This guide will cover preparation, the types of paints that should be used, application advice and recommendations on suitable colours.

Since the 19th century, cement harling was often used in place of traditional lime harling; unfortunately this system is very hard and does not allow the external walls to breathe. This can lead to dampness building up and is most obvious where old lime harling has been ill-advisedly patched with modern cement.

Commercial premises and shops have a long tradition of having their facades painted to draw attention to themselves and to advertise what they sold. This tradition still continues today, but where it does happen, it is important that the harmony and unity of the whole façade, including such aspects as lettering and signage, is maintained. Detailed advice and guidance on this aspect is available from the Wirral Council Planning Department. Needs to be provided

Look for signs to identify areas that may lead to serious problems in the future

• Loose or flaking paint
• Any mould or fungus growth
• Plant growth in cracks (e.g ferns; buddleia; moss)
• Signs of flooding the inside of the building

The optimal choice depends on the type of paintwork being fixed. Sample areas of paint should first be removed to determine the most appropriate method for each situation. Directions for applying the stripper and cleaning and neutralising the area afterwards must be carefully followed. This needs listed building consent.

Where modern masonry paints have already been used, remove any loose or flaking paint by scraping or wire brushing. Any mould or fungus growth must be removed using a proprietary anti-mould treatment according damaging stonework or flooding the inside of the building. Normally a pressure water wash is only allowed up to 200psi; any higher and consent is required. Make sure that the wall has dried out completely before repainting starts.

Paint should be replaced by limewash. Limewash and lime-harling are specialised products and although less simple to use than modern masonry paint, give a most attractive appearance. You should get specialised advice before using these materials.

For Heritage Building built in 20th Century a different approach is needed. There are three main types of masonry paint available today. a) Water-borne ones use modern acrylic emulsions and are easy to apply by brush, roller or spray. b) Solvent-borne ones use a synthetic rubber resin and last well, but release a lot of Volatile Organic Solvents (VOCs) when they dry to the manufacturer’s instructions. e.g. Pliolite ® resin paints VOCs – Volatile Organic Solvents, which contribute to atmospheric pollution. e.g. the Scottish Lime Centre, 01383 872 722 , www.scotlime.org c) A group are called ‘silicate’ paints and although not traditionally used in this country, have been used in Europe for over a century with good results.

Where possible, modern cement render should be removed and replaced with traditional lime harling. Having done that, use the advice below regarding paintwork on traditional mortar. There are several proprietary paint stripping systems available on the market for removing paint from stone such as steam-cleaning, or alternatively a poultice system may be used to remove multiple layers at one application. There maybe supplementary planning guidance on such paint removal [ Needs to be written] .

It is difficult to give advice on such a variety of different external surfaces, but the general principle is never to paint dressed stone surfaces and to use traditional materials like limewash to decorate harled surfaces.

The ingos of doors and windows (see image) should also not be painted.

In Georgian properties, paint should never be used on masonry. Wherever existing paint on masonry needs to be renewed it should be replaced by limewash. Limewash allows walls to breathe and protects the underlying masonry.

Note: Applying limewash to unpainted or un limewashed walls requires planning consent, which will normally not be given.

Sometimes ingos (see picture) have in the past been painted. Such paint should be removed. If the general masonry is unlimewashed then the ingo should also be unlimewashed.