Can I apply over existing synthetic paint?

It depends on the condition. Sound, non-chalking, well-bonded dispersion coatings can usually be primed with LEINOS Mineral Plaster Primer 622 first — the primer creates a uniform mineral base for the topcoat. Flaking, chalking, or oil-based finishes must be fully removed back to a sound mineral substrate.

Is this paint breathable?

Yes. LEINOS mineral wall paints are fully breathable (vapour-permeable), allowing moisture to pass through the wall structure naturally.

How do I prepare the surface?

The surface must be clean, dry, and structurally sound. New plaster must be fully cured (typically 4 weeks). Prime with the recommended mineral primer.

Is LEINOS Lime Paint safe for bathrooms and kitchens?

Yes. The TDS explicitly lists 665 as suitable for humid rooms. The vapour-permeable lime film handles steam without bubbling, and the naturally alkaline pH suppresses mould growth on the surface without any added biocide. The principal cause of bathroom paint failure (trapped moisture behind acrylic film) does not apply to lime paint.

Do I need 622 Mineral Plaster Primer under 665?

It depends on the substrate. For sound, evenly absorbent mineral plaster older than 3 weeks, primer is optional — apply 665 directly. For chalking old lime walls, very porous cement plaster, mixed-age patched repairs, or gypsum board, 622 first evens the absorbency canvas so the lime paint goes on uniformly. When in doubt, use 622 — it never hurts the system.

Can I tint 665 to a custom colour?

Yes. 665 is supplied natural white and is tintable on site with LEINOS 668 Pigment Concentrate (lime-fast pigment range, maximum 20% addition by volume). The lime-fast specification is critical — only lime-fast pigments survive the high alkaline curing chemistry. Standard universal tints will fade or change colour as the lime cures.

How long until the lime paint reaches its final colour and durability?

The paint reaches full hiding power and matt finish after the second coat dries (approximately 24–48 hours). Full carbonation cure — when the lime film reaches its final calcium-carbonate hardness and characteristic chalky depth — happens over 4 to 6 weeks of normal atmospheric exposure. Ventilate normally during this period.

Is 665 a biocide or antimicrobial-tested coating?

No. 665 contains no added biocide and no synthetic preservative. The natural mould-resistance derives from the high alkaline pH of fresh and curing lime, which is hostile to mould spores and most surface bacteria — a chemistry traditional builders have relied on for centuries. This is a chemistry-driven natural resistance, not a tested antimicrobial EN-16615 specification.

Can I apply 665 over existing emulsion paint or acrylic walls?

Generally no. Lime paint requires an absorbent mineral substrate to bond by chemical continuity (carbonation). Existing acrylic emulsion films, silicone water-repellents, or oil paint layers form a polymer skin that lime paint cannot penetrate. Existing coatings must be fully stripped back to the mineral substrate, or the wall must be re-plastered, before 665 will perform as specified.

LIME PAINT · ART. 665

The lime paint that breathes through Indian humidity.

Name: Lime Paint
Brand: LEINOS
SKU: 665
Availability: InStoreOnly

LEINOS 665 — Sumpfkalk-based mineral wall paint for heritage and modern interiors. Vapour-permeable. Naturally mould-resistant through high alkaline pH. Solvent-free. Made in Germany by Reincke Naturfarben since 1985.

Sumpfkalk binderVapour-permeable (Sd ≈ 0.01)VOC <1 g/lMade in Germany

Download TDS

Mechanism & Use

How 665 lime paint works.

Slaked lime cures by reaction with atmospheric CO₂ — the paint hardens into a microcrystalline calcium-carbonate surface chemically continuous with the mineral wall beneath. The wall keeps breathing. The high pH keeps the surface inhospitable to mould.

Carbonation binds the paint to the wall

Slaked lime (Sumpfkalk) is calcium hydroxide in water. As the paint dries, atmospheric CO₂ converts it into microcrystalline calcium carbonate — the same mineral the wall’s lime plaster is built from. Chemical continuity, not adhesion.

Vapour-permeable — Sd ≈ 0.01 m

The cured lime film stays open-pore. Water vapour passes freely in both directions — monsoon humidity absorbed, winter dryness released, no condensation trapped. No bubble or peel under steam.

Naturally mould-resistant — high alkaline pH

Fresh lime cures at pH approximately 13 — hostile to mould spores, mildew, and most bacteria. The alkaline residue keeps the finished surface unfavourable to mould growth. No added biocide. The chemistry is the protection.

Suitable for humid rooms

TDS explicit. Bathrooms, kitchens, basement walls, coastal-humidity interiors — wherever conventional emulsion paints bubble, mould, or peel within a season. The canonical mineral finish for humid Indian interiors.

The Chemistry, In Plain Words

Slaked lime (calcium hydroxide, Sumpfkalk) is the oldest known mineral wall paint. Calcium oxide is burned out of limestone in a kiln, slaked with water into creamy white putty, then dispersed with chalk and marble powder for opacity, titanium dioxide for whiteness, and cellulose ether for suspension stability. No resin, no solvent, no polymer. On an absorbent mineral wall, water carries the lime into the substrate’s pores; as the water leaves, atmospheric CO₂ converts the calcium hydroxide back into calcium carbonate — the same mineral the limestone was burned from. Three coats over two days; full carbonation over 4-6 weeks. The wall does not have a coating on it. The wall has more wall.

The cured surface is microcrystalline calcium carbonate with a continuous open-pore network down through the paint film and into the substrate. Water vapour from monsoon humidity, kitchen steam, bathroom condensation passes through freely — absorbed from the room, released through the substrate, no film for water to be trapped behind. The principal failure mode of conventional emulsion paint on Indian humid-room walls (polymer film traps moisture, cracks, blisters, peels within 1-2 monsoons) does not apply to lime paint. The second story is the alkalinity: fresh lime at pH 12-13 is hostile to mould spores and most bacteria, an alkaline residue heritage builders have relied on across tropical climates for centuries. Not an EN 16615-tested antimicrobial claim (we do not claim that) — a chemistry-driven natural mould-resistance the buildings themselves demonstrate.

Where It Lives

Where 665 Lives

See real projects with 665

Rajasthani heritage haveli interiors

Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner heritage residences and hotels. Original lime-plastered walls, often two or three centuries old. 665 keeps the heritage breathability alive — the paint cures into the wall’s own mineral matrix, no plastic film, no seasonal repaint cycles.

Lucknow nawabi residences + Delhi heritage interiors

Original lime plaster and Surkhi mortar walls of Awadhi and Mughal-era buildings. Conservation-grade lime paint specification, compatible with traditional substrates that reject modern emulsion films.

Coastal-humidity bathrooms and kitchens

Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Chennai. Where standard interior emulsion bubbles and peels under steam, monsoon humidity, and condensation. Lime paint’s vapour-permeable and alkaline-mould-resistant chemistry handles the wall stress that defeats acrylic coatings.

Wellness studios, ayurvedic spas, yoga shalas

Health-led interior projects where solvent-free, breathable, mineral coatings are part of the air-quality story. No off-gassing, no synthetic preservative, no plastic film between occupant and substrate.

Modern cement-plastered residential walls

Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai apartments and villas. Standard cement plaster (cured ≥3 weeks) over 622 primer. 665 reads as a soft matt heritage finish — the texture and depth conventional emulsion cannot produce.

Restored heritage hotels, museums, conservation interiors

Where the specification requires traditional materials with documented German manufacturing rigour. LEINOS as the bridge between Indian heritage craft and EU compliance documentation.

See real projects with 665

Compliance · Natural Ingredients · EU

Documented lime chemistry. No film-forming polymers. No biocides.

Three anchors that let architects specify 665 for heritage and humid-room projects without disclaimers.

EU Compliance

VOC <1 g/l

EU limit 30 g/l · Cat. a interior matt walls (water-borne) · Directive 2004/42/EC.

InVeNa — Initiative Verband nachhaltige Baustoffe

Institutional Pledge

InVeNa Member

Reincke Naturfarben — full-ingredient-disclosure pledge for natural building products.

Origin

Made in Germany

Manufactured by Reincke Naturfarben, Lower Saxony, est. 1985.

The TDS and SDS are downloadable below. Where you need a written specification packet — full ingredient declaration, VOC compliance letter for an architect’s submittal, lime-paint compatibility statement for a heritage conservation project, or a humid-room performance brief for a hotel specification — it is available to architects and contractors on request. Use Get Expert Advice above.

Read The Full TDS

Step by Step

How to Apply

Substrate inspection — wall must be dry, sound, absorbent, clean, free from efflorescence. Remove sinter skin mechanically from new plaster. New base plasters at least 2-3 weeks old before painting. Test for water-soluble discolouring substances by misting a small area; if brown or yellow streaks bleed through, seal with an appropriate insulating primer first. Pre-wet strongly absorbent old lime paint coats with a damp sponge.
Prime chalking and highly absorbent surfaces with LEINOS 622 Mineral Plaster Primer. For sound, evenly absorbent lime or cement plaster older than 3 weeks, primer is optional — apply 665 directly. For chalking lime walls, very porous cement plaster, or patched repair zones with mixed substrate ages, 622 first evens the absorbency canvas.
Stir thoroughly + dilute with up to 20% water. Pour into an open painter’s tray, add up to 20% water, mix to uniform milky consistency. ALL coats are diluted at the same ratio (TDS — the product is NOT ready-to-use). In hot conditions or on very absorbent substrates, additional water may be needed. Continue stirring during application to keep lime particles suspended.
First coat — apply evenly with a brush or wide masonry brush. Work in all directions so brush strokes overlap and the lime paint penetrates uniformly. Avoid running and pooling on smoother patches. Full hiding power is achieved only after drying — the wet first coat looks translucent; this is normal.
Second coat after 24 hours at 20 °C / 50% RH (longer at higher humidity). Apply the same way as the first — brush work in all directions, full 20% water dilution. If the first coat has dried highly absorbent, pre-wet the surface with a damp sponge before the second coat to prevent patching. Brings the lime to its uniform matt white opacity.
Optional third coat for variable substrates + full cure. Heritage walls with mixed-history patches or very porous lime plasters may need a third coat for uniform colour. The lime film cures fully over 4-6 weeks through atmospheric carbonation — chalky depth and durability develop over this window, not on day two.

Application Conditions

Ambient and surface temperature above 5°C; substrate fully dry.
New base plasters must be at least 2–3 weeks old before painting.
Avoid direct sunlight and strong air-draft during application and the first 24 hours of cure.
Protect adjacent wood, glass, metal, and floor surfaces — lime is alkaline and stains permanently on raw wood and corrodes aluminium.

Coats & Recoating

2–3 coats depending on substrate.
Recoatable after approx. 24 hours (at 20°C / 50% RH).

Cleaning & Storage

Clean tools immediately with water; LEINOS Plant Soap 930 for hardened residues. Do not use solvents on tools or skin.
Store cool but frost-free (5–30°C). Shelf life (unopened): approx. 12 months.

Airless Spray

Nozzle: 0.025"–0.031". Gun filter: none. Main filter: Mesh #30. Pressure: 150–180 bar. Spray angle: 50°.

First time with Lime Paint? Our technical team runs complimentary on-site walkthroughs for contractors — full application protocol, start to finish.

System & Substrates

The lime topcoat for interior absorbent mineral walls.

Two coats of 665 over sound mineral plaster — or 622 primer first if the substrate is chalking or highly absorbent. Lime paint behaves as a chemically continuous surface, not a coating film.

The Coating System

Primer plus topcoat — the full chain.

Primer Coat (optional)622Mineral Plaster Primer

Lime Paint Topcoat665Lime Paint

Tinting On Site

Mix your own custom shade at the site with LEINOS pigments.

On-Site Tint668Pigment Concentrate

Substrate Fit

665 works on — and what it doesn’t.

Suitable

Recommended substrates

Lime plaster + lime rendering (heritage haveli interiors, conservation surfaces)
Cement plaster (modern residential, commercial, after 2–3 week cure)
Brick (interior face, sound and absorbent)
Mineral fillers + lime-based finishing plasters (LEINOS 684 + heritage stuccos)
Sound, non-chalking old lime paint coats (after pre-wetting with damp sponge)

Honest Limits

Where to use a different product

Wood substrates — lime alkalinity stains raw wood permanently. Use the LEINOS wood-finish line instead, starting with LEINOS 290 Interior Hardwax Oil
Metal — lime alkalinity corrodes aluminium and zinc on contact. Mask, prime with primer designed for ferrous metals, or use a different coating.
Glazed ceramic tile and non-absorbent surfaces — lime chemistry needs a porous mineral substrate to fuse with.
Gypsum board without primer — gypsum can react with calcium hydroxide over time. Always prime first with LEINOS 622 Mineral Plaster Primer
Existing film-forming acrylic, silicone, or oil paint layers — strip back to the mineral substrate first.
Exterior surfaces — use LEINOS exterior-mineral facade paints.

Use With Care

Working safely with 665

Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, ≥8h breakthrough) and safety goggles during application. Lime is alkaline — splashes cause serious eye damage (H318), not mere irritation.
Avoid skin contact with wet paint. Causes skin irritation (H315). Wash any splashes with plenty of water and soap immediately. Do NOT use solvents on skin.
When airless-spraying: wear a P2 or P3 respirator. Lime droplet mist is a regulated respiratory irritation hazard (H335, EUH211). Ventilate the workspace strongly.
Mask and protect adjacent surfaces — raw wood, aluminium, zinc, glass, terracotta, and natural stone. Lime is permanently staining on raw wood and corrodes aluminium and zinc on contact.
Keep away from children during application and the first 24 hours of cure. The cured wall surface (calcium carbonate) is inert and safe; wet paint is not.
Store the sealed pail cool but frost-free (5–30°C). Shelf life approximately 12 months unopened. Dispose of dried product residues with household waste; liquid residues per local hazardous waste regulations.

Full safety data sheet, in PDF.Open SDS

Coverage & Pack Sizes

Lime Paint pack sizes: two coats per wall, 54–86 sq ft/L.

Coverage on the card assumes one coat. Two coats are the canonical specification. Plan an extra coat for heritage walls with mixed-history patches or very porous lime plasters.

Most Specified

2.5L

Covers

70–110 sq ft

2 coats, absorbent mineral

Best For

Single feature wall, bathroom, kitchen, or accent area.

10L

Covers

270–430 sq ft

2 coats, absorbent mineral

Best For

Full room interior, multi-room project, heritage wall conservation work.

Coverage Calculator

sq ft

Enter your floor area to see how many litres — and the most efficient pack mix — you’ll need for 2 coats.

Documented Applications

See this product in real projects

Recent projects finished with Lime Paint. Factual captions, real footage — no staged photography.

Mineral Surface

Sage Green Painted Walls in Living Room

Mumbai, Maharashtra

View project

Mineral Surface

Colourful Giraffe Mural on Lime-Painted Wall

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

View project

Mineral Surface

Bathroom Walls with Anti-Mould Lime Paint

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

View project

Mineral Surface

Warm-Toned Textured Lime Paint Walls

Pune, Maharashtra

View project

See all projects with 665

Full Declaration

Composition

Every ingredient declared on the label. The Trust Hub explains what each one does and the standards behind it.

Slaked Lime (Sumpfkalk)
Calcium hydroxide creamy putty — the primary binder. Cures by atmospheric CO₂ reaction into microcrystalline calcium carbonate. CAS 1305-62-0, 20–30% by mass per SDS. The chemistry that defines lime paint.
Chalk + Marble Powder
Calcium carbonate fillers — provide body, opacity, and the chalky matt depth characteristic of cured lime surfaces. Inert mineral fillers, no further reaction during cure.
Titanium Dioxide
Mineral white pigment for opacity and whiteness. CAS 13463-67-7, 1–10% by mass. EU classifies dust/respirable form as H351; the cured paint film is safe and not classified hazardous. EUH211 spray-droplet warning applies during airless application only.
Cellulose Ether
Plant-derived rheology stabiliser — keeps the lime suspension uniform in the pail. Burns off during carbonation; not present in the final mineral film.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked

Quick answers on formulation, application and Indian-climate suitability. Pulled from our full FAQ and TDS library.

: It depends on the condition. Sound, non-chalking, well-bonded dispersion coatings can usually be primed with LEINOS Mineral Plaster Primer 622 first — the primer creates a uniform mineral base for the topcoat. Flaking, chalking, or oil-based finishes must be fully removed back to a sound mineral substrate.
: Yes. LEINOS mineral wall paints are fully breathable (vapour-permeable), allowing moisture to pass through the wall structure naturally.
: The surface must be clean, dry, and structurally sound. New plaster must be fully cured (typically 4 weeks). Prime with the recommended mineral primer.
: Yes. The TDS explicitly lists 665 as suitable for humid rooms. The vapour-permeable lime film handles steam without bubbling, and the naturally alkaline pH suppresses mould growth on the surface without any added biocide. The principal cause of bathroom paint failure (trapped moisture behind acrylic film) does not apply to lime paint.
: It depends on the substrate. For sound, evenly absorbent mineral plaster older than 3 weeks, primer is optional — apply 665 directly. For chalking old lime walls, very porous cement plaster, mixed-age patched repairs, or gypsum board, 622 first evens the absorbency canvas so the lime paint goes on uniformly. When in doubt, use 622 — it never hurts the system.
: Yes. 665 is supplied natural white and is tintable on site with LEINOS 668 Pigment Concentrate (lime-fast pigment range, maximum 20% addition by volume). The lime-fast specification is critical — only lime-fast pigments survive the high alkaline curing chemistry. Standard universal tints will fade or change colour as the lime cures.
: The paint reaches full hiding power and matt finish after the second coat dries (approximately 24–48 hours). Full carbonation cure — when the lime film reaches its final calcium-carbonate hardness and characteristic chalky depth — happens over 4 to 6 weeks of normal atmospheric exposure. Ventilate normally during this period.
: No. 665 contains no added biocide and no synthetic preservative. The natural mould-resistance derives from the high alkaline pH of fresh and curing lime, which is hostile to mould spores and most surface bacteria — a chemistry traditional builders have relied on for centuries. This is a chemistry-driven natural resistance, not a tested antimicrobial EN-16615 specification.
: Generally no. Lime paint requires an absorbent mineral substrate to bond by chemical continuity (carbonation). Existing acrylic emulsion films, silicone water-repellents, or oil paint layers form a polymer skin that lime paint cannot penetrate. Existing coatings must be fully stripped back to the mineral substrate, or the wall must be re-plastered, before 665 will perform as specified.