Do-it-yourself Venetian plaster, marble application technique. Venetian plaster application technology: video and instructions

The use of Venetian plaster in interior decoration premises allows you to create original interior design. It has a number of advantages that distinguish it from other finishing materials. Venetian plaster does not crack, does not peel off, does not change color. The appearance of the finished coating resembles natural marble. The composition can be used where conventional plasters are not suitable. In this article we will take a detailed look at the composition, application and various technologies applying Venetian plaster with your own hands, and at the end awaits you step-by-step instruction from our reader

Tools for applying Venetian plaster

To apply the composition you will need plaster trowels and spatulas. They can be used for applying wax to the surface of plaster, as well as for sanding intermediate layers. Spatulas must be taken in different sizes. The base layer is applied using a large spatula, and the pattern is created with a small or medium spatula. You will also need suede mittens, which will subsequently be used to polish the finished surface. Depending on the scale of the work, an appropriate amount of plaster and color will be needed. The color scheme can be of any color.

Composition of Venetian plaster

Venetian plaster consists of the finest suspensions natural materials such as marble, gypsum and lime. As binder Acrylic and slaked lime are used. It is impossible to say which option is better. A beginner in finishing is unlikely to be able to distinguish one material from another. As for the professionals: some say that only slaked lime allows you to get “the same” result, others insist that acrylic components give the mass better plasticity, which generally affects the improvement of the manufacturability of finishing.

In addition to standard components, the mixture may include tiny pearlescent particles. Their presence allows you to do finished surface similar to silk. For this reason, the combination “wet silk” is added to such Venetian plasters. From different points in the room, the same coating will look different. A little video on this topic.

The appearance of the finished wall depends on the application technique. Using a special spatula movement technique, finishers achieve the appearance interesting patterns, repeating the texture of natural stones. The surface may have a pearlescent tint, which is achieved by adding special impurities to the plaster.

Features of the most affordable plaster OPTIMIST ELITE

Considering the comparatively low cost, let us dwell on the properties of Venetian plaster Optimist. We will try to avoid advertising this material by briefly describing the characteristics indicated by the manufacturer itself. Products are sold in plastic buckets of 3.5, 7 or 15 kg. Optimal conditions use implies an air temperature in the workroom in the range from 5 to 35 degrees Celsius. Used for application standard set tools: steel trowel, a pair of spatulas, a polishing machine with a soft nozzle. Drying the layer standard thickness- about a day.

Estimated cost:
- 3.5 kg - 750 rub.
- 7 kg - 1350 rub.
- 15 kg - 2750 rub.

• at the first stage, a thin layer of plaster is applied to the surface, trying to create some kind of pattern at this stage. The layer is allowed to dry for about an hour;
• to get rid of small blemishes, the dried surface is lightly sanded with a large spatula - smoothed to level it;
• apply the second layer using the same method as the first;
• last layer decorative plaster applied with a spatula, because the coating should be translucent and thin - to give it greater depth. The work is postponed for half an hour to allow the material to dry, after which the wall is smoothed with a spatula. For dry rooms the work is finished;
• if you plan to use Optimist plaster for the walls of a wet room (toilet, bathroom, kitchen), then the final stage of work will be treating the surface with wax and subsequent polishing until glossy.

In the video below you can more clearly familiarize yourself with the methodology for using this material.

Application technology

The application technology is complex. If you have any questions, it is better to go to master classes, which are often held in company stores that sell decorative plaster.

First of all, you need to pay attention to a large spatula, the edges of which should be rounded, so that you can firmly press the plaster into the wall. The spatula should not have mechanical damage and defects. Before laying the plaster, the wall is coated with a special primer. The wall must be perfectly flat, otherwise the plaster simply will not stick. The first layer of plaster is carefully compacted and leveled, after which it must be allowed to dry. If, after drying, any unevenness remains on the surface of the plaster, they can be easily removed with a trowel.

Layer by layer

After 6-8 hours, the next layer of plaster is applied, on top of which the finishing layer is applied. The marble pattern, characteristic of Venetian plaster, is created by strokes with small spatulas. In this case, the color of the layer should be different from the previous one. Once the pattern is ready, it must be polished with a large spatula or trowel. Depending on the sanding technique used, the finished surface may become glossy or matte. You need to work with the material quickly, as the composition dries quickly and becomes less plastic. When mixing plaster and color, you should pay attention to the quantity ready solution– due to the tight installation, your hands quickly begin to ache, and the solution itself quickly hardens.

Wax protection

Wax is applied on top of the last layer of Venetian plaster. protective covering, giving gloss and water-repellent properties. You should not apply too much wax, as it may darken after drying and ruin the appearance. Once the wax has hardened, it can be further polished with a suede mitten. After 20-25 days, the carbonization processes in the plaster will end, it will become more durable, after which it can be washed.

Externally, the finished wall will look as if it were made of natural marble. The wax coating gives an additional similarity effect. You can decorate not only walls with Venetian plaster, but also various arches, as well as doorways. During the next renovation, you won’t have to tear off the plaster – you can paint it over, and you can also glue wallpaper.

Illustrative examples of finishing (video)

As they say, it is better to see once than to hear a hundred times. Therefore, we invite you to familiarize yourself with several interesting videos. The video below is an example of applying acrylic Venetian plaster.

And here you can get acquainted in detail with one of the author’s methods of applying Venetian. The material is long lasting, but the quantity valuable advice it's off the charts.

Another one interesting technique work. As a result, the surface is covered with decorative cracks. Read about antique plaster here.

A relatively simple method of applying the composition. In our opinion, it is more suitable for finishing a bathroom or toilet.

Do it yourself, or Extra motivation

Above we gave the estimated cost of material for finishing one “square” of wall. If you decide to experiment, then independent work It will only cost you your own time. In the worst case, it can also lead to nerves. But intending to pay to third party specialists, you need to be prepared to increase costs from 600 or more rubles per square meter. In Moscow and St. Petersburg it is more expensive, in the regions the appetites of finishers are more modest. But you still need to understand that professional master For his work alone he will charge from 1000 rubles. for every sq. m. finished with Venetian plaster. The cost will increase as your requests increase and the complexity of the work (wall height, quality and surface geometry). It won't work out cheap and beautiful.

This can be understood from the reviews

Those who dared independent finishing walls with Venetian plaster, they note the high labor intensity of the work. Therefore, you should not rush from one extreme to another - first try working in “test mode”: take a sheet of plywood or fiberboard with an area of ​​at least 1 square meter. m. and are trying to transform it. With this approach, you can try several techniques and choose the optimal one.

About tinting

If you decide to tint the mixture yourself, then carefully calculate the required volume of material - when mixing again, you won’t be able to guess the color. How much plaster is needed? It is better to find out about this yourself by making test smears on square meter test surface. You should not trust the data written on the packaging - the consumption of the material is determined by the technique of its application.

As for tinting, there is one more nuance. Do not rush to pour large volumes of coloring composition, do it gradually, ensuring uniform mixing of the mixture and subsequently adjusting the color saturation. This approach will take more time, but the chances of getting “what you need” are higher.

A few more nuances

It is best to work together, in conveyor mode: one applies the composition to the wall, the second applies the stain the required form. This is faster and more efficient, especially when you consider that finishing with Venetian plaster is even a purely physically complex process. Not to mention the creative side.

Be prepared for the fact that the final result will appear only in the final stages of work. This is exactly the case when you shouldn’t particularly plan the appearance of the surface. When applying the mixture, it is recommended to periodically move away from the wall and inspect the entire canvas as a whole to understand where to move next.

Well, as for reviews about specific types of plaster, in 90% of cases they are of an advertising nature. Therefore, their informativeness has been questioned.

Update: personal experience

As part of our proposal, one of our readers sent a photo report on applying Venetian plaster. We look and admire

In order to decorate the walls with Venetian plaster, you will need:

1. Venetian plaster and contrasting colors. You can choose the color tone to your liking; it will only be visible in places and will not become the main color. In our example, this is the color “apple green”.
2. Water-based paint and color suitable for tinting it. In our example, this is a blue concentrate, when added we got the desired blue tint.
3. Acrylic varnish for the final coating of walls, it will help add shine and make the walls resistant to dirt. In addition, this coating will be easy for you to wash and clean.
4. Putty and primer for preparing walls for plastering.
5. Auxiliary tools – spatulas, special structural roller, grout mesh, etc.

The first stage is preparing the walls. They are puttied in advance until smooth, then treated with a primer. The plaster must be tinted to the desired level color shade. When tinting, keep in mind that after drying the surface becomes a little lighter (like many mixtures), so the tone should be brighter.

Let's start applying. First, take a little mixture onto the edge of the spatula, trying to evenly distribute the composition along the edge of the tool.

Applying plaster thin layer(approximately 3 mm) and distribute evenly over the surface. It should be applied from the bottom up: with this method, the plaster does not spread over the wall and does not drip onto the floor.

After application to the walls, the layer of plaster is leveled with a spatula in all directions. You should not cover areas larger than 1.5-2 square meters at one time.

When applying plaster, carefully walk around sockets and switches.

After applying the Venetian to a small area (1-2 sq.m.), without waiting for it to dry, you need to give the coating a texture, for which a special structural roller is used. You need to roll the roller with equal pressure to ensure an even texture.

First, carefully treat the edge of the wall - the surface from the corner or doorway. Try to roll the roller along the wall from bottom to top only once, then the texture will be large and interesting.

When the first part of the wall is processed, you can proceed to the next section. The peculiarity of a texture roller is that the more often you pass it over one area, the smaller the texture fragments on the surface are, so you should not overlap a new area with an already finished one. The small gap that sometimes forms between the sectors can be easily rolled up with a roller and turned into a homogeneous structure.

Gradually cover the entire surface of the walls and let it dry. The drying time depends on the temperature and humidity. In a room with average humidity and a temperature of 20 ° C, the plaster will dry completely in 15-20 hours.

The next stage is coating water-based paint. When choosing a color for the second layer, you can choose contrasting colors (as in this example) or choose adjacent tones of plaster and paint. To select a color, a color wheel can help you: it is believed that harmonious combinations are adjacent colors in a circle, or vice versa, opposite ones.

To obtain blue color white paint you need to add a little blue color and mix well until smooth.

Using a soft roller, paint all walls with a coat of water-based paint.

The surface of the walls should be painted in one layer, but the paint should be applied in a dense layer. To do this, moisten the roller generously with paint so that the coating thickness is sufficient.

The order of paint application can be any, i.e. You can paint the bottom of all the walls first, and then start painting at the top.

Architecture is often called poetry frozen in stone. If we follow a similar allegory, then, for sure, Venetian plaster can be a romantic ballad of design; the technology of its application remains unchanged for more than 2000 years, and its unusual beauty still excites the imagination. How to apply Venetian plaster?

The technology for applying Venetian plaster has remained unchanged for 2000 years.

Thanks to this type finishing works is very much in demand, the application of Venetian plaster on the construction services market is often offered by craftsmen who are very superficially familiar with the technology of such work. In addition, the market offers many coatings that only imitate the famous Venetian.

How to choose real Venetian plaster

Application of plaster coatings: 1 – prepared base; 2, 3 – reinforcement of corners; 4 – reinforcement at openings; 5 – applying the base layer; 6 – laying of reinforcing fiberglass mesh; 7 – application of primer soya; 8 – application of decorative plaster. Application of plaster coatings: 1 – prepared base; 2, 3 – reinforcement of corners; 4 – reinforcement at openings; 5 – applying the base layer; 6 – laying of reinforcing fiberglass mesh; 7 – application of primer soya; 8 – application of decorative plaster.

Classic Venetian plaster is carried out with a putty mass; it necessarily includes marble dust, which is replaced in some cases by quartz, onyx or granite. The second constant component of the coating is slaked lime, thanks to which the Venetian plaster finish is very strong and durable. In addition to these components, various colorants and pigments are usually used to add color, which help the finished surface to resist the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation and oxygen. Often, modern mixtures for Venetian plaster have a certain percentage of acrylic binder. According to experts, Venetian putty compounds based on acrylic dispersion are much more plastic and are not subject to the formation of microcracks on the surface. But no one will argue that such material is less environmentally friendly than water-based Venetian plaster.

Nowadays, finishing specialists do not need to make their own composition of the mixture; it is sold in plastic buckets ready. Moreover, each manufacturer has original recipes, which allow you to get different visual effects(matte, velvety, gloss). Often, there is no need to add color to the mixture, although certain manufacturers supply dyes separately so that the master can individually select the required shade.

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Required Tools

If you have some artistic talent and feel like giving it a try own strength In this type of creativity, be sure to prepare special plastering tools:

Application of Venetian plaster requires ideal surface walls

• steel graters (necessary for grinding and leveling the solution) 25 and 20 cm wide;
• specially shaped spatulas. Their feature is rounded edges and a very smooth, literally polished surface without scratches or nicks. You also need two spatulas, wide and narrow;
• brushes of two shapes: a paint brush-maklovitsa and a flat classic flute brush. The first has an oval, rectangular or round shape, somewhat similar to a brush. It is necessary to choose a brush with thick bristles.

A level, tape measure and a long metal ruler will also come in handy. Stock up on a sanding grater with fine-grained sandpaper.

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Basics: preparatory work

The method of applying Venetian plaster involves very scrupulous and thorough work in preparing the surface. Only in this case will Venetian plaster be able to delight not only with its beauty, but also with its main operational advantages - practicality and durability.

If certain types decorative plaster is not very demanding on the base and even allows you to hide small construction flaws - chips, uneven walls and cracks. Alas, Venetian plaster, like a real aristocrat among finishing plasters, will not tolerate such neglect of the preparatory work. Although the basis for it can be both concrete and brickwork, and drywall and even walls that were once covered oil paint, but all this must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust, peeling plaster and paint residues. Carefully repair chips, cracks and cracks. For plasterboard sheets, all joints must be processed flush. After this, the areas to be sealed are sanded.

Using Venetian plaster you can achieve the effect of a marble wall or decorative stone.

After the walls can already boast of the absence of noticeable defects, the first continuous filling is carried out. When the putty layer has dried, the surface is sanded with pumice or sandpaper. Now you can blow off the walls with compressed air or walk over them with a dry rag to remove particles. After that better surface primed; in this form it will more easily lend itself to a continuous second puttying. Yes, a full filler and sanding will be required again to correct all the scratches and roughness. And again the primer. And when poor condition walls, this tedious procedure sometimes has to be done three times before applying Venetian plaster. The finishing putty must be of high quality, and the final sanding is done with “zero” sandpaper, followed by careful removal of dust with a dry cloth.

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Preparatory work will take a lot of time

In addition to being painstaking and labor-intensive, preparatory work quite long in time, since after applying each layer you need to give it time to dry. Each layer generally takes approximately one day to dry. If the temperature in the building is low or the air humidity is significant, it may take longer. In the end, the walls should be even and smooth. Now remains in last time coat them several times with primer deep penetration. Its type must match the putty material; they are usually sold as a set. After priming the wall, you need to wait until it dries completely. Finally, now is the time for real creativity.

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Which color should I choose?

Before starting work, glue masking tape the tops of the walls. To preserve Venetian plaster, this tape will have to be removed immediately after completion of the work, without waiting for the material to completely dry. Otherwise, when it is removed, very unaesthetic chips and cracks may form. If the putty mixture for Venetian plaster is not tinted, it is necessary to add required amount dye. When choosing a shade, you must take into account that the finished Venetian most often turns out to be somewhat darker and brighter in a confined space than in the catalog of a construction showroom or on a small test piece of material. It is better to refuse to use very flashy colors for residential premises, and limit yourself to pastel shades. Plaster mass and colorators must be purchased from the same brand, since otherwise they may be incompatible in their own properties.

You can give a room originality and a unique interior not only with the help of objects. Suitable for changing the appearance of a roomVenetian plaster, which today will become the object of our research. We will dive into the history of its creation, find out its features, decide on the application technology and find out what tools will be needed in the work..

If the wall we are looking at resembles a marble surface where there are no seams, we can say that it is finished with Venetian plaster. The material in question was invented in Ancient Rome. Our ancestors mixed slaked lime with marble dust, resulting in an elastic composition. Applied to the wall, it looked like natural marble. To enhance the effect, various natural dyes were added to the mixture.

The most popular material was ordinary clay. Its use gave the finish a similarity to natural marble. To make the Venetian marbled plaster finish durable, a layer of wax was applied to it and polished.

During the Renaissance in Venice, Venetian plaster was used instead of marble slabs. It was applied to walls, columns and ceilings. The material responded poorly to fluctuations in t0 and humidity, was easy to process and affordable.

Nowadays, this type of finishing has not lost its relevance. The components discussed above are also used today to prepare the mixture. Modern technologies allow the introduction of other binders into its composition to give the decorative plaster a light or rich color.

Features of Venetian plaster

The features of the “Venetian” include its components and the unusualness of the resulting pattern, which you can read about below. A material that is often encountered and considered a classic can be called a material with a marbled texture - marble Venetian plaster.

Although, this can often be finished in silver, gold or mother-of-pearl.

Types of Venetian plaster:

1. “Veneto” is a classic that never loses its relevance. It imitates polished marble. Plaster is popular because of its appearance and a relatively low price.
2. “Trevignano” is distinguished by the fact that the finished surface has the effect of shining from the inside. This material has many colors and different shades.
3. “Ensausto” externally resembles granite in its structure. It is distinguished by a semi-matte color.

The composition of Venetian plaster intended for interior works– this is a waste of processed marble, malachite, granite, quartz. The substance of the working mixture is particles of material of different sizes. The smaller they are, the smoother the resulting surface will be.

To work with Venetian plaster you need to prepare:

1. A primer that must contain quartz filler. This is for preparatory work.
2. Water.
3. Plaster mixture.
4. Different colors to give certain shades.
5. Sandpaper for grouting and sanding with a fine fraction.
6. Wax, in paste or liquid form, to protect marble Venetian plaster and bring the work surface to a glossy finish.
7. For the primer you will need a spatula and a roller.
8. You will need a trowel to distribute the mixture.
9. Rubber spatula for working with wax.

And also, a rag for wiping working tools and containers for mixtures and water.

Venetian plaster: application technology

Having purchased necessary materials and having prepared the working tool, you will not be able to plaster the walls without preparing them. This stage is the most important, on which the final result of your work depends in the future. Preparing walls for Venetian plaster includes thorough cleaning of old coatings, dust and dirt. Irregularities in the walls are revealed. If there are cracks, they must be removed using sand-cement mortar. Then the working surface is degreased and impregnated with a deep penetration primer in order to increase the adhesion of the coating and prevent the development of fungi.

Note!

How to apply Venetian plaster: a step-by-step process

In the retail chain, plaster is offered in buckets and has a paste-like consistency.

Considered basic White color, to which various dyes are added. You can create a color scheme directly in the store or with your own hands at home. The tool you will need is a drill with an attachment. The mixing process may take 5 to 10 minutes. It is important to do the job carefully Special attention point at the sides of the bucket, where there may be unmixed components. It’s easy to check: take a block and run it along the walls. The procedure should be performed several times. The full stage of creating a color scheme can take from 10 to 20 minutes. Now you can start painting.

Advice!

It is possible that the color will change slightly after drying. It’s easy to check: apply a test smear and let it dry. After this you can add dye.

Important!

When the composition is ready, it is impossible to repeat it exactly - there will be differences. Therefore, there is no point in saving. It is better to prepare the mixture with a reserve.

How to apply layers correctly

Methods of applying Venetian plaster involve the use of two or more layers.

It is important to imagine what you want to get in the end. Layers are applied in different ways. But each one must be leveled and polished. Do not forget that before laying the next layer you must allow the previous one to dry. And only after laying the last layer can you begin processing beeswax. You can use wax made on a synthetic base.

• beeswax gives gloss;
• synthetics - matte.

Wax is not only gloss, but also protection from moisture. Therefore, Venetian plaster can be applied to the walls in the bathroom. At the same time, one nuance should be taken into account: synthetic wax is used for the bathroom.

The rules for laying the first layer correspond to the application requirements ordinary plaster. The main thing is that it works out smooth surface. The process involves the use of a working tool - a trowel, on which a small amount of the composition is taken and rubbed on the wall.

Second and subsequent layers

The second and subsequent layers should be applied in chaotic strokes. A flexible, thin metal spatula is used. It is not necessary to maintain uniform application. It is from chaotic movements that shapes and lines appear on the wall, like on marble. The drying process of each layer takes from one to ten hours. It all depends on the thickness of the layer, the composition of the product, humidity and temperature. Drying details and recommendations should be on the packaging. When the surface is dry, it is rubbed with a trowel. In the process, differences are smoothed out.

Then the next layer is applied to the finished surface using the previously described technology, which is based on random movements. Wait for it to dry again and smooth it with a dry trowel. Depth and brightness largely depend on the number of layers.

Finish stage

The final layer should be applied with a thin metal spatula. The layer should be almost transparent. A small amount of the mixture is taken and applied to the surface, pressing the spatula tightly. Then the drying process is already familiar to us, which will take 20-50 minutes.

Ironing process

It is important not to overdry the last layer. It should be slightly damp. We begin ironing by processing small sections of the wall (half a m2). We applied the mixture and rubbed it in, performing circular movements with a trowel on which there should be no chips or cracks. You will see for yourself how the pattern and characteristic shine will appear. Gradually, the “Venetian” will acquire depth and layering like marble.

Working with wax

It is better to carry out this process after the Venetian plaster has dried. This may take from 12 to 24 hours. The wax is applied with a wide spatula in a thin layer.

Beeswax Polishing

When the wax dries, which takes 30-50 minutes, we begin to polish the work surface. We use a grinder or drill with a short, soft pile attachment. To ensure that the wax does not wear off, but gradually penetrates the plaster, it is necessary to set the working tool to 3 thousand revolutions per minute.

The process is similar to working with natural product. Synthetics are used if you need to get a matte shade with protection. The synthetic product dries from 10 to 14 days, and only after this time can it be wiped, washed, and so on.

Basic rules when working with Venetian plaster

What is needed to apply Venetian plaster? It's simple, you need to follow a number of rules. First of all, you need to work slowly, carefully processing each area. Remember that the minimum number of coats applied is three.

The more layers are applied, the more impressive the work will look at the final stage. Eg, best samples made using this technique, there are 8 layers!

On final stage Be sure to wax the surface. This will add shine and protect the work for a long time.

Photos of the best options for Venetian plaster in the interior

Samples of examples of Venetian plaster have been prepared especially for you. Look and choose. Maybe some combination will interest you.

8 layers were used in this work

You can create any design using dyes

Venetian plaster looks equally good on any surface

About the pros and cons

TO undeniable advantages"Venetians" can be classified as:

1. Waterproof qualities of plaster after waxing.
2. Lack of toxicity and complete safety for people, including children.
3. In all respects it meets the requirements of fire safety characteristics.
4. Venetian plaster is easy to care for.
5. Operational period from 5 to 10 years.

There are few disadvantages, but they are:

1. High price.
2. Long preparatory part.
3. Labor-intensive technology.

Finally

You can do the work yourself. But, given the complexity and high cost of the process, it is recommended to contact specialists.

On clear example It will be easier for you to understand the technology of applying Venetian plaster and then do the work yourself. Good luck!

If you are determined to master the technique of decorating walls with Venetian plaster, this article will be very useful. In it we will talk about the basic techniques for working with Venetian and help you choose the right colors for the finishing material to create an original artistic composition.

What is special about working with a Venetian woman?

Venetian plaster imitates a polished cut of solid marble. Thanks to the translucent effect, you can achieve almost complete identity with natural marble: a glossy surface, translucent layers and veins of different shades.

There are two main directions in working with such finishing: artistic and imitation. For each, there is a special working technique, which allows, in the first case, to create a highly detailed drawing with a wide variety of shades and uneven gradients. The second type of application creates a picture that is much less colorful, but perfectly imitates a glossy surface and the translucency of veins and layers different color, just like in natural marble.

Selection of the color scheme of the composition

For artistic techniques, it is recommended to have one pure composition without dye and one with medium tinting. Please note that some areas of the coating will not be mixed at all; match the contrast of the selected color relative to white in accordance with the interior style.

The imitation technique uses more muted patterns; to create the main pattern, you will need two compositions with approximately the same color, one 3-4 tones darker than the other. If you want to add dark veins and inclusions to the marble cut, purchase a third composition with a much brighter and darker color.

You can tint the Venetian yourself by adjusting the level of mixing and the presence of stripes of different tones in the composition. Mixing plaster with color in a vibrating apparatus will result in absolute dissolution of the paint, in this case the range of shades will be less rich, and the pattern itself will be more washed out and uniform. Please note that when drying, the plaster loses 3-4 tones in brightness.

Surface preparation

Venetian plaster is applied only to a specially prepared surface. Plastered walls are reinforced with mesh under a layer of starting plaster. If we are talking about gypsum plasterboard surfaces, the joints are cut at 30° and two layers of serpyanka are applied.

The surface must be treated with a deeply penetrating primer until completely saturated. Next comes coating with a special primer for the Venetian or painting the wall with water-dispersion paint, white or painted to match the future coating.

Applying the base

Venetian plaster is one of those materials that need to be felt. Before you start finishing the walls, practice several times on pieces of drywall, get used to how the material behaves with different movements of the tool.

The Venetian is applied with a trapezoidal trowel and spatulas; the tool must have rounded corners. The first layer is applied with a thickness of 0.2-0.5 mm to create solid foundation. Place a small amount of the compound on the trowel and distribute it evenly. Place the tool flat against the wall and make several rubbing movements.

The color of the base should be uniform, but you will immediately notice that you are creating the contours of the future design. Large strokes can take the form of spots, smooth or rounded strokes, or chaotic strokes. In the future, adhere to the resulting contours and repeat them on a reduced or enlarged scale for the most harmonious combination of shapes. After applying the base coat, you need to wait 36-40 hours for complete drying.

Choose the color for the base that will prevail in the finished drawing. The consumption of plaster for the first layer is approximately 30-50% more than for subsequent ones. Please take this into account when purchasing material.

Techniques for applying a texture-forming layer

It is important to understand the ability of plaster to mix colors. In the liquid state this happens relatively easily, but if the coating has already been applied in a thin layer, the polymerization process begins instantly. The color can be completely covered only after applying 3-4 new layers. It turns out that mixing occurs only when the spatula moves; any applied pattern will most likely remain unchanged.

If you take two contrasting compositions on a spatula or trowel and smear them on the wall, you will first get a large and contrasting pattern. The longer you hold the tool, the more the border blurs and the colors blend.

If you pre-mix the compositions on a trowel with a wooden stick, the pattern will be smaller and more detailed. You can also add a single color in dots, stripes or zigzag patterns, either way the final look will be noticeably different.

The texture is applied in the thinnest possible layers, which creates a translucent effect. IN artistic technique Thin, short strokes are used. Take two compositions on the trowel different colors, mix them in different ratios and apply the plaster with a 30 or 40 mm wide spatula.

The imitation technique involves the use of wide and long strokes; only one color or shade is used in each layer. You need to apply the plaster with the wide part of the trowel, stretching the composition as wide as possible. With each subsequent layer, areas of increased saturation and overlapping colors will appear.

The optimal result can be achieved by applying two layers with the artistic technique and 4-5 with the imitation technique. It is recommended to let each layer dry for a day, but if you work carefully, the drying period can be reduced to 6-8 hours.

Matting of the coating

If the pattern is too contrasting or you need to add some matte to the coating, use white plaster, applied in as thin a layer as possible. The angle of the spatula relative to the surface must be at least 45°. Each movement is firm and with effort, rub a small amount of the composition as finely as possible.

Often, for matting, white plaster is used with a dark color added, but not completely mixed. This technique enlivens the composition a little, and it does not look downright dull.

Glazing and metallization

In addition to color texturing, there is another way of texturing. It consists in highlighting the relief of the coating with small differences in height. After drying, the surface is rubbed with a metal spatula applied to the surface at an angle of 25-30°. Direct each movement towards yourself, do not put too much pressure on the instrument. This technique will create areas with different glossiness. It is useful to do this both upon completion of application and after each applied layer.

If you apply the spatula at a sharper angle, almost flush, the surface can be rubbed. This is done to give the thin edges of the strokes a darker outline. This method is great for adding extra texturing to each layer.

When the wall covering is ready, it can be protected from moisture with special wax, which is rubbed in with lint-free wipes. Finally, it is advisable to polish the wax layer with a fur wheel for a drill or angle grinder.

Architecture is often called poetry frozen in stone. If you follow such an allegory, then, probably, Venetian plaster can become the romantic ballad of your design; the technology of its application has remained unchanged for 2000 years, and its extraordinary beauty still excites our imagination.

Due to the fact that this type of finishing work is in high demand, in the construction services market, the application of Venetian plaster is often offered by craftsmen who are very superficially familiar with the technology similar works. At the same time, trade offers a lot of coverings that only imitate the famous Venetian.

Let's immediately make a reservation that classic Venetian plaster is performed with a putty mass, which necessarily includes marble dust, which in some cases is replaced by quartz, granite or onyx. The second constant component of the coating is slaked lime, making the Venetian plaster finish extremely strong and durable. In addition to these components, to give color, various pigments and colorants are usually used, which help the finished surface to resist negative impacts air oxygen and ultraviolet radiation.

Modern Venetian plaster mixtures often contain some percentage of acrylic binder. According to experts, Venetian putties based on acrylic dispersion are more plastic and are not susceptible to the formation of microcracks on the surface. However, no one will argue that such a material is less environmentally friendly than water-based plaster.

Nowadays, finishing specialists do not need to assemble the mixture themselves; it is sold ready-made, in plastic buckets. Moreover, each manufacturing company has original recipes that make it possible to obtain various visual effects (velvety, matte, glossy). Often, there is no need to add color to the mixture, although some manufacturers supply dyes separately so that the master can individually select the desired shade.

Required Tools

If you have some artistic talent and, after watching the video of applying Venetian plaster, feel the desire to try your hand at this type of creativity, do not forget to prepare special plastering tools:

• steel graters (which are necessary for leveling and rubbing the mortar) with a width of 20 and 25 cm;
• specially shaped spatulas. Their feature is rounded edges and a very smooth, literally polished surface without nicks or scratches. You will also need two spatulas, for wide and narrow ones;
• brushes of two forms: a classic flat flute brush and a paint brush. The latter has a rectangular, oval or round shape, somewhat similar to a brush. You should choose a brush with thick bristles.

You will also need a tape measure, a level and a long metal ruler. Don't forget to stock up on a sanding float with fine sandpaper.

Preparatory work is the basis!

The technique of applying Venetian plaster involves very careful and scrupulous work on preparing the surface. Only in this case will the Venetian be able to delight you not only with its beauty, but also with its main operational advantages - durability and practicality.

If some types of decorative plaster are not demanding on the base and even allow you to hide minor construction flaws - uneven walls, small chips and cracks. Alas, the Venetian, like a true aristocrat among finishing plasters, will not tolerate such a disdainful attitude towards the preparatory work. Although the basis for it can be brickwork, concrete, plasterboard and even walls that were once covered with oil paint. But all this must first be thoroughly cleaned of dust and dirt, flaking pieces of plaster and paint residues.

Carefully seal gaps, chips and cracks. U plasterboard sheets It is necessary to process all joints flush. After this, the sealed areas are sanded. Are you tired already? Be patient, this is just the beginning! After our walls can already boast of the absence of visible defects, the first continuous filling is performed. When the putty layer has dried, the surface is sanded with sandpaper or pumice. Now you can blow off the walls with compressed air or walk over them with a dry cloth to remove particles. After this, it is advisable to prime the surface, in this form it will more easily lend itself to a second continuous putty.

How, again? Yes, again complete puttying and sanding again to correct all the roughness and scratches. And again the primer. And if the walls are in poor condition, such a tedious procedure as continuous puttying, sometimes has to be carried out three times before applying Venetian plaster. The finishing putty must be of high quality, and the final sanding is carried out with “zero” sandpaper, followed by careful removal of dust with a dry cloth.

Preparatory work will take a lot of time

In addition to being labor-intensive and painstaking, the preparatory work takes quite a long time, because after applying each layer you need to give it time to dry. In general, each layer dries in approximately one day. If the room temperature is low or the air humidity is quite high, it may take longer.

Well, and finally, our walls are even and smooth. Now all that remains is to coat them a couple of times with a deep penetration primer for the last time. Its type must correspond to the putty material; they are usually sold as a set. After priming the wall, you need to wait until it dries completely. Well, now the time has finally come for real creativity.

Which color should I choose?

Before starting work, we glue the upper parts of the walls with masking tape. When working with Venetian, you will have to remove this tape immediately after finishing the work, without waiting for the material to dry completely. Otherwise, when it is removed, very unaesthetic cracks and chips may form.

If your Venetian putty is not tinted, add the required amount of dye while mixing thoroughly. When choosing a shade, you should take into account that most often the finished Venetian in a confined space turns out to be somewhat darker and brighter than on a small test piece of material or in a construction showroom catalog. For residential premises, it is better to avoid using too flashy tones, and limit yourself to more pastel shades. Colorators and plaster mass must be purchased from the same brand, since otherwise they may not be compatible in their properties.

Venetian plaster. Application technology

The wall needs to be finished in small areas, approximately 1 m2, starting from the top. The first layer of mass is the base one; it is applied completely and sets the tone for the entire future color of the wall. When working, use a trowel, onto which the mixture is applied with a spatula. If you carefully looked at the material, Venetian plaster application technology, video in this article, you noticed that the movements of the trowel applying the coating are short and rounded.

The general trajectory of movement when covering a wall is from left to right. Whether you apply the mass from top to bottom or from bottom to top does not matter, do what is most convenient for you. The material is applied in a thin layer and, without waiting for it to dry, is distributed Venetian spatula, multidirectional movements in an arc, avoiding sharp joints along straight lines. The spatula must be pressed tightly against the wall, maintaining an inclination angle of 15-20 to the surface. It is precisely these methods of applying Venetian plaster that will allow us to obtain those veins that, in the final version, will make our wall look like natural stone.

The first layer dries for at least 4-8 hours, depending on the brand of Venetian mass used. More often further work continue the next day.

The second layer is applied with short, jerky movements, and immediately rubbed with a spatula. The movements are performed in pairs, crosswise, overlapping one another. By moving in one direction you apply the material, and by moving in the opposite direction you remove excess. This technique of applying Venetian plaster is called “butterfly”. As a result, the relief of the base layer disappears, and veins appear on the surface. Their size depends on the method of applying the decorative layer. Experienced master decorators can perform work in different manners, creating different sizes of patterns.

After the applied decorative layer has completely dried, the surface is sanded with fine-grained sandpaper. To increase the visual effect of the depth of Venetian plaster and its famous internal glow, a larger number of intermediate layers are performed, the total number of which can reach up to nine.

Adding the final shine

After applying the last layer, to make Venetian plaster waterproof and increase shine, the surface is polished with wax. This work is carried out no earlier than a week after the final application of the finishing layer. Besides the usual transparent composition for a Venetian, you can give preference to a coating with additional decorative effect, and then your wall will be decorated with mother-of-pearl, gold or silver veins. Liquid wax is applied using a special lint glove, and then the wall is finally polished grinder with a special pile nozzle.

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