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Exterior Limewash in Cincinnati, OH
The soft, chalky, naturally weathered look of aged European brick and stone, mixed to spec and brushed on by hand across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
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What makes Romabio limewash different on Cincinnati brick?
Limewash is a mineral coating made from limestone, and it behaves nothing like paint on brick. Instead of sitting on top as a film, it bonds with the masonry and leaves a soft, matte, slightly chalky finish that looks naturally weathered. Slye's Painting uses Romabio limewash exclusively, a mineral coating made for brick, stone and stucco. Our certified team mixes it to spec, then brushes it on by hand, varying how much wash goes on from one section to the next to build the texture and depth you want. The finish stays breathable on brick and keeps developing its aged character through Cincinnati's changing seasons. Slye's Painting is one of the only certified limewash specialists in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area, and we state a 20-year warranty on Romabio exterior work.
- Mixed to specRomabio, batched to its exact specifications.
- Brushed by handCoats varied across sections for depth.
- Breathable on brickA mineral bond, not a surface film.
- An aged lookMatte, chalky, and still evolving.
How does exterior limewash work, start to finish?
Good limewash depends on preparation and a practiced hand. Here is how we handle a Cincinnati brick, stone or stucco exterior.
Clean
We clean the brick, stone or stucco so the wash meets bare masonry.
Dampen
The surface is dampened so the limestone-based wash bonds evenly.
Mix to spec
Romabio limewash is mixed to its exact specifications, each time.
Brush by hand
We brush it on and vary the coats across sections for texture and depth.
Cure
Over several days the mineral coating bonds with your home and settles into its matte finish.
Brick homes we have finished in limewash
From arched entries to long, low ranch fronts, every home reads a little differently because the wash follows the brick underneath.
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See more finished work in the full photo gallery.
How much wash-off do you want on your brick?
Because we vary the coats by hand, you decide how much of the original brick shows through. Here are the three looks we talk through at your estimate.
Soft and even
Most of the wash stays on the brick. The color reads lighter and more uniform, with only faint hints of brick and mortar showing through.
Classic mottled
Wash is worked back in places so brick tone and mortar lines come through. This is the weathered, European look most people picture.
Brick-forward
More wash comes off, so the brick color and texture lead and the wash settles into the joints and pores for a heavier aged feel.
The final look depends on your brick, so we confirm the amount of wash-off with you before we commit to it across the house.
Limewash vs paint vs stain on exterior brick
A general comparison, so you can see where limewash fits. Products and results vary, and we are glad to talk through your home.
| Limewash | Paint | Stain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Soft, matte and chalky, with brick and mortar showing through where you want it | Opaque, even color with a solid, uniform surface | Translucent color that keeps brick texture and variation visible |
| How it bonds | A mineral coating that bonds with the masonry | A film that forms on top of the surface | Soaks into the surface and tints it |
| On brick | Breathable on brick | Film coating, so it behaves less like the masonry beneath | Varies by product |
| Aging | Develops character and keeps evolving over time | Holds a uniform color until it wears and needs recoating | Fades gradually with weather and sun |
| Control of the look | Coverage and wash-off adjusted by hand across the house | Mostly a choice of color and sheen | Mostly a choice of tint and strength |
| Best for | Brick, stone and stucco where you want an aged, European feel | A clean color change, siding and trim | Keeping the natural brick color with a tint |
Exterior limewash across the Tri-State
We understand how Cincinnati's climate affects the curing process and long-term performance, and we bring the same crew and the same Romabio standard to every brick home, from Indian Hill to Fort Thomas.
- Certified in Romabio limewash application, and insured
- Two years of worry-free touch-ups at no cost on every project (see how it works)
- Owner-founded in 2015 by Michael Slye
- Cincinnati
- Indian Hill
- Anderson Township
- Norwood
- White Oak
- Milford
- Loveland
- Covington
- Fort Thomas
- Fort Mitchell
- Newport
- Florence
Serving the whole region from our Cincinnati painters page.
“Slye’s Painting did an amazing job painting the exterior of our home in Anderson Township, Ohio. The crew was professional, communicated well, kept everything clean, and paid close attention to detail. Our house looks completely refreshed. I highly recommend Slye’s Painting to anyone looking for reliable exterior painters in Anderson, OH.”
Exterior limewash questions, answered
How much does exterior limewash cost in Cincinnati?
Exterior limewash is quoted per home, because the price depends on how much surface there is, how high the walls run, the condition of the brick, stone or stucco, and how much wash you want left or removed. We look at the house before we quote, so the number reflects your home and not a guess.
How does the exterior limewash process work?
On your Cincinnati home we clean the brick, stone or stucco, dampen it so the limewash bonds well, then mix Romabio limewash to spec and brush it on by hand. We vary the amount of wash from section to section to build the texture you chose. The mineral coating then cures over several days as it bonds with the surface.
Can you limewash stone and stucco as well as brick?
Yes. Romabio limewash is made for brick, stone and stucco, and we apply it to all three on Cincinnati homes. Each surface takes the wash a little differently, so the finished look varies. At your estimate we talk through how your surface is likely to read and how much wash to leave on it.
How much of the limewash gets washed off, and who decides the look?
You do, with our guidance on your Cincinnati brick. Leaving more wash on gives a softer, whiter, more even finish. Taking more off lets the brick color and mortar lines show through for a heavier aged look. Because we apply and work the wash by hand, we can adjust coverage across your home until it reads the way you want.
How long does exterior limewash take to cure?
The mineral coating cures over several days as it bonds chemically with your masonry, and it keeps developing its matte, chalky character after that. Total project time depends on the size of the home and Cincinnati weather, so we confirm a schedule when you book your estimate rather than promising a fixed number of days.
Do you do exterior limewash outside Cincinnati?
Yes. We limewash homes across Cincinnati, including Indian Hill, Anderson Township, Norwood and White Oak, and in Milford and Loveland. We also work in Northern Kentucky, including Covington, Fort Thomas, Fort Mitchell, Newport, Florence and Erlanger. Book an estimate and we will confirm we can reach your address.
More answers on our FAQ page.
Ready for the aged look on your brick?
Book an estimate and we will walk your Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky home, talk through how much wash-off you want, and quote the work.