Apply, burnish, seal, that's all it takes
Venetian plaster is having a moment. A decorative wall coating that dates back to 15th Century Italy, Venetian plaster combines lime plaster with pigments and ground marble. It's usually polished with wax to give it a sheen and to seal it. If you want to enhance a room or wall in your home, here's how to apply Venetian plaster.
Before you apply Venetian plaster to a wall or walls, you must prep the surface. The wall needs to be clean, free of holes and other damage, and primed.
Fill in any holes with spackle, then sand smooth when dry. Apply a coat of primer to the walls, then sand it when dry to create a slightly textured surface. The texture will give the plaster something to grip and help it stick to the wall better.
Practice makes perfect—applying Venetian plaster isn't the same as painting, as the strokes are different. You may want to practice on a few scrap pieces of drywall before you tackle an entire wall.
Apply at least two coats of plaster to the wall. The first coat is the base coat. It lays the foundation for the Venetian plaster and helps ensure a smooth finish.
Open the can of Venetian plaster and give it a stir with a mixing rod. Spread a drop cloth over the floor of your work area, then put on your gloves and safety goggles. Use your putty knife to scoop up some of the plaster, then apply the plaster to the trowel.
The side of the wall you start at depends on whether you're left- or right-handed. If you're right-handed, start on the left side of the wall and work your way to the right. If you're left-handed, start on the right side of the wall and work your way to the left. Starting on the opposite side of the wall means you'll go over the plaster as little as possible as you work.
Hold the trowel at a 15- to 30-degree angle as you apply the plaster. Use circular motions to create texture on the wall. The smaller your trowel strokes, the more textured the wall will be. Use larger strokes if you want a smoother surface.
Don't worry about making the first coat perfect—some gaps in the plaster is ok and may be preferable. Also, don't overwork the plaster at this stage. You don't want to polish it to a shiny finish on the first coat.
Clean the trowel as you work, removing excess plaster from it.
Once the base coat is applied, allow it to dry for about six hours. As it dries, the plaster will become lighter. If there are any large lumps or bumps after it's dried, you can gently knock those off with a putty knife or smooth them down with sandpaper.
Next, apply the second coat of plaster. Put the plaster on the trowel, and holding it at a 60-degree angle, apply the plaster to the wall. Start on the opposite side of the wall from where you began the base coat (right side if you're right-handed, left side if you're left-handed).
This time, use large strokes to apply the plaster. You want plenty of overlap. Smooth the surface as you work.
Burnishing the plaster gives it a shine and removes any irregularities or rough patches. Start the burnishing process before the second coat has fully dried. You can either burnish as you go, apply plaster to a small section of the wall, then burnish it, or wait until the entire wall is coated with a second coat, then burnish.
Use a clean trowel or very fine grit (at least 400-grit) sandpaper to burnish. Start on the same wall side as you began the second coat. If you're using a trowel, hold it at an angle and use moderate pressure as you rub the surface. The friction from the trowel will remove any bumps.
If you're using sandpaper, use circular motions as you rub the paper across the plaster.
As you work, run your hands across the plaster to assess how smooth it is. If it feels rough, continue to burnish. Once the plaster is your desired smoothness, use a damp rag to wipe away any dust.
A wax top coat seals your Venetian plaster wall and protects it from moisture. A sealed wall is also much easier to clean. You can skip this last step, though, if you prefer, and if you're working on a wall in a room without a lot of humidity. In the kitchen or bathroom, a wax top coat is a must-have, though.
Let the plaster dry for about 48 hours. Pour the wax top coat onto a sponge, then use the sponge to apply the top coat to the wall. Use circular motions to put the wax on the wall, apply two or three thin layers.
If you want to expand your DIY-skills beyond basic painting, learning how to apply Venetian plaster can be a good place to start. When you go the DIY-route, the cost of Venetian plaster is a lot lower, since you only need to invest in supplies and tools, rather than labor.
But there are cases when hiring a local plaster repair contractor makes sense. If your walls have a significant amount of damage or you're not quite confident in your DIY-ability, a local plaster professional can take on the job for you and may even give you some tips and pointers.
Venetian plaster is available in pre-tinted options, which have pigments mixed in already. You can also choose to add pigment to Venetian plaster, either when you purchase it or at home before you start your project. Adding pigment to the plaster opens the door to more color options. You may find it's easier to have your local home improvement store add the pigment to the plaster, especially if you're after a particular hue.
Venetian plaster walls tend to be beautiful and attractive. While applying Venetian plaster to the walls of your home won't have the same impact on its value as renovating the kitchen or remodeling the bathroom, the plaster can make your home more appealing to potential buyers, leading to higher offers and more competition when it's time to sell.
Venetian plaster is easy to clean and maintain, particularly if you seal it with a wax top coat. To freshen up the wall or remove marks and stains, simply use mild soap and a damp rag.
If the wall becomes cracked or otherwise damaged, you can patch up the damaged area with a fresh layer of Venetian plaster.
