Venetian Plasters

 

Today we have mainly two types, synthetic and lime base. The synthetics for the most part have no plaster in them and most lime base is modified having and acrylic or other type bonding agent. Both types are for troweling although some say roll on the first coat (syn) but for smooth “Venetian” style finished walls (what we call this in America ), you should be troweling every layer. Both should start on the smoothest possible walls. Any irregularity only intensifies as the layers go on.

Any “good” Venetian plaster product can be burnished with the trowel. Burnishing shines up the synthetics and the lime but with lime it closes the surface and no other layers should be applied, at least with pure lime putty. The synthetics can take another layer if need even after a burnish. It’s a glorified paint. Mostly acrylic. And to be honest, some are very easy to use and look great.

The limes aren’t really harder in my opinion, they just have some extra steps, like misting water between coats (a lime layer bonding procedure) and also your substrate may need a quartz type primer to give some “tooth” so the lime stays on the wall. Lime plaster dose not absorb into previous painted walls well.

We prefer the Pavan type trapezoid trowel that is stainless steel with a polished radius on the edges and rounded corners. Spatula type blades work well too but are a slower process.

The key to troweling any of these products is the amount going on the wall. It is best to put a “tight” skim on, working into where you just were. And be thorough with your coverage. Any low points in the surface will miss out on burnishing.

I like the look as is when finished but there are many waxes on the market to add to the look including several sheens, colors and metallic.