Decorative plaster bark beetle application to the wall: types, composition, technology and painting

Decorative plaster, sometimes referred to as "bark beetle," is a well-liked option for giving walls character and texture. Because of its distinctive pattern, which mimics the organic grooves beetles leave in wood, spaces are given a rustic and organic feel.

Not only is this kind of plaster aesthetically pleasing, but it is also long-lasting and adaptable, which makes it ideal for use in both indoor and outdoor settings. The type and composition of the plaster, in addition to the application method, determine how the final product will appear.

This post will discuss the various varieties of bark beetle plaster, its composition, application techniques, and painting techniques to improve its look. Whether you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast or want to work with a professional, knowing these fundamentals will help you get the greatest results.

Aspect	Details
Types	Bark beetle plaster comes in two main types: mineral and acrylic. Mineral is natural and breathable, while acrylic is flexible and durable.
Composition	Mineral plaster is made from cement, lime, and crushed marble. Acrylic plaster contains synthetic resins and fillers for elasticity.
Application Technology	Apply the plaster to the wall with a trowel, then create the bark beetle texture by rubbing with a plastic float in circular or linear motions.
Painting	Once the plaster is dry, you can paint it with facade paint. Choose a color that complements the texture and apply it with a brush or roller.

Types and composition

Given that fractionated stone chips were used to form the structure, this type of finish is equivalent to pebbles. Roller plaster is a comparable material to bark beetles. The process of rolling solution-containing granules creates the grooves. Manufacturers have extended the bark beetle effect to all major finishing mixture types by using the same filler but different binders. The lines feature ready-made facade and interior wall decoration solutions as well as dry form mixtures.

The acrylic resin-based decorative plaster bark beetle is a solution. It stands out for its strength, resilience, rich color, and elasticity. Although fire retardants are added to the mixture, it is not advised to use acrylic resins for walls where open fire is used because they are flammable materials. The composition is made available for use at work.

The powdered mineral plaster bark beetle is combined with a cement binder. It needs to be diluted with water before use. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use as an interior decoration. The primary drawback of mineral compositions is their stiffness, which causes cracks to show up as the base moves forward. It is not advised to use in areas with unstable seismic activity or close to railroad tracks.

There is ready-made silicone plaster available. The most elastic and long-lasting mixtures are silicone-based ones. Even with the long service life, the high cost remains a significant drawback. The mixture turns white when it’s done. tinted prior to usage. This also holds true for compounds consisting of silicate and silicon.

Only finished plaster is available for purchase. Liquid glass makes up its base. incredibly robust, water-resistant, and clean-up-easy. It may, however, chip or crack.

Silicate is not used for interior wall decoration because, when it hardens, it releases no hazardous substances.

It is separated into fractions with sizes ranging from 1 mm to 3.5 mm (with gradation of 0.5 mm) based on the composition of the grains (filler – marble chips, granite, etc. rocks, coarse sand, or granules of artificial materials – ceramic, synthetic). Indoors, mixtures with medium and fine grains are utilized.

In decorative plaster sand, the smallest sand fractions—less than one millimeter—are frequently utilized.

Advantages and disadvantages of use

The following are unquestionably superior to textured bark beetle plaster:

• low specific gravity of the coating,
• good thermal insulation and noise absorption,
• simplicity and ease of application, even a beginner can handle bark beetle plastering of walls,
• hides some defects and flaws of the base,
• durability,
• resistance to fungus and mold
• withstand different temperatures in a wide range,
• washable.

Certain types might not benefit from additional benefits.

• environmental friendliness,
• elasticity,
• good adhesion to all types of bases,
• not afraid of UV radiation,
• breathable coating.

• the main disadvantage is the difficulty of repair or restoration in the event of a chipped surface: it is difficult to choose a color and apply the appropriate relief pattern so that the repair site does not stand out),
• difficulty of painting due to the peculiarities of the surface relief,

After applying a composition with especially inexpensive components, color fading, chips, and cracks start to show after three to four years.

Tools used

It’s very easy to apply decorative bark beetle plaster. The following equipment and tools are required:

• for applying the solution – a trowel,
• for forming a pattern – a plastic float,
• a spatula for collecting the mixture on the trowel,
• a falcon – will come in handy when working on large areas,
• a container for preparing a mineral solution,
• a mixer,
• masking tape (for indoor work),
• a rag.

Surface preparation

The resulting mixtures exhibit varying compositions and levels of adhesion. Their adhesiveness determines how they are marked. The solutions are only used on the walls because they don’t stick as well on ceilings. Bark beetle must first prepare the base surface before being applied to the wall.

• remove the remains of the previous coating, "treat" large cracks and chips with fiberglass mesh and cement mortar,
• degrease the base surface and clean it from dust,
• insulate, if necessary, with sheet material as expected with mesh,
• prime the surface.
• if the surface requires it (for example, polystyrene foam), install a reinforcing mesh

AVOID priming when in contact with concrete.

Only a specific type of primer is appropriate for decorative bark beetle plaster. A primer composition containing quartz sand is required. It is applied in two layers using a roller. A silicate primer is required for silicate compositions.

A common option for giving walls texture and personality is decorative plaster bark beetle, which provides a distinctive finish that resembles the patterns made by wood-boring beetles. This post will walk you through the various varieties of bark beetle plaster, its ingredients, how to apply it step-by-step, and how to paint for the best results. Regardless of your desired style—rustic or modern—this adaptable material can be made to suit a variety of looks.

Application technology

It must be done in accordance with the guidelines to avoid ruining the finish:

1. follow the instructions given on the packaging of plaster mixtures,
2. so that the strength properties do not suffer, the layer thickness should not be less than the size of the stone grains and much greater than it,
3. the temperature during work should be within +5 °C +35 °C (if it is not a winter bark beetle – special mixtures for work at temperatures not lower than minus 10 °C),
4. the surface should not be exposed to direct sunlight,
5. the wall should not be exposed to precipitation until the coating is completely dry,
6. the wall should be leveled as much as possible,
7. the solution should be stirred regularly, as pebbles settle to the bottom,
8. the solution that has dried during work should not be diluted with water (it will fall off the walls later),
9. the intended plane should be plastered without interruptions in one day.

Preparing the mixture

It is necessary to prepare the mixture before beginning work. Dilution of dry mixtures must be done precisely as directed. Twelve to twenty degrees of water are poured into the container. The dry mixture is then gradually added to the water after the bag has been opened. Add colorant to the solution if it needs to be colored. Using a mixer, stir until smooth, then let stand for ten minutes. Next, stir once more.

Prior to use, prepared solutions are blended and tinted. Additionally, mix using a mixer if not tinted.

How make bark beetle plaster with your own hands

DIY Gypsum, cement, or acrylic plaster mixtures are used to make decorative bark beetle plaster. They are supplemented with sifted stone chips of the necessary fraction. Sand burdens the solution, so it is unnecessary to add it. For use in apartments, you can buy marble or granite chips (0.1–0.2 cm, 0.2–0.4 cm) for the facade. Crumbs cause the solution’s structure to alter, becoming looser. Thus, the need for a plasticizer arises. PVA works well for interior projects.

Prepare the water (a little more than needed, per the directions for the dry plaster mixture) and measure out the necessary ingredients.

1. Take crumbs by volume (a tenth of the finished solution).
2. Dilute dry powder with part of water.
3. Add crumbs.
4. Dilute PVA glue with water and pour into the mixture.
5. Add water to achieve the desired thickness of the solution.
6. Perform a test application of the solution, check whether it is necessary to add more crumbs. If necessary, then add.

Read also: Venetian plaster for marble: tools, composition and secrets of technology

How to properly apply decorative bark beetle plaster to the wall?

The mixture is applied to the cleaned prepared wall with a wide spatula or trowel. The layer thickness is equal to the grain size of the largest fraction. It is better to work in sections of 1 m2. Start applying the solution from the bottom up from one of the lower corners of the wall to the other, gradually rising to the top. The solution is applied with a spatula to the trowel and all of it is transferred from the trowel to the wall in one stroke. What remains on the trowel is thrown back into the container. This cannot be left on the trowel, since there is a lot of liquid and few grains in the remainder.

Anything that is still on the spatula after the layer has been leveled in the first pass should be thrown away because it is no longer useful.

Allow the layer to partially set after applying it. Depending on the solution’s type and thickness, this time frame may range from five to ten minutes. If your hand does not stick to the surface, it is considered ready for applying the pattern.

Application of the bark beetle (drawing)

Rolling the grains of the majority of the mixture between the float and the base yields any of the many patterns that are inherent to this kind of finishing. A groove is left in the re-laid mass by the moving grain. The rolling grains’ trajectory determines how the pattern appears. For every pattern, the grooves have a different length and direction. Both curvilinear and rectilinear grooves are present.

After positioning the float so that its whole surface is on the layer, move it in the desired direction:

• Vertically, if the pattern is rain,
• turning the float and moving it chaotically, if the pattern resembles the ligature of woodworm traces,
• alternating movements right-left, up-down get a "carpet" pattern,
• circular and spiral rubbing gives a "lamb" pattern.

The process of making decorative bark beetle plaster involves two steps: first, grooves are made (it’s important to ensure that the grooves are evenly spaced throughout the wall’s surface); after 30 minutes, once the pebbles are fixed, another smoothing with a trowel is completed. Areas devoid of grooves get smoother and more even at the second stage.

To avoid the solution drying out, it is best to apply and rub the solution into the wall in pairs.

If a break is intended, a distinct layer boundary is created and masking tape is adhered to. The tape is taken off once the layer’s border has been applied and decorated. Additionally, the edge of the dried layer is taped shut before any work is done on the nearby area.

Decorative bark beetle plaster is applied using various color solutions to create colorful patterns on walls. A section of one color is pasted over at the edges, using tape around the outside. The tape is taken off once the grooves are put in place. The area has dried. The edge of the dry layer surface is taped off to prevent the application of a different color solution before beginning to apply one on the bordering section.

In the event that the wall finishing is subpar, the bark beetle plaster can be repaired as follows:

• remove all protruding patches with coarse sandpaper, remove dust,
• to level the surface, apply an even layer of Rotband, let it dry,
• apply a primer for deep impregnation with a roller, dry,
• apply a quartz primer with a brush, trying to fill large pores, let it dry,
• apply the bark beetle to the wall and make a new pattern.

Professionals, however, understandably lean toward a different choice. The procedure outlined yields a coating that is twice as thick. It is more substantial and has the ability to "play" at any time. Consequently, the only way to remedy the situation is to remove the incorrect coating entirely and apply a new one "from scratch." As a result, it is preferable to complete the finishing from the start with excellent quality and adherence to the guidelines. Covering the failed design with a fur coat plaster is another way out of this predicament.

Plaster consumption

The diameter of the largest grains is equal to the thickness of the mortar layer that has been applied. The layer being laid is thicker the larger the grain size. As a result, the amount of decorative bark beetle plaster used per square meter may vary. It also depends on the plasterer’s technique, experience, and the product’s manufacturer and brand (the mixture’s technical specs are listed on the package). One can use a calculator to determine the approximate consumption of bark beetle plaster. The average consumption per square meter of wall is between 2.5 and 3.5 kg/m2.

Use in interior and exterior decoration

Manufacturers provide varying qualities for these types of finishing mixtures. Bark beetle plaster for external facades has to withstand hard outdoor conditions. Summer heat is intense, followed by winter rains and occasionally hail, with temperatures as low as -50 °C. For the walls to provide long-term protection, they must be protected from exhaust gases and an aggressive environment. used for gazebos, fences, and the house’s exterior walls.

Bark beetle plaster is used for interior work when finishing the walls of a space entirely or just certain parts of it, like columns, openings, etc. It functions better in softer environments. Consequently, only elements that provide resistance to aggressive influences are included in façade mixture compositions. Furthermore, fillers with a fraction size of no more than 2 mm for premises and three mm or more for facade finishing are more appropriate. Universal mixtures are an additional option that is in between.

Decorative plaster that has been premade and contains granules is frequently used as a coating over thermal insulation. In order to achieve this, a substrate—a layer of glue reinforced with a polymer mesh—is applied to the thermal insulation sheet. Bark beetle coating can be applied without the need to install a reinforced base beneath the plaster because of its low weight.

Painting

Painting of completed coatings is utilized to introduce color to the decorative coating on a cement base. For interior painting, acrylic and water-based paints are utilized. Paint that dissolves in water, such as silicone, acrylic, or silicate, is applied to the decorative bark beetle plaster facade. It is best to use paint that is made by the same company as the plaster mixture. The grooved plaster coating is closer to stone on the outside. Think about how colors will blend with the natural stone tones when choosing colors.

Typically, facade coatings are painted a single color. Large painting projects are completed mechanically. Fur rollers are used for painting by hand.

Two colors are more frequently used in interior decoration. Knowing how to paint a bark beetle in two colors is essential for a do-it-yourself decoration to look respectable. Painting in the same style as above is the easiest. First, a fur roller is used to paint a single color over the entire surface. Only the top of the colorful layer is painted with a different color of paint after it has dried. There is no effect on the grooves. A foam roller is utilized for this.

You can paint decorative stucco bark beetles in a different way. It involves applying acrylic varnish that has been tinted. Using a sponge to help, the varnish is rubbed so that it stays mostly in the grooves and does not stay on top. Wax is applied to the finish’s surface after the varnish or paint has dried.

A distinctive and textured finish provided by decorative plaster bark beetles can completely change the appearance of any wall. It adds character to your spaces and works well for both exterior and interior applications thanks to its unique pattern and adaptability.

The secret to getting the best results is knowing the kinds, composition, and appropriate application methods. You can guarantee a long-lasting, eye-catching finish by properly prepping your walls and according to the instructions.

It will make a big difference to apply and paint the bark beetle plaster correctly, whether you do it yourself or hire professionals. This kind of plaster gives your walls more resilience against deterioration in addition to improving their visual appeal.

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