Here's My Great Green Idea!

Limewash is a decorative and durable surface coating compatible with substrates that are moisture absorbent. No VOC's, no toxic organic compounds, locally available, CO2 absorbent, mold and insect resistive, inexpensive, and easy to apply. I had the good fortune to work with a well known heritage mason and expert limewasher in co-authoring a paper for presentation at the 2005 International Building Lime Symposium held at Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort. Together, we published this paper for free distribution on the web through the National Lime Association Building Lime Group. The paper may be viewed and downloaded here: http://www.lime.org/BLG/Mold.pdf.
Recognizing the heritage and compatibility of limewash for application on earth built structures, the publisher of Adobe Builder approached us to ask if he might reproduce the paper for inclusion in his magazine. As a part of this effort, we worked with some well known earth builders and colleagues in Mexico to translate the paper into Spanish.

The highlights of this instructive paper include: 1) Types of compatible substrates, 2) Preparation of the substrate, 3) Use of earth oxide pigments, 4) Mixing and Application techniques, and 5) Maintenance. We hope you will check it out...and consider limewash as a green alternative!