Trowel for decorative plaster: types and features of application

Decorative plaster application requires the use of a trowel, and the final appearance of your walls can be significantly influenced by the trowel you select. Knowing the various types of trowels is essential, regardless of whether you want to achieve intricate textures or smooth finishes.

Every variety of trowel, from specialized models with distinctive edges to flat, rectangular ones, has a distinct function in producing different plaster effects. It is possible to have more control over the application process by knowing when and how to use them.

The most popular trowel types will be covered in this article, along with an explanation of their characteristics and practical applications for decorative plastering projects.

What is a trowel

In Russian, the instrument known by its Germanic name, "kelle," is referred to as a trowel. Wikipedia has a more thorough explanation of a trowel. The tool can carry out a wide range of tasks associated with applying and creating a solution. You could, for instance, measure out the necessary quantity of bulk ingredients and combine the mixture. Using this multipurpose instrument, the mixture is applied to the base after being collected with a trowel or placed on a spatula.

The trowel’s straight, smooth side edges allow excess mixture to be easily removed from the wall surface. Using a flat (convex or concave) plate, the mortar layer is levelled. A trowel can be used to remove decorative relief from the plaster mass’s surface layer or for grouting.

Design and characteristics

The plate spatula, the handle firmly fastened to the base, and the handle situated on the handle comprise the main components of the trowel. Every component in the different tool modifications has a unique shape and set of features. They vary according to the kind of operations the model is meant to be used for.

The spatulas’ primary forms are:

• triangular;
• trapezoidal;
• rectangular;
• diamond-shaped;
• teardrop-shaped;
• oval.

Every shape can have unique characteristics, such as pointed or rounded side faces and rounded corners. Steel is the traditional material used to make spatulas. Stainless steel products are widely used; however, their longevity in contact with raw materials is contingent upon the material’s ability to withstand corrosion.

Titanium and brass are two more metals that are used to make spatulas. Plastics and plexiglass are examples of modern materials. The plate’s thickness ranges from 0.5-2 mm.

The solution is polished so that it slides off the plate with ease. The polished stainless steel surface makes the solution fly off especially easily.

Most of the time, the handle is composed of metal.

The way it is attached to the plate can be:

• welded;
• screw;
• riveted;
• cast.

An ennobling, insulating layer can be applied to the black iron handle and working plate surface. Anodizing, painting, or galvanizing are used for this.

The handle’s position with respect to the base is determined by its shape. On the other end, a detachable handle is attached. The ends are finished with a metal cap that strengthens the intersection of the handle and the handle and a mushroom-shaped device called a heel that is used to tap the brick or facing tile that is being laid while the work is being done. The handle is shielded from impacts by the metal heel.

Wood, plastic, rubber, polymer, or metal (rubberized) can all be used for the handle. It should feel good in your hand and be securely fastened to the handle. The plasterer’s palm width is equal to the length of the handle.

The length and maximum width of the blade, as well as the overall length of the product, are the trowel’s main measurements. Every modification has its own set of guidelines. Weight: 0.3–0.4 kg on average.

Like other building tools, the trowel is produced by manufacturers in compliance with State Standard 9533-81.

The main types of trowel

Additionally, there are unique kinds of tools.

You can watch a video, for instance, that demonstrates how to use an aerator scoop with a trowel.

Criteria for choosing a trowel

Plastering results are primarily determined by the quality of the tool and the appropriate modification selection.

• material of the working part (for heavy cement mortars, a metal blade is chosen, for gypsum mixtures, a plastic tool is suitable);
• plate shape;
• product dimensions;
• blade bend shape (plane, convexity, concavity);
• shape, material, convenience of the handle;
• the presence of a tip and a mushroom on the handle;
• weight of the tool;
• suitability for a certain type of work;
• the ability to replace the spatula or handle;
• manufacturer;
• cost.

Methods of applying plaster with a trowel

Using a plaster trowel, there are two primary methods in the plastering trade for applying mortar:

• throwing (performed when applying rough leveling plaster – layers of splash and primer);
• smearing (this method is used to apply primer, cover, decorative compositions).

Another application technique—transferring the mortar by trimming—is exclusive to decorative plastering. Using a spatula, apply the mortar to the plate and spread it across its surface. A portion of the mortar is left in the shape of a fringed imprint by pressing it against the base and pulling the tool away.

For throwing, use a trowel with a handle fastened to the end of the instrument, lifted above the spatula, and moved away from it. After the solution is gathered from a falcon or scouted onto a spatula from a container, the mass is hurled onto the wall with a forceful brushstroke. The movement is limited to the brush alone, swinging and stopping abruptly. The solution shoots off the plate and hits the wall due to inertia.

The solution is thinned before being thrown and hitting the base with a splash that presses into it. To prevent splashing, the throw is softer towards the ground, ensuring that the solution only lands on the base.

Rectangular spatula-equipped tools are used for spreading. Holding the spatula at an angle to the base, the tool containing the mixture is brought up against the wall. After pressing the solution onto the wall using the plate, space the wall and the lower edge of the plate plane apart by an amount equal to the layer’s thickness. An even layer of plaster is spread by running the spatula over the wall’s surface.

There are two types of strokes in decorative plaster: wet-dry, which is the start of a stroke on newly laid mortar, and dry-wet, which is the start of a stroke on an untreated surface.

Applying Venetian layers is thought to be the most delicate work. Using a spatula, apply small amounts of the solution to the trowel’s edge. Arched strokes are used. Since stone flour is used as the filler, the mixture is applied haphazardly in very thin strokes, leaving a space between the trowel’s free edge and the wall that is roughly the thickness of a finger. The base layer is followed by three or more layers of the coating.

Ironing is a crucial step in the process of making a Venetian coating. It gives the finish a smooth mirror appearance and visual depth. The shoulder blade is applied to the wall’s dried surface, and semicircular motions are made along the wall while pressing with both hands. The only stainless steel that is free of black marks is premium quality.

A trowel is an essential tool for applying decorative plaster; different kinds are suitable for different finishes and textures. Each design of trowel, be it flat-edged, notched, or curved, influences the way the plaster spreads, resulting in surfaces that are smooth, textured, or patterned. Knowing which trowel to use and how to apply it correctly will help you achieve the desired decorative effect and a finished look that looks professional.

DIY Venetian trowel

You can make a decorative plaster trowel at home. A Venetian trowel, for instance, is constructed from thin stainless steel sheet.

To accomplish this, carry out the subsequent actions:

• markings are applied to the sheet;
• cut out a rectangular blade for the spatula;
• round off the corners;
• bend the metal rod for the handle and weld one end to the plate;
• cut a thread for the nut on the other end;
• make a handle out of wood, put it on the handle, and secure it with a nut;
• process the edges of the plate with sandpaper;
• polish the entire plate.

A video showing you how to make a trowel by hand.

To get the best results with decorative plaster, selecting the appropriate trowel is crucial. The kind and characteristics of the tool have an immediate effect on the texture and finish.

Understanding when and how to use each type of trowel—from basic flat trowels to specialized designs for particular patterns—can significantly enhance the application process.

You can create amazing surfaces that add distinctive textures and visual appeal to any space with the correct technique and trowel.

Video on the topic

Homemade TROWEL, save a couple of thousand!!! A clean spatula will tell and show everything.

How to choose a plastering trowel? Advice from a specialist at Knauf

Trowel and Venetian plaster

Instructions for applying decorative plaster Farbe Lamb