How to Apply Polished Plaster
Ensure the surface you're going to apply the decorative plaster is flat and smooth with no abrasions., Prime the wall to to give the plaster something to key to., Use a mirrored trowel (smaller the better for stucco) to apply the stucco., Give the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Ensure the surface you're going to apply the decorative plaster is flat and smooth with no abrasions.
If it's a gypsum plastered wall, then use a fine filler to repair any blemishes and sand where necessary.
This step is vital, as a stucco venetian plaster is very thin and any imperfections in the wall will show through. -
Step 2: Prime the wall to to give the plaster something to key to.
Leave the primer 8 hours to dry before applying the first coat. , Work in a random manner across the surface starting at one side/corner and then going across.
Try to keep the first coat as flat as you can, but it doesn't have to be perfect.
Ensure the whole area gets an even coating. , This is very quick; an area of one square metre should take 10 seconds. , Try for an even coating, but bear in mind now the patterns you put in with trowel will come through the last coat and give it some character. , Once covered and the plaster is immediately starting to dry, trowel over the surface to take off any high spots of plaster. ,,, Once the coat is on, give the surface a gentle troweling up to start creating a shine.
If you feel the trowel is gripping then leave a short while for the plaster to harden a bit. , The ideal time to do this depends on the surface and conditions, but usually within 1 hour of stuccoing.
As you work, look across the surface and you will begin to see shine points all over.
Continue this until satisfied with the finish. , Follow the instructions of either product; normally, you'll want to trowel on any wax and brush/ roll on and lacquer.
The lacquer is now finished, but once dried out, the wax can be rubbed with lambs wool to create an even higher shine. -
Step 3: Use a mirrored trowel (smaller the better for stucco) to apply the stucco.
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Step 4: Give the dry first coat a very light sand using high grade paper about 320 grit.
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Step 5: Apply the second coat of stucco the same way you did the first.
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Step 6: "De-crud" the surface.
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Step 7: Leave the wall to dry for a minimum of 8 hours.
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Step 8: Sand the surface very lightly and gently across surface.
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Step 9: Repeat one more coat of stucco.
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Step 10: Start to work your trowel over the surface in random directions.
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Step 11: Protect the finished surface with either a wax or lacquer.
Detailed Guide
If it's a gypsum plastered wall, then use a fine filler to repair any blemishes and sand where necessary.
This step is vital, as a stucco venetian plaster is very thin and any imperfections in the wall will show through.
Leave the primer 8 hours to dry before applying the first coat. , Work in a random manner across the surface starting at one side/corner and then going across.
Try to keep the first coat as flat as you can, but it doesn't have to be perfect.
Ensure the whole area gets an even coating. , This is very quick; an area of one square metre should take 10 seconds. , Try for an even coating, but bear in mind now the patterns you put in with trowel will come through the last coat and give it some character. , Once covered and the plaster is immediately starting to dry, trowel over the surface to take off any high spots of plaster. ,,, Once the coat is on, give the surface a gentle troweling up to start creating a shine.
If you feel the trowel is gripping then leave a short while for the plaster to harden a bit. , The ideal time to do this depends on the surface and conditions, but usually within 1 hour of stuccoing.
As you work, look across the surface and you will begin to see shine points all over.
Continue this until satisfied with the finish. , Follow the instructions of either product; normally, you'll want to trowel on any wax and brush/ roll on and lacquer.
The lacquer is now finished, but once dried out, the wax can be rubbed with lambs wool to create an even higher shine.
About the Author
Jerry Cooper
Experienced content creator specializing in hobbies guides and tutorials.
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