Creating decorative plaster from ordinary putty: application methods and video tutorials

Decorative plaster wall transformations don’t have to be expensive or difficult to complete. You can use regular putty to create amazing results if you have a little imagination and some simple tools.

You can give any space some texture and individuality by using the different decorative plaster application techniques that this guide will walk you through. These methods are simple to use, regardless of whether you want a more rustic, textured look or a smooth, elegant finish.

We’ve included step-by-step video tutorials to help you get started with each technique. You’ll discover how easy it is to make lovely, distinctive wall finishes using supplies you probably already own.

What putty can be used?

Gypsum putty comes in all varieties and is used to create decorative surfaces. A finishing type Knauf Uniflot, Knauf Rotband, Ceresit ST127, or their equivalents is the best choice.

• High-strength composition, similar to adhesive, called Knauf Uniflot is intended only for interior work. It has a low degree of shrinkage and is practically not subject to cracking.
• Knauf Rotband plaster is used for plastering concrete walls and ceilings – its adhesion (stickiness) is excellent. The surface is very even and smooth. The mixture has a reduced consumption and is used even in rooms with high humidity.
• White polymer putty Ceresit ST127 is suitable only for interior work. It can be applied to many types of bases, including concrete, cement-sand and gypsum.

The cost of regular putty is:

Decorative surfaces can be effectively created with polymer putties such as silicone, acrylic, and others. When fillers (sand, flock, stone chips, etc.) are added, they are dispersed uniformly. For finishing facades, a less expensive plaster based on cement is utilized.

Preparing the walls

For leveled walls, decorative plaster is recommended. Plasterboard or rough plastering can be used for beacons. Minor wall flaws are not a big deal if textured plaster is the plan.

The walls are primed after they have been leveled.Using a deep penetration primer is preferable since it guarantees that the next layer will be applied uniformly. Depending on the brand, drying times range from two to three hours for Knauf, Starateli, Optimist, and Ceresit.

Sheets of gypsum board, OSB, and other smooth bases that need finishing are coated with an adhesive primer made of quartz sand called "Betonokontakt."

Mixing the putty

Although polymer compositions are slightly more expensive, they are sold ready to use. When using a dry mixture for work, dilute it with water in accordance with the manufacturer’s recipe. Not too thick, but not so thick that it spreads.

The solution can be mixed by hand as well as with the aid of a mixer or nozzle-equipped drill. It is important to keep in mind the material proportions when adding a ring so that you can prepare the putty of the same shade in advance. If not, color joints form on the surface and the color will be uneven. They add no more than 10–15% filler (sand, stone chips, flock, etc.) when making structural plaster. If not, the solution’s adhesion will weaken and its hold will be loose.

You can add distinctive textures and finishes to your walls at a reasonable cost and with creativity by turning regular putty into decorative plaster. This article will walk you through the easy methods and techniques for applying decorative plaster, so anyone can easily achieve results at home that look professional. In addition, you’ll find beneficial video tutorials to guarantee the greatest results.

Application of the base layer

It is preferable to start with the most basic patterns when learning how to work with decorative surfaces. We’ll walk you through each step of applying textured plaster:

1. If only parts of the wall are used when creating decorative panels and coverings, they are marked and the necessary areas are glued with masking paper tape.
2. First, the finished mixture is applied with a trowel or spatula and evenly distributed over the surface. The layer thickness for this type of plastering is up to 10 mm.
3. After the solution has set slightly, they begin decorating section by section from top to bottom.

Creating a decorative surface

Using a roller

A regular roller with a long pile or a special one with embosses can be used to achieve the original decor. There is a wide variety of affordable decorative tools available with a patterned surface. However, you can still achieve the original grainy textures with a regular foam roller that has large pores. Using a sharp knife, you can use it to cut out your own designs.

You can wind a thick piece of cord or clothesline onto the device to create your own DIY decorative roller. When printed, it gives the wall a unique pattern. As an illustration, you could fasten a rumpled plastic bag to the roller. By switching up the tools, you can combine any texture.

Using a notched trowel and spatula

When working, you can use a spatula with V- or U-shaped teeth. You can use the spatula to create rectilinear, wave-, arc-, or chaotic movements, depending on the size and direction of the stroke, which will result in different patterns on the walls. There are teeth-equipped rubber figured spatulas available that let you simulate wood grain texture.

However, you can still make ornamental patterns with a regular trowel. For example, you can give the putty a "fur coat" texture by pressing and moving the trowel away from the wall. Plaster will then appear beneath the stone if you smooth out a portion of the relief.

Available means

The most unusual tools are frequently used to apply patterns at home, such as combs, pieces of foam rubber, crumpled sheets of paper or film, etc. For instance, you can create a silk effect by using crumpled film. You will get unique weaves if you use a comb to "comb" the wet surface. Using a foam sponge to blot produces a grainy texture.

The type of grouting technique used will also affect the outcome; hand movements can be spiral, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or circular.

Putty with filler

Sand, flocks (chips made of several fractions of varying grain sizes added to one solution), stone chips, foam balls, sawdust, synthetic fibers, etc. can all be added as filler to mimic the texture of plaster.

Such concoctions made from ordinary putty ought to be equally applied to the wall. Using a roller with a pattern or a notched trowel, the pattern can be made more intricate if desired.

Stencils and stamps

Stamps, or silicone molds, are widely available for use in the production of decorative plaster reliefs. Dealing with them is very easy. Water is used to slightly moisten the putty. An imprint is left on the wall when the stamp (seal) is pressed against it. This is how different materials, like stone, wood, brickwork, leather, leaves, etc., get their patterns and textures. Stamps are usually made so that the next drawing can be combined with the previous one.

Using stencils requires a little more skill. After the plaster has dried (and occasionally been painted), drawings are added as a second layer. The stencil sheet is pressed up against the wall, and then a small spatula is used to smooth the putty into the slots.

The stencil is taken off once the mixture starts to solidify. The sheet is moved to the next area, and the process is repeated, if you need to cover the entire wall with ornaments. Individual drawings that go well with the finish can also be made.

Painting, varnishing

Plaster that has been colored can be used to finish facades as well as to create fashionable interior spaces. The surface is primed and allowed to dry completely before painting.

The putty can be painted in one or more colors. The technique that follows will effectively bring out the texture:

• First, the wall is evenly painted in a single color using a brush or roller with long pile.
• After the paint dries, the second shade is applied with a roller with short pile, painting only the protruding parts of the relief.
• The painted wall is covered with acrylic varnish to fix the dye and add gloss. You can add glitter to it.

Photo of textures created

You can make a wide variety of textured surfaces, from the most basic to the most intricate, by using the aforementioned methods. You can see some interesting examples in the picture below.

Decorative plaster can be made from regular putty, which is an inexpensive and inventive way to improve the appearance of your walls. You can create a vast array of textures and finishes that rival pricey, pre-made options with just a few tools and techniques.

You can alter the appearance to fit your style by experimenting with different application techniques like troweling, brushing, and sponging. Putty’s adaptability offers countless options, ranging from polished, refined surfaces to rugged, rustic effects.

Video tutorials are a great way to give newcomers to the process guidance. They simplify every step so that you can follow along and accomplish polished results at home. You can add your own special touch to any space with a little practice.

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