Marmorino Application

The most widely used and versatile plaster - Page 6 of 6

PATCHING
If the venetian plaster takes on damage, like a major ding or nail hole, simply take the plaster and apply it onto the spot like nail hole filler. Even it out level to the wall. Let it dry, and then sand it, or wipe it with a rag, or plaster slurry or whatever it takes to make it look good. Remember to wipe away sealer or wax before doing this. If acrylic sealer was used, sand the area a bit and patch, then reseal. Most dings or scratches will disappear with reapplication of sealer. marmorino is easy to patch.

PEELING
If the plaster drags or peels when burnishing, stop and let the plaster dry a bit more. If this still persists, spray the area lightly with water and try burnishing again.

BUBBLES
Bubbles mean that the base coat is expelling gas or that you are burnishing when it is too wet.

CRACKING
Cracking means that perhaps the application is too thick. Try applying it a little thinner without giving up the look. Another possibility is that the substrate is sucking the moisture from the second coat and not letting it cure properly. This might be an atmospheric reason or that the base coat is other than drywall. If this happens, spray with a little water and press a trowel firmly against the area. Ideally, you would want to know in advance that it might crack (like on brown coat , lathe, etc.) so you could spray down the base coat with water. If when dry it is really cracked, like on the verge of falling off in large sections please contact us right away. If this happens, scrape out the areas, spray them with water, and apply plaster as a patch, leveling the area. If you plan to use Lime Paint or something similarly dramatic, this fix might be fine. If you aren't adding anything, we recommend replastering the whole wall.

LIGHT SPOTS AFTER BURNISHING
If after burnishing, there are undesirable light spots that you missed, then spray water over the areas and polish them with a 600-grit sandpaper, preferably one that won't leave its color on the wall.

TRIM JOINT LINE IS NOT STRAIGHT
If the line where you taped is not straight, either wipe clean any excess plaster/paint with rag and water, or re-tape the area and run a finger full of plaster in the spot. Instead of using a finger, you can add water to the plaster making a slurry out of it, then paint the area.

OVER BURNISHED AND THERE ARE DARK SPOTS
First try lightly sanding the area with a 600-grit sandpaper and wiping with a damp rag. If this doesn't work try 400-grit. If that doesn't do it, wet the area, and repeat the sanding. Be gentle. Wipe with a damp rag afterwards. Finally, make the plaster into a slurry by adding water. With this paint, dab the areas with a small brush.

GAPS BETWEEN WALLS AND TRIM
This is usually because the trim is not caulked. Caulk larger gaps before you start. The smaller gaps can be filled with plaster on the second coat. Currently on new construction, wood is often not perfectly dried and the trim shrinks. In older homes you usually don't have to worry too much about this. For newer homes, try taping the trim a little closer to the wall, so if it does crack, it's not too obvious.

PLASTER IS NOT ADHEREING TO PRIMED WALL
You may be using a cheaper chalky primer. Use Zinser 123 acrylic primer, water based Killz, Fresh Start or other similar primer/sealers. Remember to scuff /sand the primer before primer application for extra tooth. If you are really concerned, add a little sand to your primer to give it more of tooth.

CLEANING AND MAINTENENCE
Unsealed marmorino is relatively resistant to most stains and dirt. The first line of defense is to wipe with water, then scrub, then use soap and water, then sand, wipe with rubbing alcohol or similar clear thinner, and if nothing else works, make the plaster into a slurry and dab the area with a brush. If marmorino is unsealed, do not clean the adjacent trim with oil. If it gets on the plaster, it will discolor. Wipe walls only with water, unless cleaning difficult dirt. If it is sealed with any type of sealer, then you can clean the trim with oil. The best all-around sealer for general areas is the Olive Oil Sealer.

MARMORINO APPLICATION
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