Limewash not absorbing into lime plaster

[pauldee]

Having trouble with limewash. This is Mike Wye dusty rose limewash over Lime Green Solo. We have had great success with this combination on the past except that time the colour was whetish and the plaster was applied by a professional, whereas this time I had a go. The first coat seemed to soak in and go a dark colour, then subsequent coats form this streaky mess that doesn't appear to absorb and in many cases brushes off. Some parts of the wall look good, a nice flat colour, but most are like this. Yes, we damped down the wall and applied thin coats, but each coat just seems to be picking up the dust from the last. The wall doesn't seem that absorbent in places. Did I go wrong with the plastering? I've heard adding a bit of casein to the limewash can help? There are prep coats but that seems a shame?
This photo doesn't really get it across. The first coat went on quite dark, then every following coat is much lighter with obvious brush strokes. Any searches for it call it blooming but we have followed all the steps that apparently avoid blooming.

 

[a twig]

Might be a bad match of limewash? Assume you gave it a proper whisk / stir beforehand?

 

[Lacan07]

Having trouble with limewash. This is Mike Wye dusty rose limewash over Lime Green Solo. We have had great success with this combination on the past except that time the colour was whetish and the plaster was applied by a professional, whereas this time I had a go. The first coat seemed to soak in and go a dark colour, then subsequent coats form this streaky mess that doesn't appear to absorb and in many cases brushes off. Some parts of the wall look good, a nice flat colour, but most are like this. Yes, we damped down the wall and applied thin coats, but each coat just seems to be picking up the dust from the last. The wall doesn't seem that absorbent in places. Did I go wrong with the plastering? I've heard adding a bit of casein to the limewash can help? There are prep coats but that seems a shame?
This photo doesn't really get it across. The first coat went on quite dark, then every following coat is much lighter with obvious brush strokes. Any searches for it call it blooming but we have followed all the steps that apparently avoid blooming.


View attachment 18764

Is it possible the wall was too dry (in certain areas)? That can cause brush marks

 

[Samantha L]

Funnily enough I’ve had this issue with my second coat of Mike Wye (Irish Cream) that I did yesterday. I was wondering if I didn’t stir it frequently enough. Mine is not on smooth lime plaster though, it’s on a lime bag rubbed wall. I did wet the wall down well but I think the water perhaps didn’t absorb as well as it could. It seemed to sit on the surface. Perhaps because of the linseed oil they add? Anyway, for my third coat this afternoon I’m going to wet the wall and give it some time to absorb and then spray again before applying the poduct. I’ll also make sure I keep mixing the limewash after every metre square section. I’m not too worried if it’s a bit patchy as my wall isn’t super smooth but I can imagine it would be a bit frustrating if it was.

I did find Mike Wye’s limewash surprisingly thick though. Perhaps I applied to thickly and should have spread it further. I just googled blooming and found a video suggesting another thin layer should fix the problem.