Must-Have Tools for a DIY Limewash Makeover (That We Actually Use & Love)
Limewashing your home’s brick exterior is totally doable—even if you’ve never held a masonry brush in your life.
But like every good DIY project, it goes a whole lot smoother with the right tools in your hands, amiright?
So after five+ years of limewashing everything from small fireplaces to full-blown exterior homes, we’ve gathered our ride-or-die tool lineup that we always reach for.
Whether you’re tackling a fireplace refresh or a full house transformation, this roundup will help you feel ready, confident, and excited to get that dreamy limewashed finish.
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Our Limewashing Tool Favorites
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Romabio Classico Limewash
There are many brands of limewash out there, but we have found this one to be the most user-friendly on the market.
Why we love this: It comes in 7 pre-made colors, but you can also have it custom tinted at a local retailer if they carry the product.
Photo Credit: Romabio Paints
Romabio Masonry Brush
This isn’t your average paintbrush. Designed for textured surfaces like brick and stone, this beast holds a ton of product and gets into all the crevices.
Why we love this: It lays down limewash like butter. It’s sturdy, easy to control, and worth every penny.
Adjustable Ladder
If there is any ladder work that needs to be (carefully) done for your home, this one is our favorite!
Why we love this: It transforms from an A frame to an extendable version in seconds.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
5 Gallon Bucket with a Lid
This is your limewash mixing go to for any large job. Opt for one with a snap-tight lid so you can store your limewash mixture without it drying out.
Why we love this: It’s durable, easy to clean, and perfect for mixing batch after batch without mess.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Clear Measuring Bucket
When diluting limewash, your ratio matters. A clear measuring bucket lets you see the exact water-to-limewash ratio.
Why we love this: It helps us stay consistent from start to finish.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Paddle Mixer Drill Attachment
A paddle mixer is a must have to fully incorporate the water and limewash. Just attach to any handheld drill and it gives you that smooth, velvety consistency that limewash needs.
Why we love this: It does the mixing job in seconds and ensures even mixing. It’s the MVP of the prep stage.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Hose with a Dial Nozzle
Limewash needs a damp surface to adhere properly. A hose with a mist function gives you just the right amount of moisture without soaking your walls.
Why we love this: The various nozzle settings help create that perfect distressed finish!
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Drop Cloths and Plastic Tarps
Protect those plants and patios (or floors if using indoors)! Use tarps and plastic to cover anything you don’t want limewashed.
Why we love this: Clean-up is a breeze when you take 10 minutes to prep properly. No regrets.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
High Quality Painter’s Tape
Tape is your best friend—especially around screens and trim. Choose one that can handle a little water without falling apart.
Why we love this: Since limewashing involves a lot of water, this 3M Automotive tape has been the best adhesion that is waterproof and leaves no residue!
Photo Credit: Amazon
Old Rags for Distressing
For that aged, European look, you’ll need rags to distress while the limewash is still drying, especially for fireplaces.
Why we love this: They’re handy if you have any drips that need quick attention.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Plastic Bucket Opener
Those lids can be tricky to remove again and again. This handy tool has been a life saver for many years on our job sites.
Why we love this: It’s durable and is definitely worth the low price tag!
Photo Credit: Amazon
Plastic Paint Stir Stick
Wooden paint paddles can do the trick, but the fine edge of these plastic ones help get every ounce of limewash when measuring it out.
Why we love this: Long lasting and works for all types of paints.
Photo Credit: Amazon
Chinex Bristle Brush
There are going to be those tight spots where the larger masonry brush won’t work. This is a handy brush to have in your back pocket – literally!
Why we love this: These bristles are long lasting and will hold up to the constant friction from the brick.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Small Detail Brushes
One of our homes, and many houses we have painted may have deep, recessed mortar lines. If you find that the limewash has rinsed away after distressing, these small brushes can fill in those mortar lines quickly.
Why we love this: The variety pack is a great buy and perfect for any small detail.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Protective Eyewear
Protecting your eyes is a must in almost every DIY project. These are our favorite!
Why we love this: While these have a higher price, they are comfortable for all day wear and have anti-fogging lenses.
Photo Credit: Home Depot
Spray Bottle
There are some spaces where the hose won’t work, so having a spray bottle handy has been a time saver!
Why we love this: This bottle has lasted us for years and we love the quality. Plus it works in a variety of positions.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Additional (Optional) Tools We Love
These are some tools that are nice to have and essential to our business volume and efficiency, but aren’t truly necessary to get the job done.
Paint Sprayer
Want to speed things up on a big job? An airless paint sprayer (with the filters removed!) can help apply limewash more quickly. If you don’t want to purchase one, some big box stores will rent them out.
Why we love this: It’s great for large surfaces, but we always go back over with our masonry brush for even coverage.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Pressure Washer
In our opinion, a pressure washer is a must have for most households. Not only would they prep your brick for painting, but they are essential for any outdoor job – from cleaning cars to deck chairs or making your driveway look shiny and new!
Why we love this: This is a gas powered machine that has held up for years, so the quality has really stood the test of time.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Romabio Mineral Shield
To lengthen the life of all that hard work, we like to apply a protective, invisible coating like Romabio Mineral Shield.
Why we love this: Adding an invisible shield to your paint which has no sheen and creates a waterproof barrier helps delay the naturally weathering process.
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Ladder Leveler
If you have any slopes in your yard, this tool helps keep your ladder level and safe.
Why we love this: Safety is the most important thing and this tool has saved us on many occasion!
Photo Credit: Home Depot
Masking Film
Trent LOVES to tape things off and swears by this stuff. It’s worth the extra time and effort to make clean up that much easier.
Why we love this: Cleaning limewash drips off window screens isn’t much fun, so this helps save that frustrating step.
Photo Credit: Home Depot
Romabio Small Masonry Brush
If you have a smaller job, then this brush may be the perfect fit rather than the large masonry brush.
Why we love this: Perfect for fireplaces – not as heavy or bulky making it very user friendly!
Photo Credit: Lowe’s
Having the right tools makes limewashing so much more enjoyable (and way less messy).
Whether you’re tackling mismatched brick or just giving your exterior a refresh, these tools will help you get a beautiful, professional-looking finish—without the pro price tag.
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