Venetian plaster and its application technique were invented by the ancient Romans. It received special recognition in Venice several thousand years later (Renaissance), which is why it bears its name. For many Italian artists of the Renaissance, plaster was a favorite material. Its composition has changed little since then. Except that some artificial additives have appeared. Traditionally, plaster consists of marble or granite chips, dye and a binding additive (lime, acrylic or similar substances).
The coating imitates natural materials: marble, malachite, lapis lazuli jasper, etc. The material is capable of conveying an internal glow, the play of light and shadow, against which intricate images appear. Plaster also allows you to get the effect of an old cracked wall. The interior, decorated using Venetian plaster, is imbued with the spirit of the European Middle Ages. The surface can be obtained in different colors, matte or glossy. Venetian plaster is used to decorate the inside of buildings. The working surface must be perfectly flat and specially prepared. From 0.3 to 1.2 kg of material is consumed per “square”. It dries for at least a day. To achieve decorative effects At the finish, varnishes (finish varnish, acrylic), protective wax, glazing pearl composition, decorative additives - gold, silver, bronze, mother-of-pearl, glitter, decorative enamels, water-dispersion paints, structural rollers, stencils, etc. are used.
How the surface is prepared
Before applying Venetian plaster, the surface is leveled and puttied using latex putty. Then the walls are treated with a deep penetration primer, which helps level out the absorbency of the surface and also prevent the appearance of mold and mildew on it. The primer dries in 12 hours. In order to increase the adhesive properties of the surface, it is also treated with a covering primer. The primer used for application is colored, matching the color of Venetian plaster. The drying time of the covering primer is at least 2 hours. After which the surface is cleaned with a spatula.
How the material is prepared
For application, you can use colored Venetian plaster. Coloring desired color You can choose in the store or prepare the material yourself. To do this, dye is added to the plaster; it is better if it is concentrated. Using an electric drill with a “mixer” attachment, the dye is combined with the material. It is necessary to mix for at least three minutes, which will allow you to obtain a mixture of uniform color. After drying, the color of the colored material does not change, which is a feature of Venetian plaster. Therefore, there is no need for preliminary painting. You can see immediately what color the coating will be. The material must be colored with a reserve. After all, you won’t be able to get the same color the next time you mix it. The shade will always be different. Therefore, you need to immediately make enough material to cover the working area.
How to apply Venetian plaster
To apply the material, use a spatula and a Venetian trowel. To cover a stone, the material is applied in layers, but not less than two layers. Consider a three-layer coating. The 1st and 2nd layers are applied with a trowel. The plaster is spread in an uneven layer using the edge of a trowel, moving from dry to wet. This method of application allows you to avoid traces of the initial points of contact of the tool with the surface. The 1st layer dries in an hour or two, depending on the humidity in the room being repaired. The dried surface is cleaned with a spatula or trowel. Then the next layer is also applied, which also dries for a couple of hours. After drying, the wall is treated in the same way as after the first layer. The 3rd layer is applied with a scraper spatula. The result is a translucent layer.
After 30-50 minutes, you can begin ironing and glossing the surface on which the design should appear. The difficulty of this stage is to prevent the formation of scratches and abrasions on the hardened material. Then it will no longer be possible to correct the defects. Therefore, ironing must be done very carefully. The surface is ready, provided that the finishing is done in a dry room. In the case of the intended use of the coating in damp room or if it is planned to be subjected to constant wet cleaning, the surface requires the application of decorative wax.
The surface is covered with wax using a spatula or trowel 24 hours after applying the finishing layer of plaster. The material is applied evenly in a thin layer to the strip, otherwise it will crack and peel. After applying the wax, after 30-50 minutes you can begin polishing using polishing machine or an electric drill with a wax polishing attachment. The nozzle is used from soft material. The frequency should not exceed 3000 rpm, otherwise the wax will burn. Sanding is done until a uniform glossy surface is formed. After polishing, the wax acquires a gloss of up to 80%. The wax dries completely in only two weeks.
Necessary tools and equipment:
- bath with a fur roller;
- spatulas 30 cm and 15 cm;
- Venetian trowel;
- electric drill (mixer attachment);
- polishing machine (wax polishing attachment).
You can give the room originality and a unique interior not only with the help of objects. Suitable for changing the appearance of a roomVenetian plaster, which today will become the object of our research. We will dive into the history of its creation, find out its features, decide on the application technology and find out what tools will be needed in the work..
If the wall we are looking at resembles a marble surface where there are no seams, we can say that it is finished with Venetian plaster. The material in question was invented in Ancient Rome. Our ancestors mixed slaked lime with marble dust, resulting in an elastic composition. Applied to the wall, it looked like natural marble. To enhance the effect, various natural dyes were added to the mixture.
The most popular material was ordinary clay. Its use gave the finish a similarity to natural marble. To make the Venetian marbled plaster finish durable, a layer of wax was applied to it and polished.
During the Renaissance in Venice, Venetian plaster was used instead of marble slabs. It was applied to walls, columns and ceilings. The material responded poorly to fluctuations in t0 and humidity, was easy to process and affordable.
Nowadays, this type of finishing has not lost its relevance. The components discussed above are also used today to prepare the mixture. Modern technologies allow the introduction of other binders into its composition to give the decorative plaster a light or rich color.
Features of Venetian plaster
The features of the “Venetian” include its components and the unusualness of the resulting pattern, which you can read about below. A material that is often found and considered a classic is a material with a marbled texture - Venetian marble plaster.
Although, this can often be finished in silver, gold or mother-of-pearl.
Types of Venetian plaster:
- “Veneto” is a classic that never loses its relevance. It imitates polished marble. Plaster is popular because of its appearance and a relatively low price.
- “Trevignano” is distinguished by the fact that the finished surface has the effect of shining from the inside. This material has many colors and different shades.
- “Ensausto” externally resembles granite in its structure. It is distinguished by a semi-matte color.
The composition of Venetian plaster intended for interior works– this is a waste of processed marble, malachite, granite, quartz. The substance of the working mixture is particles of material different sizes. The smaller they are, the smoother the resulting surface will be.
To work with Venetian plaster you need to prepare:
- A primer that must contain quartz filler. This is for preparatory work.
- Water.
- Plaster mixture.
- Different colors to give certain shades.
- Sandpaper for grouting and sanding with a fine fraction.
- Wax, in paste or liquid form, to protect marble Venetian plaster and bring the work surface to a glossy finish.
- For priming you will need a spatula and a roller.
- You will need a trowel to distribute the mixture.
- Rubber spatula for working with wax.
And also, a rag for wiping working tools and containers for mixtures and water.
Venetian plaster: application technology
Having purchased necessary materials and having prepared the working tool, you will not be able to plaster the walls without preparing them. This stage is the most important, on which the final result of your work depends in the future. Preparing walls for Venetian plaster includes thorough cleaning of old coatings, dust and dirt. Irregularities in the walls are revealed. If there are cracks, they must be removed using sand-cement mortar. Then work surface degreased and impregnated with a deep penetration primer in order to increase the adhesion of the coating and prevent the development of fungi.
Pay attention!
How to apply Venetian plaster: a step-by-step process
In the retail chain, plaster is offered in buckets and has a paste-like consistency.
Considered basic white, to which various dyes are added. You can create a color scheme directly in the store or with your own hands at home. The tool you will need is a drill with an attachment. The mixing process may take 5 to 10 minutes. It is important to do the job carefully special attention point at the sides of the bucket, where there may be unmixed components. It’s easy to check: take a block and run it along the walls. The procedure should be performed several times. The full stage of creating a color scheme can take from 10 to 20 minutes. Now you can start painting.
Advice!
It is possible that the color will change slightly after drying. It’s easy to check: apply a test smear and let it dry. After this you can add dye.
Important!
When the composition is ready, it is impossible to repeat it exactly - there will be differences. Therefore, there is no point in saving. It is better to prepare the mixture with a reserve.
How to apply layers correctly
Methods of applying Venetian plaster involve the use of two or more layers.
It is important to imagine what you want to get in the end. Layers are applied in different ways. But each one must be leveled and polished. Do not forget that before laying the next layer you must allow the previous one to dry. And only after laying the last layer can you begin processing with beeswax. You can use wax made on a synthetic base.
- beeswax gives gloss;
- synthetics - matte.
Wax is not only gloss, but also protection from moisture. Therefore, Venetian plaster can be applied to the walls in the bathroom. At the same time, one nuance should be taken into account: synthetic wax is used for the bathroom.
The rules for laying the first layer correspond to the requirements for applying conventional plaster. The main thing is to get a smooth surface. The process involves the use of a working tool - a trowel, on which a small amount of the composition is taken and rubbed on the wall.
Second and subsequent layers
The second and subsequent layers should be applied in chaotic strokes. A flexible, thin metal spatula is used. It is not necessary to maintain uniform application. It is from chaotic movements that shapes and lines appear on the wall, like on marble. The drying process of each layer takes from one to ten hours. It all depends on the thickness of the layer, the composition of the product, humidity and temperature. Drying details and recommendations should be on the packaging. When the surface is dry, it is rubbed with a trowel. In the process, differences are smoothed out.
Then the next layer is applied to the finished surface using the previously described technology, which is based on random movements. Wait for it to dry again and smooth it with a dry trowel. Depth and brightness largely depend on the number of layers.
Finish stage
The final layer should be applied with a thin metal spatula. The layer should be almost transparent. Not large number the mixture is taken and applied to the surface, pressing the spatula tightly. Then the drying process is already familiar to us, which will take 20-50 minutes.
Ironing process
It is important not to overdry the last layer. It should be slightly damp. We begin ironing by processing small sections of the wall (half a m2). We applied the mixture and rubbed it in, performing circular movements with a trowel on which there should be no chips or cracks. You will see for yourself how the pattern and characteristic shine will appear. Gradually, the “Venetian” will acquire depth and layering like marble.
Working with wax
It is better to carry out this process after the Venetian plaster has dried. This may take from 12 to 24 hours. The wax is applied with a wide spatula in a thin layer.
Beeswax polishing
When the wax dries, which takes 30-50 minutes, we begin to polish the work surface. We use a grinder or drill with a short, soft pile attachment. To ensure that the wax does not wear off, but gradually penetrates the plaster, it is necessary to set the working tool to 3 thousand revolutions per minute.
The process is similar to working with a natural product. Synthetics are used if you need to get a matte shade with protection. The synthetic product dries from 10 to 14 days, and only after this time can it be wiped, washed, and so on.
Basic rules when working with Venetian plaster
What is needed to apply Venetian plaster? It's simple, you need to follow a number of rules. First of all, you need to work slowly, carefully processing each area. Remember that the minimum number of coats applied is three.
The more layers are applied, the more impressive the work will look at the final stage. For example, the best samples made using this technique have 8 layers!
On final stage The surface must be waxed. This will add shine and protect the work for a long time.
Photos of the best options for Venetian plaster in the interior
Samples of Venetian plaster have been prepared especially for you. Look and choose. Maybe some combination will interest you.
8 layers were used in the work
You can create any design using dyes
Venetian plaster looks equally good on any surface
About the pros and cons
The undeniable advantages of the “Venetian” include:
- Waterproof qualities of plaster after waxing.
- Lack of toxicity and complete safety for people, including children.
- In all respects it meets the requirements of fire safety characteristics.
- Venetian plaster is easy to care for.
- Operational period from 5 to 10 years.
There are few disadvantages, but they are:
- High cost.
- Long preparatory part.
- Labor-intensive technology.
In conclusion
You can do the work yourself. But, given the complexity and high cost of the process, it is recommended to contact specialists.
On clear example It will be easier for you to understand the technology of applying Venetian plaster and then do the work yourself. Good luck!
Venetian plaster. As a noble finishing material, people started talking about Venetian plaster relatively recently, although “Venetian” has been used for a very long time.
Venetian plaster was invented in Ancient Rome, and not in Venice, as is commonly believed. In general, the history of the appearance of Venetian plaster is very banal. The main finishing material in ancient times was marble. It was sharpened, sawed, ground and polished. After working with marble, a large amount of waste remained: marble dust, chips and sand. All this waste was mixed with slaked lime, which was the binding element for this material. The result was a mass that could be easily applied to walls using either finishing material or as a basis for frescoes and artistic paintings. And only then, many years later, it was revived in Venice and received its “Venetian” name “stucco veneziano” (“Venetian plaster”). Various natural dyes began to be added to it to add color and variety.
Later, for the production of Venetian plaster, they began to use not only marble, but also: quartz, onyx, granite, limestone and many other stones.
Composition of the "Venetian".
In fact, over many centuries the composition of this material has not changed. The proportions of the components are slightly different due to the use of synthetic additives, but the base remains the same. First of all, dust – granite, quartz, marble and other types of stone. Another component is the binder, as mentioned above, in those days it was slaked lime, but today instead of lime they use synthetic binders, acrylic and other similar materials. The remaining components are water and dyes; now mineral dyes are also being replaced with artificial ones.
The plaster itself, after polishing, becomes transparent, which allows you to achieve an indescribable play of light. Therefore, the preparation of the surface on which Venetian plaster will be applied must be done very well. Otherwise, all the cracks and irregularities on the surface being finished will be visible.
Venetian plaster applied to the surface begins to absorb carbon from the air, as a result of which the process of carbonization occurs in it, i.e. a solid carbon film is formed, which provides unique performance characteristics.
The texture of the coating can be matched to any interior and furniture, this is completely your personal decision, you will be able to create exactly the pattern that you need in accordance with the overall plan.
How to carry out application work.
It should be noted right away that the main difficulty in creating such a finishing coating lies in the technology of its application. This process is complex, labor-intensive and lengthy, but the final result depends on it. Consider the classic application of Venetian plaster. If the operations are performed correctly, after all the work is completed, you should have a result; of course, there are an infinite number of options for shades and textures, but in the classic application it is like this: Using a spatula, take a small amount of Venetian on the edge of a trowel or spatula (choose a tool that suits you more) and apply, starting from the corner. Distribute the material in small areas 10-15 cm in chaotic strokes, the strokes should go at different angles, the more chaotic the better. The size of the strokes will be easy to maintain because the width of the spatulas and trowel for applying this material varies by 10-15 cm. Hold the trowel (trowel) tightly at an angle of 10-15 degrees to the surface. The layers should be very thin (about 1-2 mm). After the first layer has completely dried, the surface is sanded and rubbed with a spatula. Do this carefully so as not to clean off what has been applied - just remove excess material from the surface.
Next, apply the second layer in the same way as the first, trying to keep an even thinner and more uniform layer. After complete drying, we also clean it. We make the third finishing layer “by stripping”, applying and scraping the material with a spatula at an angle of 80-90 degrees, the thickness should be less than 1mm! Dry again. Then we carry out the procedure of ironing (glazing) with a trowel to develop the design. There is a risk of scratches here, so you need to iron very carefully and carefully, and what is very important, do not skimp on tools, use only high-quality spatulas and trowels for this operation, because in expensive tools the quality of steel and the level of polishing of the edges is much higher, they are not “blacken” and do not scratch the Venetian. Use the tool with pressure, but try to avoid damaging the layer; “pinching” will immediately lead to peeling of the decorative layer from the wall. Make sure the trowel is clean; there should be no dried excess material left on it (otherwise scratches will appear immediately). So, upon completion of the ironing, the Venetian plaster coating is ready.
After all the above work, you can start waxing with transparent wax. We spread it over the wall with a thin film (cloth, mitten, spatula or trowel) and rub it with a clean woolen mitten or soft cloth. Waxed Venetian is resistant to stains (it can be easily washed), water and steam, which is suitable for the kitchen, bathroom and other wet areas. The application method described above is a classic application. Naturally, there are many techniques for applying Venetian paint and there is no point in describing them, since you can easily find it all on the Internet.
But, I would like to say a little about some of the problems encountered during the application process in order to protect you from global mistakes. First mistake. Let's start with the fact that there are mineral and synthetic Venetian women (as discussed above) and, as many craftsmen and manufacturers claim, fundamental difference there is no difference in application between them, there is only a difference in composition, but in fact there is one, and it is very large, if not huge. If you are planning a “classic” application or “imitation marble”, it is better to use mineral Venetian, it is definitely more suitable for these purposes. Mineral water was originally created for such applications; it is more flexible and the finish coat looks more natural, has a noble shine and does not “blacken” when ironed, while synthetics in this design will look like plastic. For textured coatings such as “Moroccan” or “weathered stone” you need to use synthetic Venetian, it does not float and holds the texture very well, it is much easier to control during such rather complex application operations.
Second mistake. One Venetian for all colors. There are Venetians for light and dark tones. Base “A” for light, base “C” for dark. But very few manufacturers have different bases, like the example of Iris Deco, they even have three bases, the third base is neutral. But the majority of manufacturers sell the same base for all colors and, as a rule, this is a base for light colors(since it is the most popular), in the end you have a problem, you wanted to get dark walls, and instead of, say, deep black, you get cloudy black with an active gray coating. This all happens due to the large amount of white in such materials. Therefore, under dark colors You should only use base "C" Venetians for dark tones if you want really deep dark colors.
Third mistake. Tinting with low-quality colorants. This is one of the main mistakes that leads to cloudy walls. You will never get a noble, pure and ringing color with cheap colorants; try to use only high-quality pigments, Italian or American, as an example, these are colorants from the Modern Masters Shimmer Stone series.
Fourth mistake. Waxing. Wax is the best protective coating, although it is a classic protective composition; imagine walls rubbed with candle wax. During use, it gets smeared and dust sticks to it, but since there are no other protections, you buy wax. In Venice, old masters rubbed Venetian plaster with laundry soap; soap was the protective compound for such walls in those days. But today, there are varnishes for Venetian plaster, although only from some manufacturers, for example McCloskey “Protective Finish” or Iris Deco “Velato”. Varnish as a protective coating is superior to wax, it is tougher, during use it does not get dirty and dust does not stick to it. By the way, the varnish is very easy to polish, which gives an incredible depth of color to the Venetian; after applying and polishing the varnish, you get completely different walls.
Fifth mistake. An attempt at polishing with a machine. The polisher is only good for polishing the Venetian finish varnish mentioned above. For all other surfaces or protective compounds it doesn’t fit, especially don’t try to polish its mineral Venetian, it won’t do any good. The only way to polish Venetian plaster well is with a good spatula or trowel made of high-quality steel.
Well, the sixth mistake. I remember once I came across instructions for applying Venetian plaster with cracks. A certain master described a method of creating cracks using a hairdryer; he heated the newly applied material with a hairdryer, subsequently cracks formed. Firstly, this technique is more suitable for loft coatings; using a hairdryer, rashes, peeling and aging of the material are created, and to create cracks, craquelure varnish is used, which can now be bought at any store that sells decorative coatings. If, however, you decide to create cracks using a hairdryer, be prepared for the fact that, firstly, the edges of the scales that form the cracks will turn out, and all this will be very clearly visible after patination, when you apply color to make them highlight, and secondly, after drying and further processing, the material may even fall out or peel off, because simply it will not have sufficient adhesion to the primer.
Venetian plaster is an excellent material for decorating ceilings and walls. Stylization to match various natural materials is possible. This decorative coating has quite a large-scale potential, allowing you to achieve original textured and color solutions. Currently on the domestic market building materials There are many different decorative coatings, which are grouped under the general name - Venetian plaster. Professionals call Venetian plaster only coatings that are as close as possible to the original in composition and application technique.
is a relatively new decorative coating containing stone dust and marble particles. This coating gives the walls the effect natural stone valuable species.
The use of such plaster allows you to introduce some stylistic solutions into the renovation of a room that require thorough and fundamental finishing, without spending a lot of money on the purchase of natural stone.
In addition, walls covered with plaster retain the warmth and comfort of the house. And with proper and proper protection, the marble pattern on the walls will delight you for many years.
In order for the skillful pattern to last on the walls for a long time and maintain its original appearance for several years, and maybe even decades, it is necessary to take care of the protective material.
Plaster wax copes best with this task. It creates a light, thin, shiny film on the surface that prevents fading, burning out and protects the decorative coating from dust and possible accidental damage.
Important! A thin layer of wax will give the plaster beauty, practicality and durability
Wax for Venetian plaster: types and differences
There are many treatment compounds on the market. Some of them require professional application skills, others are quite simple and economical. To pick up best option, let's look at the types of wax to protect Venetian plaster:
. gel wax: has hiding power suitable for hard coatings and dense layers of plaster;
. liquid solution: suitable for fragile, porous surfaces, creates a thin protective layer and is quickly absorbed;
For a glossy shine, you can pay attention to natural compositions based on beeswax, such mixtures contain a large amount of water and natural ingredients;
Gives a matte and discreet shine to the surface synthetic solutions, consisting of polymer compounds that are more resistant to indoor use and pollution;
Based on style considerations, you can apply it as transparent, so colored wax for plaster, if the surface needs tinting or color correction.
The cost of a protective coating depends not only on the volume of material, but also on the components included in the composition, the name of the manufacturer, the equipment and raw materials used by him.
Important note! It is better to purchase products from European manufacturers; their quality is beyond praise, although the cost is quite high.
You should not skimp on the finishing solution, since it determines the overall impression of the repair and how practical and durable the coating will be.
Nuances and features of the application process
Apply wax for decorative plaster necessary after the surface has completely dried.
Important! If the plastered wall has already been standing for some time after drying, it is worth cleaning the surface of dust and dirt. A vacuum cleaner with a soft brush will do the best job for this task. Use gentle and gentle movements to collect dust, being careful not to damage the coating!
Many craftsmen, of course, have their favorite techniques, thanks to which they apply wax for decorative plaster in an even and smooth layer. If you doubt your skills, it is better to entrust this work to a professional, so you can be confident in the quality and durability of the result.
However, applying wax to dried plaster yourself is quite possible if you have enough time and patience.
Main stages:
1. Allow the surface to be treated to dry completely;
2. if necessary, clean the plastered area from dirt;
3. cook handy tool; Many wax manufacturers recommend using a trowel, however, without sufficient skills, it will be quite difficult to handle it. Therefore, we recommend using a rubber spatula. This is a simpler and more flexible tool that will allow you to evenly distribute the protective layer.
4. Apply the composition, starting with small areas, having processed one, move on to the next, moving along the surface of the wall.
Important! To avoid unnecessary seams and irregularities on the surface, treat the entire surface or at least 1 wall at a time.
5. Once application is complete, take a soft, lint-free cloth and gently rub the surface until shiny.
Remember that all blemishes can be removed within 4 hours after application. Too thick a layer of the composition can be easily removed with a cloth, and already hardened areas can be cleaned with a rag moistened with white sprit.
In order to give the walls the desired shade, use colored compounds. Transparent mixtures are suitable for complex or ideally colored surfaces.
To perform all steps continuously, stock up on enough material.
Depending on the porosity of the surface and the composition of the plaster, wax consumption may vary. However, as a rule, it does not exceed 50-80 grams per 1 square meter.
If all the work is done correctly and accurately, then thanks to decorative Venetian plaster the wall will look as if it was decorated with natural marble, and the use of gold-plated solutions will give a luxurious and festive look to the surface.
Use high-quality materials: savings are unacceptable here
If you choose Venetian plaster to give your walls a noble and sophisticated look, it is important to ensure good protection. Choose the best and proven materials to get a decent result. You should not skimp on the finishing coat and working tools.
If you are confident in your abilities and have enough time, applying protective wax for decorative plaster yourself will be quite possible. You will need accuracy and concentration, attentiveness and scrupulousness.
Decide what effect you want to achieve, whether the room needs a glossy shine or is it better to choose a matte finish, whether the color of the already applied plaster needs to be adjusted.
Calculate the surface area and buy a solution based on a consumption of 80 grams per 1 square meter. It is better to have a surplus in stock than to urgently buy more composition, taking a forced break from work, which may affect the final result not for the better.
Prepare your tools. Take both a rubber spatula and a trowel; as you work, it will become clear which is more convenient for you to work with.
Also have a sufficient amount of clean, lint-free cloth ready to finish the wall.
Just in case, keep a solvent nearby, it will help remove an already hardened layer applied too thickly, which can excessively darken a section of the wall.
Applying a protective coating is last stage finishing works. All “dirty” work must be completed before the polishing stage.
Let the solution dry and enjoy the result of your work.
Properly applied plaster appears as a single sheet or poured material that has a radiant sheen. It looks stylish and expensive. Accuracy, thoughtfulness, adherence to instructions and a little practice are the key to success of any kind. decorative works. There is nothing overly complicated about applying wax yourself if you work carefully and without haste.
Contrary to the prevailing opinion that applying Venetian plaster is a task worthy only of professionals, there are many arguments that finishing walls with this method is not only easy, but also presents practically no difficulties at all. Unless, of course, we are talking about an ordinary imitation of a marble surface. It is much more difficult to prepare the base than to apply a thin layer of ready-made Venetian plaster on it. Want to make sure of this? Then let's go through the whole process of decorating walls with Venetian plaster step by step and find out the features of its step-by-step application. And then decide for yourself how difficult this whole matter is for you.
Applying Venetian plaster with your own hands photo
DIY Venetian plaster: stage one
The process of applying Venetian plaster begins with priming the surface. To ensure quality and durable coating walls, it is better to use a primer that contains fine quartz sand. When purchasing ready-made solutions of Venetian plaster, ask in the same decorative coatings salon which primer is suitable for a particular mixture. The primer is applied exclusively with a hard brush using chaotic short movements. The fact is that traces of the primer are visible through a thin layer of Venetian and will look ugly against the background of the resulting pattern. It is for this reason that the primer must be applied using exactly the same movements as the Venetian itself. After applying the primer layer, it must be left to dry completely for 6-12 hours.
How to apply Venetian plaster photo
In order not to waste time while the soil dries, you can start preparing the Venetian solution itself. In principle, if you order it at a salon, then the necessary colors will be prepared for you directly there. If you purchased a homogeneous mixture at a hardware store, then it needs to be colored. It is quite difficult to make a solution of the required color manually. It’s like a lottery, maybe you’ll guess the amount of dye, or maybe you’ll ruin the whole composition. Therefore, it is better to use the services of computer equipment (by the way, it is available in almost any construction supermarket). It will be necessary to prepare two types of solution for the Venetian - they should differ from each other in color. One mixture should be lighter and the other darker. You shouldn’t combine different colors at random.
DIY decorative plaster
Application of Venetian plaster: stage two
To apply decorative Venetian plaster with your own hands you will need:
- special trowel made of polished stainless steel;
- small spatula;
- damp cloth.
The process of applying this plaster itself looks very simple. A small amount of mortar is applied to the trowel using a small spatula, after which the trowel is placed against the wall and with a short movement the composition is transferred from the trowel to the wall. It is very important to understand that the layer of the composition must be very thin - therefore the trowel must be pressed firmly against the wall and held almost perpendicular to it.
The next stroke, allowing you to apply a solution of decorative Venetian plaster to the wall, should be directed perpendicular to the previous one - all subsequent strokes are applied in the same way. The most interesting thing is that you can even draw a picture on the wall this way. But we’ll leave this matter to the professionals, and we will achieve the effect of a marble wall - for this, we need to cover the entire wall with the chaotic strokes described above. If we are talking about applying Venetian plaster with your own hands throughout the room, then you should take into account that you need to work on planes - if you start making a wall, then you need to completely finish it and only then move on to another.
DIY decorative Venetian plaster
Applying one layer of decorative plaster is not even half the battle. After 6-12 hours, when the wall covered in this way has dried, you can begin to apply the second layer of Venetian plaster. It is applied in exactly the same way with the exception of two nuances.
- Firstly, for the second layer a composition of a different color is used (or with a difference of one tone in one direction or another).
- Secondly, it needs to be “hardened”, i.e. give a mirror shine.
This is done quite simply - by applying one and a half to two square meters second layer, we go back and, using the same trowel, pressing it firmly against the dried surface and placing it almost flat, we draw it along the wall several times. You will see how with every movement the wall begins to acquire a mirror shine. This process of “ironization” is carried out on the last layer of Venetian plaster - the fact is that to achieve different effects, from two to five layers can be applied to the wall surface. In this case, compositions of different colors can be used. Having applied two almost identical-color solutions, the third one can be used completely different, for example, golden or silver - this will only add depth to the color.
Venetian plaster application technology
Stage Three: Waxing and Polishing
Before proceeding to the final stage, the technology for applying Venetian plaster requires the wall surface to completely dry - you will have to wait from 24 to 48 hours, depending on the time of year and the temperature in the room. This stage is the simplest. The wax is applied to the surface of the Venetian in a very thin layer using the same trowel (a thick layer of wax leads to the formation of stains). The wax coating of the Venetian must also dry thoroughly; 6-12 hours is quite enough for this. After this time, you can start polishing - no special equipment is required for this. The entire operation is performed using a suede cloth - the polishing process is more like rubbing the surface and is performed in a circular motion.
Technique for applying Venetian plaster photo
That’s basically all, now judge for yourself how difficult this process is for you. Well, in conclusion, I would like to say a few words about how Venetian plaster with a cracking effect is made. Here, almost everything is the same, only the first base layer is applied up to 2 mm thick and dried artificially using construction hair dryer– the size of the cracks and their depth directly depend on the thickness of the Venetian layer and the intensity of surface heating. Using these factors, cracks can be controlled and the desired pattern can be created. The cracks are filled with a second layer of Venetian of a different color, and after the third layer, as in the previous case, the surface is given gloss.
In general, applying Venetian plaster can be described as more time consuming than difficult. You can't do this without good practice, so you'll have to practice a little.