Cons of Using Venetian Plaster. Lime-based Venetian plaster will last as long as the building you're putting it in. This material produces a durable finish with a decorative and natural look containing fine grades of marble. Use short, random strokes, and spread the plaster as thinly as possible. What do I do to prepare drywall before applying the materials that make the Venetian marble look finished? Hold the trowel at an angle and pull it across the surface, spreading a thin layer. If you are using synthetic plaster, there are commercial topcoats produced specifically for this purpose. Likely you are not using a stainless steel trowel. It is more easily damaged and harder to touch up. To learn how to prepare a wall for Venetian plaster, keep reading! The Venetian Plaster, Stucco Veneziano, also known in the past times as Ancient Stucco or even as Roman Plaster (Stucco Romano) it is a decorative technique, still used, that employs slaked lime to which is added fine sand, marble dust up to form a compound called Marmorino with a plastic consistency to which sometimes is also added natural pigments in order to give the preferred colors. What differentiates Venetian plaster or lime plaster from other plasters is that there are no aggregates mixed in. The complete and easy to follow tutorial from My Vintage Porch will give you so much inspiration to undertake this project on your own. Based in Ontario, Susan Dorling has written professionally since 2000, with hundreds of articles published in a variety of popular online venues. To create a marble-like Venetian plaster effect in your space, you can use inexpensive paint and faux treatment tools for a fraction of the price of paying a professional plasterer. Do not users painter's tape to protect molding or other walls you are not plastering. Painting A Wall To Look Like Concrete. Which one you use will depend on your budget and level of expertise. Stainless steel trowels are not easy to come by and will likely need to be purchased online or at a specialty retailer. Here is how to do it yourself: Soak a bar or two of Ivory soap overnight. The whipped soap should be thick and not runny or watery. Otherwise, it may crack. Synthetic plaster comes in many different colors and is thought to take vibrant colors better than lime-based Venetian plaster. Last Updated: July 29, 2019 There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. You can create the smooth and elegant look marble and natural stone on your wall by applying Venetian plaster to your walls. How can I put Venetian plaster over lath and screen, the way it used to be done? If using traditional Venetian plaster, hang tarps over your surface so that it will dry slowly and evenly. Loving the way it turned out! If you unsatisfied with the final product after applying the second coat, you may apply a third coat if you wish. We also discuss where you can use Venetian plaster in your home, the application process of Venetian plaster, & the benefits of using Venetian plaster in your home. This is especially true if you are working with lime-based plaster. Rub the finish with a steel trowel to produce a more polished, defined marble-like effect. Fill in recessed areas and cavities, and cover the original wall surface completely. If you have followed all the above steps diligently you will feel very proud as you have not only learned how to apply Venetian plaster, you have also done a great job that everyone will admire for many years. To get plaster into tight spots, such as in a corner or along molding, simply apply the plaster with your finger using latex gloves. While anyone can apply Venetian plaster (especially the synthetic variety), creating the beautiful look of an authentic Italian home is an art that experienced craftsmen spend years learning. To learn how to prepare a wall for Venetian plaster, keep reading! Unlike the "faux-finish" of synthetic plasters, they are durable and retain their beauty longer. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Plaster is not paint. The modern version of Venetian plaster has a multidimensional look featuring a textured, slightly raised surface that is the result of two or more layers. The friction and heat thus generated will produce a defined marble like glossy appearance. Venetian plaster looks like marble with the added advantage of being much less expensive. If you are using an acrylic paint as a topcoat, use an acrylic primer. 10. Marble dust is sold in bags and commonly used by the kitchen, bathroom, fixture and pool construction industries. If you are planning to stay in your home for a long time and have the budget to do so, you may wish to hire a professional. Normal soap and water is your best bet. Many of the finishes are totally smooth, making them very difficult to be damaged by dirt. Then, using a trowel with sanded corners, apply 2-3 coats of plaster. Hold the trowel at a 15 to 30-degree angle, and wipe it often with a clean, dry cloth to prevent dried bits of plaster from affecting your pattern. I always wanted to have one of my walls to appear looking like concrete. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Writing on a diverse range of topics, she reflects her passion for business, interior design, home decorating, style, fashion and pets. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Allow this first coat to dry for about 4 hours. Continue mixing the putty and marble dust. 11. Synthetic plasters can be burnished any time between about four hours and seven days after the last coat has been applied. I couldn't stand the bumpy Venetian plaster walls that were just trying to mask an old dingy room that had 5 coats of paint on the molding . Now, that will give you a nice base to apply the other color while keeping the Venetian plaster intact if you like it. Even if it cheaper than marble, venetian plaster is much more costly than paint. It is a good idea to start at the top, in a corner. This color will peek through your other layers of paint in some areas around the surface of the wall. A mild steel trowel will leave gray or black streaks. On the other hand, true Venetian plaster is harder to come by, more expensive, and more challenging to work with. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. 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