PLEASE NOTE: Correct preparation is essential. All surfaces must be sound and prepared in the recommended manner. For more information on surface preparation contact your closest Paintsmiths store. Preparation of new plastered walls: Lightly sand down all surfaces to provide sound smooth surfaces. Clean down all surface dust, grease and dirt. Scrape off all loose material and cement splashes. Rake out all cracks, other than hairline cracks, greater than 0.5mm, holes or other minor defects and fill with Midas Skimfill Exterior. Repair damaged plasterwork using Midas Plaster Repair as recommended. If the walls have been patched and cracks repaired and there are differences in the porosities of the plaster, then apply one coat of Midas Cemproof Slurry to even out the porosities prior to the Earthcote Traditional Limewash application. Preparation of plastered and lime washed walls: Rinse wall while brushing down with a stiff wire brush to remove loose and all peeling paintwork as well as salt deposits. Carry out necessary plaster repairs. On lime plaster, use a soft cement - lime - sand mix only (1cement; 2 lime; 6 - 8 sand). Dampen repaired areas for 2 days to ensure slow curing. Rake out all cracks, other than hairline cracks, greater than 0.5mm, holes or other minor defects and fill with Earthcote Lime Putty WS as recommended. Preparation of old lime plastered and lime washed walls (Historical/Heritage buildings): Remove all loose and flaking lime wash coatings down to a sound substrate with scrapers etc. Water jetting may damage the old plaster. Rinse wall while brushing down with a stiff wire brush to remove any friable material as well as salt deposits. Where there are isolated patches where thick coatings have been removed, these patches can be filled with Earthcote Lime Putty applied as specified. Carry out necessary plaster repairs. On lime plaster, use a soft cement - lime - sand mix only (1 cement; 2 lime; 6 - 8 sand). Dampen repaired areas for 2 days to ensure slow curing. If hard fillers or plaster have been used to patch or repair walls, these must be removed and repaired with the soft plaster mix. IMPORTANT: Earthcote Traditional Limewash must be thoroughly stirred before use and continuously stirred during the application process. To achieve more constant colour uniformity on newly patched or repaired walls it is strongly recommended that a coat of Midas Masonry Primer is applied to the complete areas prior to applying Earthcote Traditional Limewash. The wall should be uniformly damp, not glistening wet. Avoid direct sunlight for all works. Apply first coat of Earthcote Traditional Limewash using a Hamiltons Limewash Brush at the stipulated spread rates, taking care to brush well into cracks, pores and holes. It is important to keep a wet edge and use a consistent brushing technique. Do not stop in the middle of the wall or a dry edge mark will appear. Cut around windows and doors only as you come to them. Allow to dry overnight. Dampen first coat with water by either mist-spraying with a hose or using a paint roller dipped into clean water. Apply a second coat (and a third coat if necessary) in the same manner as the first. Once the final coat is complete, mist spray for 3 days to achieve full hydration (curing).