How to Create a Venetian Plaster Finish

How to Create a Venetian Plaster Finish
Project Skill Level: Intermediate DIY’er
Step 1
Begin your project by loading thoroughly mixed VENETIAN PLASTER onto a steel trowel.
Tip: To lessen the edge marks on your surface, round off the corners of your trowel
with 100-grit sandpaper or a file. For a smoother edge, follow up with 400-grit
sandpaper.
Step 2
Starting at a top corner of the project area, apply generous dabs of VENETIAN
PLASTER to the surface while holding the steel trowel at a 15º–30º angle.
Step 3
Using the trowel, thinly spread the Venetian plaster across the surface using long and
short random strokes. The original wall surface should peek through in certain areas.
Continue this process until the wall is completely covered. Allow the first coat of
Venetian plaster to dry for 4 hours before applying a second coat.
Tip: To prevent VENETIAN PLASTER from affecting your application, wipe off the steel
trowel often.
Step 4
Returning to the top corner of the project area, apply a thin second coat of VENETIAN
PLASTER over the previous application. Hold the steel trowel at a 60º–90º angle and
use long and short overlapping strokes.
Step 5
Fill in voids and recessed areas while covering the original wall surface completely.
Step 6
Smooth away any edge marks or high spots with the trowel. Continue this process
until the entire surface is covered.
Tip: Allow the second coat of Venetian plaster to dry 24 hours before burnishing the
surface or applying a topcoat. VENETIAN PLASTER TOPCOAT is recommended over
Venetian plaster surfaces in areas of high-moisture or high traffic. Do not burnish your
surface if you will be applying a topcoat.
How to Create a Venetian Plaster Finish
Top Coating
Step 1
If you are applying a topcoat to the surface, use a clean, flexible, 4” (or larger) steel trowel
to thinly spread VENETIAN PLASTER TOPCOAT onto the newly prepared Venetian plaster
surface. Hold the trowel at a 60º–90º angle and use long and short overlapping strokes.
Allow to it dry for approximately 24 hours.
TIP: By applying only thin coats of VENETIAN PLASTER TOPCOAT, you will avoid
producing puddles in the recessed areas of the surface that can create a milky
appearance on the topcoat.
Burnishing
Step 1
If you are burnishing the surface, use 400 or 600-grit sandpaper or a steel trowel. Rub
the surface in a circular motion until you arrive at the polished look you like. For larger
areas, a power sander may be used.
TIP: Allow the Venetian plaster to dry for 24 hours before you begin to burnish. Work
within 7 days of application.
Step 2
Wipe the burnished surface with a water-dampened rag to remove any plaster dust.
Step 3
Repeat the process until the project is complete.
Color Used: Vineyard Vines VP421
Recommended BEHR Products
PREMIUM PLUS® Interior Primers
PREMIUM PLUS WITH STYLE®
Venetian Plaster No. 770
PREMIUM PLUS® Interior Paintss
PREMIUM PLUS WITH STYLE®
Venetian Plaster Topcoat No. 775
PREMIUM PLUS ULTRATM Interior Paints
Suggested Equipment
File
Rags
Vinyl Gloves
Sandpaper
Protective Apparel
Steel Trowel
Stir Stick