Why Venetian Plaster?

Venetian plaster is a product of the Renaissance, a time when the plasters we know of today didn't exist. Plaster was a combination of slaked lime, sand, and horsehair. A formula in common use from the earliest times, to well into the latter part of the 19th century. During the Renaissance, Italian plasterers in the area around Venice began experimenting with the basic plaster formula. Since marble quarries and clay pits abounded, these were the materials they experimented with. Marbles in a variety of hues were ground into fine particles and mixed with clays, and mineral pigments were added to intensify colors. These mixes were then added to the plaster. The common sand usually used in plaster was replaced with finely ground marble dust. The clays were used to extend the lime and produce a harder surface. The result was a hard lustrous plaster in varying hues. These new plasters were applied to the walls and ceilings of the finest buildings in and around Venice. Although the formulas for the plasters were closely guarded secrets, the plasters of Venice spread across Italy, Europe, and eventually by the late 18th century, to this country.

Master of Plaster Venetian plaster is the same basic formula as our Restoration plaster, except for the addition of color.

$134.95 per container +shipping

Preparation:

Material should be applied to surfaces that are clean and free of dust, dirt, and oils. If material is being applied to new sheetrock, blueboard, or rock lath all joints must be taped using self adhesive mesh tape. It is best to fill tapered joints to level. Mesh tape can either be bedded in wet material or applied to surface after it has dried. Sink all nail or screw heads and cover with small square of mesh tape.

If material is being applied to existing plaster surfaces, remove any loose or spauling paint. Surfaces should be clean and free of dust, dirt, and oils. Test for calcimine and remove if any is found. Large cracks should be covered with mesh tape.

Extensive "network" or "mapline" cracking should be covered with wider mesh tape, available in 36" wide rolls. Loose plaster should be removed and patched with structolite or comparable material, or reattached using screws and plaster washers.

If going over repairs made in structolite or similar material, it is advisable that the repair be coated with a "stain killer" such as bin prior to applying basecoat. This will prevent the repair from showing through. It is only necessary to prime the repair not the entire surface. If going over a new plaster wall it is not necessary to prime.

Application:

Master of Plaster Venetian plaster is meant to be applied in three coats. First a white basecoat. Second a color basecoat. Third the color finishcoat.

Use directly from container. It is not necessary to mix or add water. Material is best applied using a hawk and standard 3"x 10" stainless steel finishing trowel. "Master of Plaster" basecoat is self leveling. Apply white basecoat to all surfaces as thinly as possible. As material starts to set (approx. 15-20 minutes) go back over work and trowel as smooth as possible, (some ridges and trowel marks will remain). Allow to set 3-4 hours, overnight is recommended.

The second basecoat is a combination of two colors. Take equal amounts from each container and put on the hawk. Do not mix on the hawk. Using the finishing trowel, take both colors from the hawk an blend them on the wall. As material starts to set (approx. 10-15 minutes) using a small plant mister (spray bottle) lightly spray area and smooth. With Venetian plaster you may not want to smooth out the second basecoat completely. Leaving some of the trowel marks and blemishes will add interest when the finish is applied. It is recommended that you practice on a small piece of scrap material before applying to wall. The more figuring left in the second basecoat the busier the finish will appear.

Since "Master of Plaster" feathers out and blends easily, it is possible to work smaller areas rather than having to do one large area at a time. Just keep the edges wet and it will blend together. "Master of Plaster" is a very forgiving system. If an area gets too dry, or you didn't get all the trowel marks out, just re-wet and trowel until the desired effect is achieved. Allow to set 3-4 hours, overnight is recommended.

After the second basecoat has dried, apply the finish as thinly as possible. Again working in smaller areas (4-5 square feet) keep working the finish removing all trowel marks and blemishes, and move on to the next area. As one area starts to dry, lightly spray with a plant mister and re-trowel. As you re-trowel the finish will become smoother and shinier. It is possible to go from a low luster to a mirror finish by just troweling. The more you work it with a trowel the shinier it will get.

Master of Plaster has standardized its four most popular Venetian plaster colors and maintains a supply of each color. However, "Master of Plaster" Venetian plaster can be mixed in all shades of the color spectrum. If you have a specific color you want just send us a color chip and we will match it. Bear in mind the beauty of Venetian plaster is its mottled appearance and variation of color. All of our standard colors and custom color mixes are formulated to exact specifications so consistency of colors is assured. However, differences in the techniques of individual applicators will cause differences in the final appearance of the finished product.

It is advised that when doing Venetian plaster for the first time that the same person apply all three coats in any given application. Do not stop in the middle of a wall or ceiling and try to resume at a later time. If more than one person is going to work in an area, they should work closely together and establish similar troweling techniques. Two people should not work on the same wall until they have learned each others troweling techniques.

We are happy To custom mix any color you wish. However we do encourage you to experiment with mixing colors yourself.

Although Master of Plaster has a substantial amount of lime in it, you can still tint it with universal tints. In fact if you pick a color from a paint store that mixes their own paint, they will probably sell you the pigment at a nominal cost. Just pick the color you want. Tell then you want enough of that pigment to mix one gallon of paint. Add the pigment to a five gallon container of "master of Plaster" and you will get a near perfect match. If you want the finish to be nearly monochromatic with only slight mottling then just use one color in the second basecoat and work all the trowel marks out. The finish coat should be only a couple of shades lighter than the basecoat.

When mixing your own colors with "Master of Plaster" you should use a half inch electric drill and a paddle mixer. You will notice after mixing the material will be very loose. Let it sit for twelve or more hours and it with thicken up again.

Coverage:

Basecoat 170-220 square feet per 5 gallon bucket.
Finishcoat 510 -600 square feet per 5 gallon bucket.
Master of Plaster is meant to be applied as thinly as possible. Two coats of basecoat and one coat of finish should not be much thicker than a coat of paint. If applied as thinly as possible the higher coverage will be achieved. Since " Master of Plaster" goes on so thin there is no need to worry about loosing detail on cornices and casework.

Drying Time:

For best results, four to six hours drying time at temperatures 50 degrees is recommended between coats.

Cleanup:

Wash tools with plain water. Wipe dry to prevent rusting.

Storage:

Keep containers tightly closed. After material has been removed, replace cover. To preserve remaining material at the end of a project. Scrape sides of bucket and cover with cellophane or 1 inch of water. Unused material will keep for up to a year following these practices.

Shelf life of unopened material is 2 years. Do not store outside. Keep out of direct sunlight. Protect from freezing.

Caution:

Master of Plaster was designed not to be sanded. This product contains mica. Long term breathing of large amounts of mica dust may cause lung disease. Do not sand. Use of safety glasses is recommended.
Keep out of the reach of children.

Liability:

We shall not be liable for incidental and consequential damages, directly or indirectly sustained, nor for any loss caused by application of these goods not in accordance with current printed instructions or for other than intended use. Our liability is expressly limited to replacement of defective goods.