Covering decorative plaster with wax. Find out the recipe and do it yourself!

Wax is added to decorative plaster to give it a protective layer in addition to improving its appearance. By using this easy technique, you can give your plastered walls a distinct, polished appearance by highlighting their texture and depth.

Waxing your plaster is an easy do-it-yourself project that requires only a few supplies, depending on whether you want a more pronounced finish or a subtle sheen. You can accomplish results at home that look professional with the correct recipe and procedures.

We’ll walk you through the steps of making your wax mixture and applying it to your decorative plaster in this article. You don’t have to be an expert to create a gorgeous wall finish; all you need to do is follow the instructions.

Description

Beeswax, either natural or synthetic, is used as a finishing and protective agent for decorative plaster. It becomes a film that ensures the strength and beauty of the plaster underneath after polishing and hardening.

When applied at the very end of finishing, wax gives it a finished look because

  • favorably shades its structure;
  • gives a mirror shine, or matte;
  • makes the pattern clearer.

Furthermore, the wax coating gives the plaster the appropriate shade and shields it from moisture and mechanical harm when needed.

What types are there

There are currently two types of wax coatings based on their structural differences:

  • gels: allow you to get a mirror shine, reminiscent of polished marble, suitable for dense and hard plaster;
  • liquid solutions: absorb well, but are not durable, suitable for porous, textured surfaces.

Wax’s composition can be:

  • natural (water-based): gives a glossy shine, safe for health;
  • synthetic (acrylic-based): increases resistance to mechanical damage and temperature changes, makes the surface matte;

The material’s color is chosen with the intended interior style in mind. It may have a metallic sheen, be colored, or be transparent.

A variety of ready-made compositions are available for finishing. Popular brands like Parade, VGT, Dali, Decorazza, San Marco, and so on are your options. Take note of the wax’s color—whether it’s colored or translucent—in the packaging.

Present cost of the material:

Waxing decorative plaster can give your walls a lovely sheen and shield them from dirt and moisture. This post will provide you with a basic recipe for DIY wax coating and detailed instructions on how to apply it. You can improve the longevity and aesthetics of your plastered walls with a professional-looking finish and a few simple supplies and careful labor.

Tinting

In order to fully appreciate the texture and color of the plaster, craftsmen typically use transparent wax rather than tinting it. However, occasionally, golden-yellow compositions that produce an antique effect are preferred.

The protective layer’s shade can be altered if the primary coating lacks any prominent decorative features.

You can use water-based paints for this. They work well with any acrylic piece.

Depending on the color you want, different amounts of coloring agent will be used. Wax is mixed with gold or silver leaf to create the illusion of veins.

But always keep in mind that the dried wax will always weigh less than the solution. Thus, we advise applying the colored mixture to the wall’s least noticeable area before beginning the main work, letting it dry, and then assessing the outcome.

DIY recipes

It is worthwhile to take into account a homemade solution when deciding what to cover decorative plaster with. You can use one of the recipes that finishing masters develop through practice to create your own "wax" composition. Below, we’ll provide a few examples.

No. 1. Composition from Roman Odarchenko

Using this approach will need:

  • glue for non-woven wallpaper – 2 parts;
  • glossy acrylic varnish (for example, panel varnish) – 1 part;
  • decorative paint (pearl, gold, silver, etc.).n.) – 0.5 parts.

Such liquid wax will be used up in 120 g of space per square meter.

Assuming you already possess the required parts, you must take the following actions:

  1. Dilute the glue in accordance with the instructions included with it.
  2. Let the solution sit for half an hour.
  3. Mix the glue with varnish and paint.

The video below walks viewers through the entire preparation process.

As the last protective and decorative layer for Venetian, the master blends this substance with Venetian plaster 1:1 and uses a metal spatula to apply it to the tears (glosses).

№3. From beeswax or paraffin

This mixture is primarily used for wooden products, and it will obviously be very costly when applied to large areas of plastered walls.

You must do the following:

  • Paraffin or beeswax – 2 parts.
  • Linseed oil – 1 part.
  • Turpentine – 1 part. It is sold purified (odorless) under the name "Terpentine oil".
  • Fat-soluble dyes (for candles or food).

After being grated and melted in a water bath, paraffin is combined with other ingredients. A creamy-consistency material that is ready for application is produced after cooling.

If you choose to make your own decorative plaster wax instead of purchasing premade, we suggest using the first recipe, which is based on acrylic varnish. This is a quick and low-cost option to prepare.

Step Description
1. Prepare the plaster Mix the decorative plaster according to the manufacturer"s instructions. Make sure it is smooth and free of lumps.
2. Apply the plaster Spread the plaster evenly on the wall using a trowel or spatula. Create the desired texture or pattern while the plaster is still wet.
3. Let it dry Allow the plaster to dry completely. This could take a few hours or overnight, depending on the thickness of the application.
4. Prepare the wax Melt beeswax in a double boiler and mix it with a small amount of turpentine to make it more spreadable. Optionally, add a few drops of color pigment for a tinted finish.
5. Apply the wax Using a soft cloth or sponge, apply a thin layer of wax to the dry plaster. Work in small sections, buffing the wax into the surface as you go.
6. Buff the surface Once the wax is applied, use a clean, dry cloth to buff the surface until it shines. This step gives the plaster a smooth, polished look.
7. Let it cure Allow the wax to cure for at least 24 hours before touching the surface. This ensures the wax hardens and protects the plaster.

One easy, yet powerful, way to preserve and improve the look of decorative plaster is to apply wax to it. In addition to protecting the plaster from moisture and wear, applying a layer of wax gives it a lovely, polished finish that brings out its texture and color.

It’s easy to mix your own wax solution. Whether you want a matte, satin, or glossy finish, you can get it by mixing solvent with natural wax. It’s an ideal do-it-yourself project because the application process is simple and doesn’t require any specialized tools.

You don’t have to pay a contractor’s fees to give your walls a polished appearance by following these steps. Your decorative plaster will look amazing and be well-protected for many years to come with a little work.

Video on the topic

Imagine wax how apply wax to walls

That"s why we choose lime marmorin 🤩 We make a regular GROTTO, and get MARBLE without wax 🤩

homemade wax for decorative plaster

What type of plaster do you prefer to use in your projects?
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Andrey Ivanov

An experienced builder with more than 15 years of experience. I specialize in plastering and decorative finishing. I started my career as an ordinary worker, gradually accumulating knowledge and skills in various finishing techniques. Now I share my experience to help beginners master the craft and avoid common mistakes.

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