Roller plaster and its application methods

Because roller plaster is so easy to apply and efficient, it’s becoming a popular choice for many plastering projects. Applying a plaster mixture with a roller can make the process easier and result in a smooth, uniform finish. It’s especially helpful for quickly and mess-free covering large areas.

To get the best results, applying roller plaster requires some planning and skill. This method can be a great substitute for more conventional plastering techniques because it is quick and looks professional. Whether you’re a professional or a do-it-yourself enthusiast, knowing the right tools and techniques can greatly improve the quality of your finished walls.

This post will discuss the various roller plaster application techniques, along with advice on how to prep the surface and get a perfect finish. Roller plaster is a useful tool for plastering, whether you’re building a new wall or remodeling an existing one.

Application characteristics.

Many qualities of roller plaster have led to its widespread use:

  1. Universality of application. This material can be used for finishing both internal and external walls.
  2. Strength of connection with the surfaces to which it is applied. It adheres perfectly to concrete, brick, plasterboard walls.
  3. The coating is “breathable”, therefore a comfortable microclimate is maintained in the house.
  4. Resistance to environmental influences. It does not crack in the cold and does not lose its appearance from the rain.
  5. The area covered with “bark beetle” can be painted in different colors. For this, coloring pastes are used, which are added to the mixture of powder and water.

Pearlescent paints and varnishes can be used for the final finishing touch. This gives the impression that the surface is marble. The plastered wall is easily painted with acrylic paints, so you can always change its color.

You can purchase a variety of "bark beetle" varieties. Differentiate between plasters with medium, fine, and coarse grains that are interspersed.

Choose a fine-grained texture for small areas. It will look great in hallways and on the walls of small rooms. Coarse-grained materials can be used to adorn offices, grand halls, and building facades.

Temperatures between 0 and 30 degrees Celsius do not affect the prepared solution’s characteristics.

The main varieties.

"Bark beetle" comes in two primary varieties: gypsum and acrylic. Although acrylic coating requires more skill to apply, the result is more exquisite. This type is part of the VGT Rolller plaster variety.

It does not need to be bred because it is sold already completed. It needs to be colonized before application because it is white in the packaging. Work with such materials should only be trusted to experts in the field.

Because even skilled artisans cannot paint every bucket the same colors using acrylic composition, tinting is done on specialized machines found in construction stores.

The material made of gypsum is offered in bags. It appears to be a powder. By adding the necessary amount of water, it is simple to prepare a solution out of it. Such plaster is much more obedient during the work than acrylic, and gypsum material is less expensive.

How to properly prepare the walls.

On vertical surfaces, this kind of coating works perfectly. It will hold its decorative qualities for a long time on the walls. Certain varieties of bark beetle plaster are appropriate for ceiling finishing. Furthermore, such plaster cannot be used to cover the floor due to its high abrasion susceptibility.

Furthermore, no amount of costly protection will be able to keep the floor’s coating as good as that of the building’s walls or facade.

In order to get the surface ready to apply the roller mixture, you ought to:

  • cover concrete, stone, wooden and brick walls with regular plaster, and then apply putty. The Shetrok brand or its analogues will do;
  • cover the putty surface several times with acrylic primer. The primer is pre-tinted to match the plaster that is going to be applied. If the surface is porous, then select a deep penetration primer. In a hardware store, you can choose a primer brand that is optimal in terms of price and quality. If the plaster is to be applied to a wall that is painted with oil paint, then it must be treated with sandpaper.
  • on old walls that have traces of nails and screws, pre-apply 2 layers of waterproofing primer (you can use Gidrostop). This is done so that traces of rust do not appear on the plaster.

Tools that will be needed for roller application.

You must get ready in advance in order to work:

  1. Painting spatulas of 100 and 300 mm.
  2. A plastic trowel, which will be used to create the pattern. A Venetian trowel is also suitable for this work, with its help you will create a better and more beautiful coating.
  3. A bucket in which you will collect warm water, and a rag for cleaning the spatula during work. The mixture dries quickly, so to avoid unnecessary scratches, the spatula must be cleaned of dirt.
  4. An electric drill for mixing the plaster solution.
  5. Container for preparing the mixture. To avoid differences between the shades of the material from different cans, part of the plaster from one container is mixed with the solution from another.

Applying plaster to walls can be made easier and more uniformly smooth with roller plaster, which is a versatile and effective method. Compared to conventional methods, this one uses a roller to apply plaster, which speeds up the process and reduces mess. Knowing the correct methods for applying, smoothing, and finishing roller plaster can result in results that look professional in less time and effort.

Roller plaster is the main method of application.

Starting from the lower corner on the right, work is done. Gather the material with a small spatula and transfer it to a large one to apply an even layer of plaster to the surface that has been prepared. They attempt to avoid creating gaps at the same time.

It is best to complete this work in tandem because the material hardens rapidly. Here, one master coats the wall with plaster, and the other uses a Venetian trowel to level it.

After a few minutes, when the coating layer starts to dry, decorative finishing can start.

The coating is ready to start its decorative finishing process when it starts to lose its sheen.

How to make a decorative pattern on "bark beetle".

The procedures for applying roller plaster remain the same even though there are two varieties. To make a roller pattern, you have a few choices:

  • Vertical. A plastic trowel is pressed against the wall and a pattern is created with movements from top to bottom and vice versa.

  • Circular. Circles of different diameters are drawn in an arbitrary direction.

  • Cruciform. First, long vertical lines are applied, then they are decorated with short vertical stripes.

  • Travertine method. To create a beautiful texture, you need to rub the plaster with short, chaotic strokes.
  • Cork texture. To create it, a polystyrene foam trowel is used instead of a trowel. During the work, circular patterns of a small radius are made, which are necessarily drawn in one direction.
  • Heterogeneous coating (carpet) – a plastic trowel is used to create lines in a checkerboard pattern, an imitation of interlacing stripes is obtained.
  • Pattern "world map" – the pattern is applied in 2 stages. The first layer is done in the usual way. After the base has dried, the second layer is applied in small areas, forming a map pattern. This method should be performed by craftsmen with creative abilities.
  • Method "rain" – the plaster is rubbed along diagonal lines from right to left with short movements. Stencil drawings look beautiful on such a pattern. They look like shaded paintings.

Using a dry spatula, go over the wall surface once finishing is complete to even out the texture and smooth any jagged edges. If you don’t do this within 30 minutes of plastering the wall, the plaster will dry out.

What mistakes should not be made when applying.

When doing such work, be mindful of the humidity and temperature. Plaster cannot be applied when the temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius. The technological process will also be of low quality if the room is over +30. Direct sunshine has a negative effect on the roller mixture. It is not recommended to use it when it is raining. It must be dry for the wall to be worked on.

Keep an eye on the plaster’s thickness in the can; it needs to be the right consistency. If the mixture is too thick, add more water than the directions say. Acrylic compounds are exempt from this. For instance, VTG roller plasters don’t require the addition of water.

Reapplying material that has fallen off the trowel is not recommended. It is not possible to cover the wall in phases with breaks since this will show the joints between the separate sections. It is preferable to invite multiple craftsmen and complete the work all at once.

If the task cannot be completed without joints, the plaster’s edge should not be smoothed out to make its continuation less obvious.

Sanding is an option if you did not have enough time to soften the drawing’s jagged edges before it solidified.

Roller Plaster Type Application Method
Textured Roller Plaster Apply using a roller with a texture pattern. Roll the plaster evenly across the surface, then smooth it out with a brush or sponge if needed.
Standard Roller Plaster Use a standard roller to apply the plaster in even strokes. Make sure to cover the entire surface and blend the edges to avoid visible lines.
Decorative Roller Plaster Apply with a roller, creating patterns or designs as desired. You may need to use special rollers for intricate designs. Allow to dry completely before touching up.

A smooth and polished wall finish can be accomplished quickly and easily with roller plaster. Plaster can be applied swiftly and evenly with a roller, which reduces labor requirements when compared to more labor-intensive techniques. This method works particularly well on large surfaces where uniform application is essential.

Choosing the appropriate roller and plaster type for your project is crucial when applying roller plaster. Choosing the right plaster is essential to achieving the best results as they differ in terms of properties and drying times. Furthermore, utilizing a high-quality roller will reduce the need for touch-ups and help achieve an even coat.

All things considered, roller plaster is an excellent tool for wall finishing that makes plastering easier. Your walls will look better and last longer if you use the correct supplies and methods to create a faultless surface.

Video on the topic

Marmorin, a simple technique for applying decorative plaster!

Decorative plaster "Roller". Bark beetle.

Master class on applying textured plaster VGT. World map with glaze

Venetian plaster – the "Textured" application method

How to apply bark beetle to walls

What type of plaster do you prefer to use in your projects?
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Elena Sokolova

Architect and interior designer with a deep interest in traditional and modern methods of wall finishing. On the site I share tips on choosing materials and techniques that help create a cozy and stylish space.

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