Black paint for lime render

[fallschirmjager]

Hi all. Just joined the site and I must say it is a gold mine of information. I do have a question though which I cannot find the answer to:

I have recently purchased a Grade II listed building in Norfolk (circa 1650) and assume one of the wing's exterior to be lime render which is painted black and requires 'touching up' here and there. The wing I refer to consists of a barn with black cladding to the front and blackened lime render to the rear. My problem is, is that I cannot find any breathable black paint on the market (slate grey is the closest). To that end I assume I have two options; either remove the black paint (as it cannot possibly be breathable in such a colour) then limewash, or find breathable black Paint! I do not want to leave it how it is as it looks unsightly, though there is no sign of peeling, crumbling render or damp.

Is there such a thing as breathable black paint or should I remove the paint with 'Peelaway' and apply lime render?

 

[Feltwell]

Welcome! Silicate paint will go over most surfaces, is breathable - and Beeck claim to do a black one

http://cornishlime.co.uk/media/attachment/file/b/e/beeck_colour_card.pdf

http://cornishlime.co.uk/beeck-full-colour-silicate-paint

https://www.womersleys.co.uk/shop/p..._renders/beeckosil_full_colour_silicate_paint

 

[TheForge]

A silicate paint will be your best bet as Feltwell says. But that’s assuming the current paint has some permeability. Given the colour, if it isn’t already a silicate paint I suspect it’s likely a modern exterior emulsion.

As limewash is inherently white you’ll struggle to add enough pigment to get to black, hence the slate grey colours.

 

[Flyfisher]

Black limewash is available from Ingilby paints in Sudbury, Suffolk. They call it 'Blackish' but it really is black rather than a deep grey. I've used it for the plinth on our lime rendered/limewashed house.
http://www.ingilby.co.uk/breathable.html#ExternalBreathable

 

[fallschirmjager]

Thank you so much for your replies. I am ever so glad I found this site.

 

[Feltwell]

I think my first question would be to determine is it actually lime render, and why is the current black coating flaking off. Anything that's even vaguely loose needs to come off.

A building not being covered in a breathable render doesn't necessarily cause a problem, it *can* cause a problem.

Limewash will likely only stick to lime render. Silicate paint stands much more chance of sticking if it's something else.