Venetian plaster originated in ancient Rome and has been used throughout the centuries. Just within the last few years I have incorporated it into my portfolio of faux finishes. Having been in this business for approximately 15 years, I have found this technique to be the most challenging; both in its technical aspects of application, and the overwhelming physical toll it takes on my body. Every time I complete another Venetian plaster project, I end up with "tennis elbow".
To begin a Venetian plaster treatment it is important to have the wall carefully prepped. This often requires a skim coat of drywall compound, sanding, and often repeated sanding before the wall is smooth enough and without defects. Failing to start with a smooth wall will sabotage the final look of the treatment. Theory wise, it's like the "Princess and the Pea"....any blemish before you start applying the Venetian Plaster, will be magnified with each consecutive application.
When the wall is ready you must then apply a coat of flat paint to the surface, and let it dry for 24 hours. If you had to apply drywall compound first, you will then have to prime the wall. Instead of both priming and then painting, I simply have the primer tinted to the color that I will have the Venetian Plaster tinted.
It is of utmost importance to have the right tools for this job. You will need a set of stainless steel "Japan scrapers". These are sold wherever you find faux finishing tools. You must also have a stainless steel trowel with rounded corners. Using a regular trowel will just end up scratching your wall. They cost a bit more, but are well worth the investment.
Starting in an upper corner of your wall, apply only a very small amount of the plaster to the end of your Japan scraper. Working in a criss cross motion, you first apply the plaster with one stroke, then cross that stroke, spreading the plaster till it's perfectly smooth. You then continue in this motion across the entire wall. You do not want to leave any thick lines of plaster, and you must work fast, as the plaster dries quickly because you are applying it so thin.
Once you have the wall completed, you need to sand it with a 1000 grit sandpaper....(I use 1600 grit, because that's all I can find). After sanding the wall, you will apply another coat of the Venetian plaster in the same way, sanding after...then repeat the process one more time...(making 3 total passes over your wall with the plaster).
As soon as you have lightly sanded your final coat, you will need to use your trowel to burnish the wall. This is accomplished by pressing into the wall with your trowel in circular motions, as hard as you can. (Hence, the tennis elbow).
As you perform this task, you will see the multiple layers of your plaster shine through. When you have completed the burnishing, you will then apply a coat of sealer to protect your finish. The sealer is applied with the same scraper that you applied the Venetian plaster with in the same manner.
Once the wall is sealed it needs to be burnished one more time. If done correctly, you will then be able to stand back and see your reflection in the beautiful wall you have created.
Guest Author, Bonita Gillespie, owner/operator of Bonita’s WallWorks is based in Wisconsin and can be reached at ilv2pt@new.rr.com
