Veneziano Application

Venetian Plaster made with lime and crushed marble - Page 4 of 7

Time yourself:
100 square feet takes about 45 minute to an hour to apply. If you're new at this, it might take a little longer. You should start leveling/floating the layer after about 30 minutes and burnishing it after 45 minutes. Since you want to keep it wet on wet when applying, based on the drying time, it would seems impossible to finish an area of more than 100-200 square feet by yourself. To solve this problem, spray water on the seams/edge of the plaster. This will give you more workable time. You might want to wet the whole area before application, too. We have done this successfully with 500 square foot ceilings for seamless finishes. This method is easier if the color of the plaster is lighter. If the area is too tall or difficult and slow to work around, you may want to reconsider. If you're adding Lime Paint (or a similar dramatic effect) afterwards, then don't worry too much. You will be able to hide most imperfections.

OK, finally the application. Just remember: do skim coats, make sure your trowel is clean, make it look natural by consistent layering and make at least three 2' x 2' samples before the real thing. Lastly, APPLY, FLOAT and BURNISH.

1st coat:
Apply about 1/32nd of an inch thick or less, keeping your trowel at a five-degree angle or less from the wall. These are mostly skim coats, like butter on hot toast. These could be thick or thin skim coats, but all the same, skim coats. Make some micro texture on the first coat, making sure the texture is somewhat flat. When the wall is about 75% wet, but not sticky wet (like clay) and 25% sticky wet (like yogurt), float the 'wetter' plaster into the dryer areas. This way you simultaneously make more textural effect and flatten the thicker texture of the first coat. Try not to make too much chatter with the trowel. Chatter is patterned lines that the trowel can make if held at too great an angle. If this happens; float out the chatter or just re-trowel the spot. Depending on the look you're going for, you might want chatter. Never burnish the first coat (or any coat that's not the last). Allow 24 hours to dry.

2nd coat:
The second coat should ideally be applied wet on wet. However, Veneziano is very forgiving when it comes to sanding, blending and feathering out. The second coat dries faster than the first so work it a little faster. Before you start, if you want a razor sharp edge between the wall and trim, put some plaster on your finger and run a thin layer of plaster between the tape and wall. Apply just enough so you can still easily remove the tape. Right afterwards, start to trowel plaster in a similar fashion as the first coat at about 1/32nd of an inch or less. Again hold the trowel at a five-degree angle or less. Layer your skim coats about two or three trowelings per area. This is what will make the illusion of texture and color. The more you layer it, the busier it will look. Each trowel stroke will have it's own distinct memory. After about five minutes, you should go back and level or float out some wet spots. This is also a good time to fix any odd trowel marks by layering it again. Check out the creative techniques section for more information.

VENEZIANO APPLICATION CONTINUED
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