Introduction
Venetian plasters and Marmorino have been used since the middle ages to create stunning plaster finishes. There are many differing names in use today – often generically referred to as ‘polished plasters’ or ‘marble plasters’ because of the typical finishes that can be achieved. They can be smooth, shiny and marble like or textured (Marmorino) to look like stone.
Our Venetian Plaster is made to a traditional formula based on our own superfine matured lime putty and the finest Italian marble dust together with specially selected natural waxes and oils. It contains no cement, resins or acrylics. We supply it in 54 fabulous colours, plus brilliant white, and also provide a colour matching service. Venetian plaster is designed to be plastered in very thin coats with special trowels or spatulas. The overall thickness will usually be between 0.5 and 1 mm, the number of coats depends on the desired effect.
Traditional Venetian plasters work best over porous surfaces which provide some suction to aid adhesion. If the suction is excessive, we supply a natural casein-based primer which can be applied first. We supply special primers such as Baumit DG27 for use on impervious materials, which primes and gives a sandpaper-like finish for extra key.
These natural plasters are breathable. We supply a wide range of natural soaps and waxes to give a highly polished finish and to improve dirt and water repellency. We also supply special metallic and pearlescent pigments for special effects.
For showers, wet rooms and floors, we recommend Tadelakt, a Moroccan style polished plaster.
• One day practical course on using Venetian plaster
How to Apply Venetian Plaster
Health & Safety – Venetian plasters are highly alkaline, use suitable gloves and eye protection.
Priming: If the surface has excessive suction, prime with Kreidezeit Casein Primer. For impervious materials, use Baumit DG27.
Base Coat: If no priming is required, apply a base coat of Kreidezeit Lime Wall Finish (smooth) at 1 mm thick with a Pavan 846/I stainless steel laying on trowel. This coat can be coloured for different veining and marbling effects. Trowel flat, leaving the texture you want to show through the subsequent coats of Venetian plaster. Leave to dry and harden for at least 3-4 hours.
Venetian Plaster: Apply a thin coat of Venetian Plaster, using either a Pavan 825, a Pavan 816/PIT or a Kreidezeit Japanese 0.3 mm trowel.
Work on a small area at a time, about 0.5 m x 0.5 m maximum. Use the edge of the trowel or spatula at a slightly greater angle to the wall, apply in short cross-cross strokes, keeping the edge wet. The plaster surface should be kept as flat as possible. Continue across the wall until you have completed the first coat. To achieve different effects in the final finish, this coat can be partially applied.
It is possible to finish with a single coat of Venetian Plaster, but for decorative and marble finishes it is often necessary to apply at least one additional coat.
Optional Additional Venetian Plaster: Apply an additional coat within 1-2 hours. Work in the same way as for the first coat, but hold the trowel or spatula at a slightly greater angle to the wall, so that the edge can be used to fill in any defects or hollows in the first coat. Apply with a Pavan 825, a Pavan 816/PIT or a Kreidezeit Japanese 0.3 mm trowel.
One, two or three coats of Venetian plaster will give sufficient thickness to achieve the three dimensional marbled effect. When you start the final coat, its advisable to start the burnishing process within 30 – 60 minutes of application. Test a small area to see if its ready. If you burnish too soon, the suction of the trowel or spatula can lift off the final coat of plaster leaving small indents. If you burnish too late it will take a lot more effort to get a shine.
Burnishing & Soaping:
1. Lightly flatten the surface with the edge of the trowel, but do not overwork the surface. If you need to flatten the plaster further, leave the plaster to dry and spray with diluted Polishing Soap. Trowel lightly again using Pavan 824 trowel or Kreidezeit Japanese trowel 0.2 mm.
2. As the plaster dries, add Polishing Soap and burnish the plaster with the edge or flat of the trowel or spatula using short, circular strokes. The smaller the tool, the more pressure can be applied to the surface. The more even your plaster, the more consistent the shine you can achieve.
You can also use special pigments to create special effects by mixing a little in with the polishing soap. Pigments include gold, silver,bronze, copper and pearlescent lilac.
Waxing: Allow a day after burnishing for the Venetian plaster to cure and harden before applying a natural wax for extra protection:
- Kreidezeit Punic Wax – this is a beeswax paste that may be applied by trowel. It can be buffed with a lamb’s wool bonnet to an intense shine.
- Kreidezeit Carnuba Wax – A hard, cost effective liquid wax for extra shine which should be applied in thin coats and buffed with a lamb’s wool bonnet immediately.
Venetian Plaster Professional Pack
The Venetian Plaster Professional Pack combines all the tools and sample materials required to begin this plastering technique.