FAQ

Lime Paint Related
What is Lime Paint

Lime Paint has been around for thousands of years. It is a truly wonderful traditional material that ages beautifully, and will continue to patina years after. Color Atelier Lime Paint is made with traditional European techniques, using the finest, most sustainable ingredients, composed of hydrated aged lime and zero VOC pigments.

It creates subtle movements with natural color variations on interior and exterior surfaces.

What are the advantages of using Lime Paint?

Lime Paint is simply the healthiest paint finish you can buy. Traditional Lime Paint is free of solvents, and toxic chemicals. It is composed of all natural materials,and mineral pigments. It bonds to a substrate through a natural process resulting in a durable, breathable coating. Lime’s high pH makes it a mold and mildew resistant finish. It also means that microorganisms can’t survive, which adds an hypoallergenic quality.

Lime Paint is also known for removing toxins, odors and harmful CO2 from interior air thus improving interior air quality. It is non-flammable, and free of odor and VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Color Atelier Lime Paint is a natural mineral based paint, you can use it safely in areas with your children and pets.

Where can I use Lime Paint?

Color Atelier Lime Paint’s unique durable formulation allows for both interior and exterior use. It can be used anywhere in the house, including the bathroom and the kitchen, even on furniture, is also used as a wash to lime woodgrain.

What kind of surfaces can you apply Lime Paint on, and how durable is it?

Lime Paint can be applied on smooth, semi-smooth, or rough surfaces. It is more durable than latex paint- 50 years vs. 10 years.

How is Lime Paint applied?

Color Atelier Lime Paint is user friendly and it is simple apply it by yourself. Apply 2 coats of Lime Paint using a block brush in random, multi-directional strokes. Ideally allow Lime Paint to dry overnight between coats. The unique nature of the lime creates subtle movements and color nuances. To obtain this attractive appearance, you don’t need to use any special techniques or faux methods; the lime will create the effect in a natural way.

What kind of coverage would I get from your Lime Paint?

One gallon will cover approximately 200 square feet in two coats, depending on the surface and application. Due to density of rich pigments in our products, they achieve very good coverage. Also note that Color Atelier Lime Paint is a dilutable product. Depending on the desired finish it can be applied as a full strength, or a glaze. Can be used as a wash to lime woodgrain.

Do I need to prime the walls before I apply your Lime Paint?

Not always. Color Atelier Lime Paint can be applied directly over plaster surfaces, bricks, cement, stucco or walls smoothed out with joint compound. Bare or previously painted surfaces needs to be primed with our mineral matte Primer for Lime Paint  to help achieve a consistent appearance and uniform absorption of Lime Paint on your walls.

Do I need to seal the Lime Painted surface?

In high traffic areas, for a wipeable surface, especially in bathrooms and kitchens, we recommend using Color Atelier Sealer. The Sealer should be applied over Lime Paints or Plasters, as a protective clear topcoat, for allowing the surface to resist marking and staining.

What is the limewash paint ready-mixed consistency like?

Color Atelier lime paint has a traditional limewash consistency that is more liquid vs. conventional latex paints. For most primed drywall applications, we use the lime paint product as is, without diluting it, however, on surfaces like bricks, stones, and concrete; adding water will achieve a more translucent finish for a softer washed look, if desired. Also, please make sure that the lime paint is stirred well, as a natural product, settling happens in the bottom of the containers. Note some darker colors can be thicker vs. lighter colors due to the amount of pigments added.

What colors does Lime Paint come in?

Color Atelier Lime Paint comes in a curated palette of more than 66 pre-mixed colors. It can also be tinted to any color with zero VOC pigments or universal tints. Color Natural is our untinted version of Lime Paint which is also our whitest white.

Do you create custom colors?

Yes, we do. If you have a color that works better with your project we are happy to create that custom color for you. You may order here. Please contact us for further custom color inquiries.

Do all colors have the same textured appearance?

No, whites and lighter colors have a more subtle movement quality in the finish application, whereas darker colors have more textured appearance to them. In order for increasing the movements with light colors, layering two shades in the application is a helpful method; usually a darker color goes for the first coat and the lighter color goes on top as the second coat.

What is color strength with % percentages?

Limewash color strength stands for lighter and darker color formulas. 50% color strength is lighter (less pigments added for the formula), 100% is the standard formula, and 150% is darker (more pigmented). The coverage and product consistency would remain the same.

Do colors always match for orders placed at different times?

Not always. Our paints and pigments consist of natural ingredients, and there can be slight variations between batches. For that reason, we recommend placing orders for the same job all at once, if possible, to ensure color consistency.

Does Lime Paint come in different sheens?

No, our Lime Paint naturally comes in a mineral matte flat sheen, and is the only option which gives it such authentic character.

 

To achieve a soft sheen, you can burnish our lime paint using a extra fine grit sanding sponge, or a clean venetian trowel. Burnishing is possible if the walls are smooth.

Can you paint the lime painted walls with regular latex paint later on, if needed?

Yes, you can use latex paints directly on top of Color Atelier Lime Painted walls, without any special preparation, however priming with a water-based primer would be necessary.

How easy is it to touch-up the damaged lime painted walls (dings, chips, stains, etc.) ?

Touch ups can be done by re-coating the damaged area with Color Atelier Lime Paint in the same color. Lime Paint should be blended with your brush strokes on your previously lime painted walls. For touch ups, always use the lime paint in a very thin manner; this will avoid the lime built up. In general, touch ups for lighter colors can be easier to handle vs. darker colors. If you have stains on your walls, first you should try cleaning it up with soapy warm water as much as you can, then touch it up with lime paint over it. This should take care off the stains.

Can I polish (burnish) your Lime Paint to a shine like a plaster finish?

Yes, if our Lime Paint is applied over smooth plaster walls, it can be polished to a shine much like a plaster finish. You can polish with using an extra fine sanding sponge, and or a clean, lint free cloth, lightly polish the surface in circular motions. For a more polished look use a “burnishing trowel”, move across the surface with a half circle motion while applying pressure. On textured surfaces, it can not be polished, Lime Paint provides a matte, suede-like finish instead.

To polish, we recommend applying two coats of Lime Paint over smooth plaster walls. “Polishing” or “Burnishing” will warm up the color of the Lime Paint, create more movement and add sheen when viewed at an angle. Walls will have a beautiful glow to them.

FAQ

Tadelakt & Shower Plasters Related
What is Tadelakt?

Tadelakt, an ancient lime plaster finish, dates back to Romans, originated in Morocco. For millennia Tadelakt has been appreciated for its beauty, and function.

Color Atelier Tadelakt is made in the U.S., considered for the type of substrates e typically encounter in modern construction. We practice contemporary application techniques with stainless steel trowels instead of stones, also seal the tadelakt finish with besswaxes and water based sealers as opposed to soaps in the old times.

Tadelakt finish has a seamless, smooth and slightly shiny appearance with a subtle movement, and luxurious feel.​

It will provide excellent bond to any properly prepared porous substrate, interior or exterior. It is a naturally elegant alternative for an organic, tactile look.

Aside from its beauty, there are no seams or grout lines in its application. 

Is Tadelakt environmentally friendly?

Made in the USA with highest quality natural ingredients. Formulated with hydraulic minerals, aged lime, marble powder, clay, and mineral dry pigments. It is naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and fungus.

Where can I use Tadelakt?

Tadelakt is designed for use in wet areas like showers, tub surrounds, and backsplashes. It can also be used for decorative dry area applications, and outdoors. It is very durable, breathable, low maintenance, and water resistant.

What colors does Tadelakt come in?

Tadelakt is available in a curated color palette. The product formula is pre-blended with dry mineral pigments, and it only requires the addition of water for mixing. We eliminate the mess and color inaccuracy on job sites by selling small bags of pigments separately and needing to measure them before adding them into the mix. Tadelakt can also be custom tinted. Select white base for lighter color variations, and grey base for darker colors, as needed. It can be tinted similar to other plaster products using universal tints, zero voc pigments or dry mineral pigments. The maximum amount of pigment that can be added is 10% of the total volume of the product.

Do colors always match for orders placed at different times?

Not always. Our plasters and pigments consist of natural ingredients, and there can be slight variation between batches. For that reason, we recommend placing orders for the same job all at once, if possible, for ensuring the color consistency.

Do you offer custom colors with Tadelakt?

Custom colors are subject to approval of our production. We have seven pails minimum order quantity for custom color creations, that is the smallest batch we can offer for blending the pigments. Color Atelier Tadelakt is pre-blended with dry mineral pigments, and it only requires the addition of water for mixing.

How is Tadelakt applied?

We practice contemporary application techniques with stainless steel and chrome trowels, as opposed to the stones used in the old times. Our line of highest quality tools, custom made in Italy for Color Atelier, do a fantastic job, closing the pores, compressing and burnishing the finish. A compression trowel can be used for the application of Base and Tadelakt coats. A chrome treated bianko trowel would be ideal when using white and light colored plasters to avoid black burnishing marks.

What kind of tools are necessary for Tadelakt plaster application?

We practice contemporary application techniques with stainless steel and chrome trowels, as opposed to the stones they used in the old times. Our line of highest quality tools, custom made in Italy for Color Atelier, do a fantastic job, closing the pores, compressing and burnishing the finish. A compression trowel can be used for the application of Base and Tadelakt coats. You may switch to a lighter trowel for polishing the Tadelakt finish coats, such as this trapezoid trowel. For white and lighter color plasters, we recommend a chrome treated bianko trowel for not leaving any black burns behind.

Can Tadelakt be applied on floors?

Besides shower walls, and ceilings, Color Atelier Tadelakt can also be applied on properly prepared shower floors, and benches. Apply epoxy sealer on Tadelakt shower floors for chemical and stain resistance. However, Tadelakt is not suitable for the floors that are outside the shower area, and throughout the other rooms. Our new countertop/ floor plaster product can be used on the floors, and countertop surfaces, as desired. For floor applications, having a concrete slab as your substrate to go over would be ideal. Please email us for ordering the countertop/ floor plaster and epoxy sealer products, as they are not available on our website yet.

We avoid using the wax sealer products on floors to avoid a slippery surface.

Why should Tadelakt be used in favor of microcement?

Tadelakt is a lime plaster and microcement is a cement-based material. Tadelakt finish has an unmistakable aesthetic that is silky smooth with subtle movements and a slight sheen with a luxurious look and feel that only natural materials can create. Tadelakt produces seamless, elegant, and durable applications in wet and non-wet areas Although the microcement can achieve the desired durability and strength, it simply can not achieve the same refined aesthetic and the soft, round lines of Tadelakt. If you’re looking for that unmistakable aesthetic and a natural material, then Tadelakt is the right choice for you.

What kind of coverage would I get from your Tadelakt?

One pail of 32 lbs. will cover approximately 180 square feet in one coat, depending on the application 2 to 3 coats are necessary.

Is Tadelakt durable?

If the walls are maintained properly, meaning avoiding harsh cleaners, it is very durable and easy to maintain. It can also be re-waxed every few years year to make it additionally resistant to stains.

What is the cleaning and maintenance for Tadelakt plaster showers?

If the walls are maintained properly—meaning avoiding harsh cleaners and bleach—Tadelakt is remarkably easy to maintain, as there are no seams or grout lines. It is naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and fungus. For regular cleaning, we recommend using a sponge with a mild, natural soap and warm water. To reduce staining, avoid setting items like shampoo bottles directly on the Tadelakt surface. Avoid Tadelakt surface from etching and chipping which can impact the water repellant property of the finish. Repairs are possible depending on the level of damage. For general maintenance, every few years, we recommend re-waxing the tadelakt shower area with our Wax-sealer or Wax-paste products to make it additionally resistant to stains. For a commercial application, re-waxing can be performed once a year.

Are Tadelakt showers DIY friendly applications?

Tadelakt in wet areas requires a certain level of expertise, and knowledge, contact us for further information.

Can Tadelakt be used for steam showers?

Yes, you can use our Tadelakt in steam showers. The prep work needs to be handled properly, along with appropriate topcoats used.

Is Tadelakt plaster product available in smaller sample size to try it out?

Yes, the Tadelakt product is available in 1 lb. sample size containers for making samples with. Make up to 3 to 4 square feet of Tadelakt finish, coverage may vary depending on the substrate, and thickness of plaster application. You can order Tadelakt samples on our website, the cost is $12.90 e.a.