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

With the amazing method of venetian plaster, your walls can have the opulent appearance of marble. This age-old technique, renowned for its deep colors and rich textures, can add sophistication and timeless style to any area. Whether your goal is to improve your living room or add style to a hallway, Venetian plaster provides a luxurious appearance without requiring actual marble.

The plaster’s special properties are a result of a mixture of natural ingredients, such as marble dust and lime. To get the desired result, the application needs to be used with particular tools and methods. The secret to learning the technique is to comprehend these instruments and the makeup of Venetian plaster.

This post will discuss the necessary equipment, the ingredients of Venetian plaster, and the techniques’ hidden tricks that contribute to its remarkable efficacy. You can create stunning finishes that mimic marble with a little knowledge and practice, which will improve the aesthetics of any space.

Composition and history of appearance

How did decorative plaster from Venice appear?

It is lost in the millennia when coating mixtures based on natural binders were first used. During the II–IV centuries, Theophrastus lived. The mineral gypsos, which is notable for its stickiness and warmth released during mixing, is described in BC.e. After crushing and moistening it, the stones were attached to it. Both gypsum and lime were referred to by the word "gypsum." Vitruvius, writing in the first century BC, talks about the creation of marbled plaster, a six-layer finishing coat that is as strong as natural material and strengthens walls. The methods used to create Venetiano, or stuke-overeating plaster, were different in ancient times from modern technology.

In archaic Greece VII-VI centuries. BC.uh. marble stucco or stucco/stucco was used to decorate temple walls. The finish imitated white marble and consisted of gypsum, crushed marble and lime. The Greeks spread this technique during the Hellenization era. Stuccos with a shiny, glossy white surface appeared among the Etruscans on the Italian Peninsula before the formation of the Roman Empire. The Venetians of ancient Rome had a thickness inside the buildings of 1.6 mm, and outside – up to 76 mm. Their main advantage was mirror-like properties, high strength, resistance to weather changes. Often their surface was decorated with fresco painting. Later, the Venetians, who were the trendsetters of their time, took over the baton.

Since then, Venetian plaster’s composition hasn’t changed much. The ingredients of the remedy are as follows:

• marble dust,
• fine-grained stone chips,
• lime dough,
• water.

Aside from the standard ingredients, the mixture can also contain artificial or natural coloring, different breeds of marble chips can be used in place of the chips, and latex emulsion is added to the solution. For interior work, there is also marble plaster that is made entirely of calibrated marble.

It is said that "handless" plasterers invented these coatings to cover up their mistakes.

When used to decorate a wall, Venetian plaster always has an opulent, almost magical appearance. As a result, it has decorated affluent people’s homes for centuries. Due to its uniqueness, interior Venetian plaster always gives a room a distinctive design. Different methods of applying coatings allow designers to be creative. These days, you can find it in apartments belonging to individuals from all walks of life. The reason for this is that you can prepare the composition yourself, if you know what it is made of, know how to apply it correctly, and have practice, you can elevate the wall with this coating.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let’s examine the main benefits and drawbacks. The first benefits are excellent strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal.

Decorative Venetian also has the following benefits in addition to them:

• unique decorativeness: the surface is given the appearance of natural polished marble or other semi-precious stones, valuable mahogany, metals, silk (this material is best imitated by silk plaster),
• environmental friendliness,
• the ability to apply to various surfaces (the main thing is that they are leveled),
• easy to restore,
• resistance to various influences (temperature changes, high humidity, withstood by the plaster allows it to be used for the facade),
• Crack resistance,
• Fire safety,
• Fast drying,
• provides a healthy microclimate (walls under the coating are breathing),
• If desired, you can easily be repainted in a different color.

The multi-layer structure of the coating produces the alluring inner glow of natural gems when the light is reflected at an angle. Marble is covered in glossy Venetian plaster that rests the eyes rather than exhausts them.

The drawbacks consist of:

• High cost of work and finished compositions,
• labor capacity (for careful, painstaking work, physical strength is required),
• the need to own the technique of application,
• emphasizes irregularities and other defects of the base.

Also see: Ornamental wood plaster: replication of cork and other wood species, intricate technology

Preparation of the plane of the walls

Finishing calls for diligence rather than haste; each layer must be carefully worked on, and the base must be especially carefully prepared in order to achieve decorative finishing.

The necessary base is:

• perfectly leveled – level with beacons and do not forget about putty,
• reinforced with reinforcing mesh if necessary (if the base is weak),
• degreased – you can use a soap solution for this,
• free from stains,
• primed (acrylic primer is often used for work),
• treated with sandpaper followed by removal of the resulting dust – remove dust with a clean broom or vacuum cleaner,
• dried (at least 6 hours).

It is important to apply the glue underneath the mesh as well as on top of it when installing it.

To guarantee that the finish adheres well to the wall, it is best to prime the wall twice before finishing.

Tool and its features

Trowels and spatulas are examples of metal tools that should have polished working surfaces, rounded edges, and be constructed of stainless steel. This is accomplished by using metal scissors to trim the corners of new spatulas, filing and fine-sanding their edges, or buying a special one. instrument.

The trowel and spatula for work (in any of the techniques) should be free of any nicks. It is necessary to sharpen the spatula. In order to prevent leftover mixture from interfering with the high-quality application of the wall solution during drying, the spatula or trowel’s surface is frequently cleaned with a moist cloth while work is being done.

Purchase a high-quality tool from reputable suppliers. You’ll shield yourself from a lot of problems in this way.

The required instrument for using the Venetian technique is:

• narrow (60 mm), wide (200 mm) spatulas,
• 2 Venetian trowels,
• construction mixer,
• containers,
• roller,
• masking tape,
• sandpaper No. 220, No. 120,
• ruler,
• brushes flute, maklovitsa,
• clean rag,
• sponge,
• thin brush to apply cracks.

Secrets of application technology

Using your hands to apply Venetian plaster is a creative and artistic endeavor. Because of how Venetian plaster is applied, every step of the process is unique. There are multiple methods to achieve various effects such as marble, cork tree, classic Venetian, textured surface, Krakelura, and more. Everything in most techniques is finished in some way, with the exception of the foundational layers. More about correct application of Venetian plaster.

Very detailed and understandable video on imitation of marble

Coloring the mixture

White is present in the Venetian mixtures themselves. Consequently, the desired kner (natural or synthetic) is added to the wall prior to applying them in order to achieve the desired tone or shade in them. Remember that the solution brightens with drying: two tones without wax and one tone with wax coating. It is best to start with a finished mixture from one manufacturer and a chopper of the desired color.

Professionals use flower fans so they don’t make mistakes with the king, selecting the desired shade during the day at the location of future work.

This kind of finish can have a wide range of colors. It is contingent upon the design. Natural stones are most frequently imitated. The primary hues in this instance are emerald, yellow, brown, and gray. The color of silk or wood paint is unique. It’s important to keep in mind that natural colors are inherently subdued. Therefore, by adding a drop of black color, the paint’s brightness is muted and the mixture’s color is brought closer to natural. Using a smear of paste on a piece of white paper, the color is examined.

Application of the base layer

For all Venetian techniques, the base layer is applied in the same manner. Using a spatula, apply the mixture to the trowel’s edge. The trowel’s edge is raised by the thickness of a finger when it is pressed against the wall at a slight angle. The mixture is applied to the wall using thin, arcuate trowel strokes that overlap one another by five to ten millimeters.

There is only one rule that applies to all layers: apply the mixture from dry to wet. Thus, there are no surface remnants of the trowel’s original contact with the wall.

It is preferable to treat the walls diagonally when applying a coating that mimics natural marble, beginning at one upper corner and ending at the opposite lower corner. As a result, broad, diagonal stripes with wavy edges are created as working platforms. The desired effect of inclined folding of natural marble is created once the grips are finished if some thickening is done at the junction of the grip edges.

Work involves filling in one-meter-squared sections of walls with mortar. The trowel’s movement in the corners is from their top to the center. At the fundamental level, the solution and the future pattern are formed. As a result, the composition’s strokes are applied somewhat haphazardly. You can apply the mixture using the first movement of the "put-remove" technique, removing any excess with the second movement (transverse direction).

The plastered wall is allowed to dry for six to eight hours, or overnight.

Subsequent layers

Depending on the desired finishing effect, different techniques may be used in their application.

Three layers of a single color mixture are used to create classic Venetian plaster (variations in shade are possible). The texture’s layer-by-layer translucency produces the finishing effect. The finishing pattern is richer when the spatula strokes are shorter and more erratic.

In a similar vein, color combinations are used to create coatings. Additionally, one, two, or three colors can be used in each layer.

For craquelure, a different method of applying Venetian plaster is employed. The base layer is characterized by its increased thickness (up to 2 mm). A hair dryer is used to dry the areas where cracks are anticipated. Temperature, coating thickness, and drying time all affect how wide and deep the cracks are. As in the old technology, the second coat is applied using a mixture of a different color that is required to fill in the cracks.

The Venetian plaster beneath the tree is a combination of color mixing and craquelure techniques. Under the tree, other decorative plaster imitates ordinary boards.

Methodical completion of the "cork tree":

• on the surface of the trowel with a small spatula, place solutions of several colors,
• mix them lightly with a spatula right there on the trowel,
• transfer in a thick layer from the trowel to the wall, creating a spotted pattern,
• immediately dry with a hairdryer until cracks form,
• after 24 hours, the resulting texture is covered with a second layer of Venetian plaster of the desired color for contrast, mother-of-pearl "metallic" or other water-dispersed compositions,
• processed with a grinder, changing circles to increasingly fine-grained ones.

Finishing layer and drawing of marble veins

The following method is used to mimic Venetian plaster or marble under malachite. Tiny amounts of a multicolored solution are placed next to one another on the trowel’s edge using a tiny spatula. Beautiful streaks akin to the color play of natural marble or malachite are created when they are applied to the wall using long, smooth strokes. Additionally, veined young marble decorative plaster is produced. On the trowel, a drop of black is placed between two masses of mortar that are nearly identical in color. With a small amount of rocking, the trowel is moved slowly along the wall surface.

Black water-soluble paint is applied thinly with a brush to create the crack pattern. In the desired directions, the lines are drawn at random. A small piece of clean, damp sponge is used to carefully shade the crack line on one of its sides while the paint is still wet, leaving a thin black strip in certain spots. You can "remove" the line with a clean, damp sponge if you don’t like it.

Polishing and ironing

A spatula is used to iron each layer, excluding the first, giving it a mirror-like sheen. After processing roughly 1 to 1.5 m2 of the wall surface, they return and repeatedly draw along the wall with a trowel or spatula while pressing firmly and keeping the surface nearly flat. The wall surface develops a glassy sheen that gets stronger with every movement of the tool. Wipe the trowel/spatula with a moist cloth. Professionals suggest ironing every layer. The Venetian marble alone gains from this.

Polishing the last layer of the finish involves both vertical and horizontal motions. Using a suede cloth and circular motions, polishing the outer layer is similar to rubbing.

Advice for those just starting out! Before painting the walls of the room, try out your ideas on pieces of fiberboard, plasterboard, or plywood.

Waxing

Wax is applied to the coating’s surface to protect it. Wax shields the coating’s surface from dust and moisture penetration. Using a spatula or sponge, Venetian waxing is applied. To prevent the surface’s color from fading, apply a uniform coat of wax to the wall without allowing any thickenings to form. The wall surface is rubbed until it shines after application.

Is this kind of finish washable? Can’t. Using a moist cloth, it is cleaned. Use a mild soap solution to wash the walls if they are extremely dirty. Adhesives and solvents are not permitted.

The gorgeous marble-like finish that Venetian plaster can produce will turn your walls into an opulent piece of art. This post will walk you through the basic equipment and supplies you’ll need, describe the ingredients in Venetian plaster, and reveal the most important methods for creating that sophisticated marble look. Understanding these components will enable you to master the craft of Venetian plastering with remarkable results, regardless of your level of experience.

Consumption and restoration

The manufacturer either specifies on the packaging or in the catalog the consumption per square meter. To figure out how much composition is needed, use a calculator. Venetian plaster consumption is influenced by the kind of application technology employed, the degree of expertise, and the solution’s composition.

In layers, the consumption per m2 looks like this:

First: 500–600 g/m^2 (upper limit),

Third: 80–100 g/m^ (minimum quantity).

Stucco Venetiano is a coating that can be fixed. It is not necessary to redo the wall entirely; minor flaws or damage can be repaired. Venetian plaster is fixed if it has chips, scratches, contamination over a sizable area, or peeling. In this instance, restoring the appropriateness of the targeted area suffices to remove the coating in its entirety.

Step-by-step restoration of the marble finish:

1. If there are cracks in the plaster, tap the area to determine if the coating has peeled off from the base. Everything that separates from the wall is removed.
2. The freed space is cleaned with a brush from the remains of the previous finishing composition, from dust.
3. The base is primed with a brush with the required primer or a composition of PVA and water 1:5.
4. Plaster mortar or gypsum putty (if the base is made of plasterboard) is applied to the base of the repaired area. The surface of the putty/solution is rubbed to the desired smoothness.
5. Select a decorative solution of the same brand or take an acrylic white composition. Select a color and paint the composition to match the color of the wall finish.
6. The solution is applied with a soft spatula (if the area of ​​the repair area is large, try to repeat the pattern of the strokes).
7. Remove excess solution that gets on the surface with a damp cloth undamaged surfaces.
8. After drying, apply wax or glaze. Polish to a shine.

Tools	Description
Spatulas	Used for applying and smoothing the plaster. Choose flexible stainless steel spatulas for best results.
Trowels	Helps in creating a polished surface. Opt for a high-quality trowel to achieve a smooth finish.
Polishing Pads	Used for buffing the plaster to a shiny, marble-like appearance. Use fine-grit pads for a smooth finish.
Composition	Description
Calcium Carbonate	The primary ingredient, providing the marble-like texture. Ensures durability and aesthetic appeal.
Lime	Acts as a binder and adds to the plaster"s flexibility and adhesion. Use high-quality, hydrated lime.
Marble Dust	Gives the plaster its characteristic marble look. Choose finely ground marble dust for the best effect.
Secrets of Technology	Description
Multiple Thin Layers	Apply several thin layers rather than one thick one. This ensures better adhesion and a smoother finish.
Burnishing Technique	Use a trowel or polishing pad to burnish the plaster. This technique enhances the marble-like shine and depth.
Proper Curing	Allow each layer to cure properly before applying the next. Adequate curing time improves the plaster"s final look and durability.

Gaining proficiency with Venetian plaster for marble requires knowledge of the proper instruments, materials, and methods. You can add elegance to any space with a marble-like finish if you take the proper approach.

Selecting the proper tools is essential. Superior trowels and sponges can significantly alter the finished look. Moreover, a well-prepared mixture guarantees a smoother, longer-lasting plaster application.

Comprehending the composition of Venetian plaster facilitates the creation of an ideal mixture. It usually consists of marble dust and slaked lime, which together give the plaster its unique appearance and longevity.

Ultimately, the secret to getting a perfect finish is honing the application technique. Your work will stand out and impress if you take the time to layer the plaster correctly and polish it to a high sheen.

Video on the topic

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