gypsum premixed plasters due to their additives content.
Wallpaper joints are often smeared with adhesive during hanging. Make sure that the adhesive paste used is water-soluble. Clean the joint before applying lime paint, as excess adhesive residues on the face of the paper will cause the lime paint to dry out a different colour. Always conduct a test in a small area.

Suitable backgrounds.
Can be applied to most normal external or internal plastered surfaces (see background) including gypsum and cement, previously painted surfaces and untreated timbers.
Always carry out a test sample if in doubt.
Unsuitable backgrounds.
Not to be used on backgrounds that contain waterproofing agents, oil paints, grease or cement paints which have water repellent agents.
Protection.
Do not use below 80 C or above 300 C. Avoid working in foggy/ damp weather.
Protect from rain, strong direct sunlight and drying winds for at least 24 hours.
Technical data:
Made from pure high calcium hydrated lime. Acrylic addition: max. 5%.
Pigments: mineral or earth oxides.
Shelf life:
Powders: 6 months from production date
In water : 12 months
Normal dilution ratio -1 vol. powder : 2 vol. water (1kg. Powder : 4 litres water)
Health and Safety
Irritant. To the eyes and skin. Wash affected areas abundantly with clean water (do not use soap). Do not ingest or inhale dust. Wear adequate protection (mask/goggles/gloves) during handling and mixing.

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