Veneziano Application

Venetian Plaster made with lime and crushed marble - Page 2 of 7

Priming
Use a water based/acrylic primer to prime the drywall. Primer should be used on other substrates, such as wood, glass, metal or almost anything that is relatively smooth. Zinser 1-2-3, Benjamin Moore's Fresh Start or Killz primers are your best bet. Not only do you want the primer to adhere extremely well to the wall, but if there is ever a leak from plumbing or rain, the primer will create a barrier between the plaster and the leak. NOTE: Mask before you prime. See best masking practices below. Also, when using most stain blocking primers in smaller confined areas with little ventilation, consider wearing a respirator (not a dust mask). Some primers have styrene, carbonized chlorine and ammonia. With Veneziano; good priming is crucial, especially on new construction. Since you are applying thin layers, make sure there is absolutely no taping mud/gypsum mud showing through. This will crack the plaster or make for very poor adherence. In fact, priming twice is best.

After priming, scuff or lightly sand the wall with 220-grit sandpaper to make sure you have some tooth. You can add a little sand to the primer if there's any concern regarding lack of adhesion to the wall.

Remodels and old walls
Light orange peel texture is fine as long as you use three layers of plaster instead of two (only burnish on the third coat). For thicker texture, you should skim coat drywall with plaster/mud, then sand until the walls are reasonably smooth. For thicker 'cottage cheese' walls, sand with at least 80-grit or lower sandpaper, preferably with an orbital sander. Then dust off (clean) and prime the walls with an above-mentioned primer. You can skip priming if the walls are relatively new and are well painted. Just remember to scuff walls to give extra tooth to the plaster. It is recommended that flat walls be primed.

Plastering over wallpaper
If there is wallpaper, strip it. If you are willing to play it less safe; be certain that it is firmly attached to the wall before applying plaster over it. Find a corner of the wallpaper and try to strip it dry. If it comes off with ease, is old and peeling, or has several layers it is best to strip it. If the wallpaper is on the ceiling; pay special attention. It is always best to strip the ceiling of wallpaper; gravity will not be your friend. If the wallpaper adheres well to the wall, prime it with an oil-based primer, such as Zinser's or Killz oil based primers (these primers can be messy and hard to clean). Afterward, prime with water based primer as mentioned above. (you're putting water based on top of oil based - it won't corrode and bubble like my floors did when I did that?) Consult your local paint store for further advice. Of course, for a long-lasting professional finish; we highly recommend stripping all wallpaper.

VENEZIANO APPLICATION CONTINUED
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