The durability and appearance of your decorative plaster can be significantly improved by selecting the appropriate varnish. Decorative plaster gives walls texture and style, but maintaining its color and integrity over time requires sealing it with the right varnish.
In addition to improving the plaster’s appearance, varnish offers a layer of defense against deterioration. With so many options, it’s critical to know which varnishes complement decorative plaster in order to get the right longevity and finish.
This post will discuss various varnish kinds, their advantages, and how to choose the best one for your plastered surfaces. We will walk you through the process to help you make an informed decision, regardless of whether you’re going for a matte finish or a glossy shine.
- Why do you need to varnish the plaster
- Advantages and disadvantages of varnish coating
- What varnish to use for decorative plaster
- Acrylic varnish
- Polyurethane varnish
- Facade materials
- Painting with varnish
- How to prepare a surface for applying varnish
- Tools
- How to apply varnish
- Decorative plaster varnish recipe
- Care of the treated surface
- Video on the topic
- Varnishing Decorative Plaster.
- Applying varnish to painted walls.
- Features of applying VARNISH to WALLS. What properties does it have and how does it differ from PAINT?
Why do you need to varnish the plaster
The plaster coating leaves pores on the wall after it is applied and dries, and the surface itself is a rough pattern of protrusions and depressions. The primary issue that homeowners deal with is the material’s increased brittleness and the surface’s frequent contamination.
A surface devoid of varnish lets dust through, disperses sunlight, and facilitates the growth of fungi and microbes.
Special varnishes with hydrophobic qualities are used to prevent these effects. Furthermore, the varnish coating gives the wall a lovely sheen and helps you preserve the plaster’s color for longer.
Advantages and disadvantages of varnish coating
When the finishing touches are almost complete, varnish coating is applied. The following are some benefits of final treatment:
- Varnish improves the main characteristics of the coating, increasing wear resistance and extending the service life of the plaster.
- Prevents discoloration of the surface under the influence of sunlight, the varnish coating fixes the shade of the plaster.
- Thanks to varnish, you can easily care for the walls, for this it is enough to carry out wet cleaning.
- The final finish gives the wall a smooth and even structure.
- Modern water-based mixtures are environmentally friendly compositions.
- If necessary, the varnish coating can be removed using a solvent.
Among the drawbacks, the subsequent were noted:
- The total cost of finishing works using varnish increases significantly.
- If a section of the wall is damaged, it will be difficult to restore it so that the differences are not noticeable.
What varnish to use for decorative plaster
The primary characteristic that sets apart currently available varnish mixtures is their makeup. The characteristics, caliber, and kind of components that make up contemporary options vary. The location of the varnish application, the type of weather when applying to the facade, and the primary ingredients of the varnish coating should all be taken into account when selecting a varnish.
It is preferable to use eco-friendly products at home that don’t release toxic gases when the temperature rises.
Acrylic varnish
Acrylic varnish is the best option for work done indoors. The option that is being presented is based on an acrylic resin aqueous dispersion. The mixture doesn’t fade over time, is simple to apply to any surface, and doesn’t have an unpleasant, toxic smell. After application, maximum strength is reached in the second week. For the composition to stabilize the solution, more ingredients could be added.
Polyurethane varnish
An assortment of densities of alkyd-urethane resins make up the foundation of the polyurethane varnish coating. The option that is being presented is typically used for processing wooden products, but it can also be used as a plaster finishing coat. The combination offers several benefits:
- Easy to apply to walls, quickly gains strength;
- After applying to the wall, the varnish quickly hardens and forms a durable film that protects the surface from mechanical damage;
- The varnish coating is easy to clean with standard cleaning agents.
This option’s primary drawbacks are its high expense and instability to alcohol (stains may still be present on the wall after treatment with alcohol solutions).
Facade materials
The weather conditions under which facade coatings are used are a distinguishing characteristic of their use. In this regard, compositions based on organic solvents rather than water-soluble mixtures are advised for the treatment of building facades. Among these choices, the following stand out:
- Solutions based on a urethane mixture;
- Oil solutions are inexpensive, but they are more susceptible to mechanical stress;
- The most common option is alkyd varnishes;
- Eco-friendly epoxy compounds.
Painting with varnish
You could try adding a colorant to the mixture to produce a bright design. In this instance, the mixture must be tinted according to the guidelines. After the completed solution has been well mixed, a tiny amount of colorant must be added. The process should then be repeated until the desired shade is achieved. You should test the solution on any available material that resembles the plaster surface in terms of characteristics in order to get an idea of how it will appear on the wall.
You can also add sparkles or metal dust for extra decoration; just make sure to fully mix them into the mixture. This kind of coating is typically used as a finishing coat and applied on top of the base layer.
How to prepare a surface for applying varnish
For this procedure, the wall that needs to be varnished needs to be properly prepped. Although surface preparation is fairly simple, there are a few prerequisites that must be satisfied:
- For processing, you should wait until the plaster layer is completely dry, this takes 1-2 days.
- After the plaster has dried, you must remove all dust and large lumps of material from the wall. For this, you can use brushes or rags.
- If there is already a varnish coating on the wall, it must be removed with special solvents.
- If desired, you can use a primer for better adhesion to the new varnish, but this is an optional procedure.
- The old layer of paint must be removed and the surface cleaned with sandpaper. All the dust that has formed should be completely removed.
Tools
Decorative plaster can be varnished with a variety of tools. The options listed below are thought to be the most practical ones:
- A roller with rounded edges is suitable for acrylic solutions;
- You can use paint brushes to perform the work;
- If you need to cover a large surface, you should use a spray gun;
- An economical option would be to use a cloth or sponge.
You should also buy masking tape to restrict the area of the surface being treated for easier application. Every time you take a long break from work, you should rinse the tool with water to keep it from hardening.
How to apply varnish
You must plan out the algorithm for completing the work ahead of time in order to varnish the walls correctly. There are several guidelines that should be followed when processing:
- The solution can be applied at a temperature of 15-35 ° C, while the temperature of the solution should be at least 13 ° C;
- The humidity in the room should not exceed 80%, there should not be drafts at the place of work;
- When applying, the varnish coating should be distributed evenly, while you cannot take large breaks between the application;
- In the case of multi-layer application between the layers, a break should be taken for 2-3 hours;
- Large surfaces are recommended to be processed using a spray gun, as this will create a uniform layer.
Decorative plaster varnish recipe
Since making varnish by hand is very challenging, you can use the completed mixture and add more glitter or color to it. If you would like to achieve the best possible shade on the wall, you can mix glitter and varnish. To achieve this, mix 1 gram of glitter and 20 milliliters of water with 60 grams of acrylic varnish, stirring everything well. The resultant mixture has a subtle glossy sheen and can be applied as a wall coating.
Care of the treated surface
The surface can be easily maintained thanks to modern materials. If only specific products that won’t harm the surface should be used to wash decorative plaster, you can perform routine wet cleaning on the space after varnishing. Simply wet a rag and wipe the coating’s entire surface to remove dust and debris. While the varnish mixture keeps out water, it lets air circulate through the walls, aiding in the efficient and speedy removal of dirt.
Type of Varnish | Features |
Polyurethane Varnish | Provides a durable and water-resistant finish. It enhances the texture of decorative plaster and is suitable for high-traffic areas. |
Acrylic Varnish | Offers a clear finish with UV protection. It is easy to apply and dries quickly, making it ideal for interior decorative plaster. |
Epoxy Varnish | Gives a hard, glossy finish that is resistant to chemicals and stains. Best for areas that require extra protection and durability. |
Shellac Varnish | Provides a warm, amber tone and is easy to apply. Suitable for areas where a traditional finish is desired. |
To achieve a durable and appealing finish, selecting the appropriate varnish is essential when covering decorative plaster. The varnish you choose should bring out the color and texture of the plaster while offering sufficient protection, regardless of your preference for a glossy, matte, or satin finish. It’s crucial to take into account elements like the surrounding conditions and the desired sheen and durability of the plaster.
Because they are easy to clean up after and have a mild scent, water-based varnishes are a good option for most decorative plaster finishes when used indoors. However, solvent-based varnishes might be more durable and appropriate for outdoor or high-traffic areas where the plaster will be subjected to more abrasion.
In the end, the varnish you select will affect the decorative plaster’s longevity as well as its appearance. To guarantee that your decorative plaster stays lovely and well-protected for years to come, take the time to choose a product that fits your unique needs and complements the design of your room.
Selecting the appropriate varnish to coat ornamental plaster is essential for preserving it and improving its look. This post will help you choose the best varnish by emphasizing aspects like durability, finish, and suitability for various kinds of ornamental plaster. You can make sure that your decorative plaster not only looks great but also withstands normal wear and tear by being aware of these important factors.