VENECIANO Venetian Plaster

VENECIANO IS:

·        A superior marble and lime based plaster used to create classic, high-sheen Venetian Plaster finishes as well as a multitude of other finishes. 

MATERIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

·        Veneciano is very hard and durable and is ideal for interior commercial as well as residential applications.

·        Veneciano has superior adhesive qualities.

·        Veneciano, unlike many other materials, touches up easily.

·        Veneciano may be burnished to a high polish.

·        Veneciano may be waxed for an added level of protection.

·        Tinted Veneciano will dry approximately 40% lighter than it appears when wet.

COVERAGE PER GALLON:

·        180-200 sq. ft. 

HOW TO APPLY:

·        Trowel

·        Spatula

HOW TO TINT:

·        Universal Colorants

·        Other Water Based Colorants.

·        200 Standard Colors to Choose From.  Custom Color Matching Available.

BEST WAYS TO USE:

·        One thin skim coat followed by 1-3 very thin layers, then burnish or wax.

·        Over Marmarino or other textured materials to create a unique high-low polished effect. 

                                                                                                                                                                      

Section 1:  PREPARATION

                Veneciano is for interior use only.

For smooth Veneciano finishes, surfaces must be smooth.  Veneciano will not fill existing wall imperfections.

NEW DRYWALL PREPARATION

          The level of drywall finish should be 4 or 5, preferably 5.

1)      Remove excess dust.

2)      Prime with a good quality, water-based, flat primer sealer or drywall primer.  Surface tension should be uniform, no flashing.  Primer needs to fill and neutralize absorption differences between gypsum board paper and joint compound.  Primer may be tinted 5% lighter than the Veneciano.

3)      If primed surface has tool marks, bumps, or ridges, sand until smooth.  Surface imperfections due to poor preparation or improper taping will telegraph through the finish.

EXISTING PAINTED SURFACE PREPARATION:

1)      Check painted surface and remove any dirt, grease, oil, or moisture.

2)      If the wall has any sheen, sand to remove sheen.

3)      Repair any holes or cracks and prime.  Sand down any bumps or ridges.

Note:  Orange peel texture will telegraph through finish and give a different finished look.  If this is not desired, skim coat with joint compound and follow directions for new drywall.  Or skim coat with Veneciano until desired level of smoothness is achieved,

            OTHER SUBSTRATE PREPARATION:

Veneciano may be applied over wood, glass, foam, paper, hardboard, metal, or other substrates.  Appropriate primers must be used to provide good adhesion prior to applying Veneciano.  Most plasters do not require priming if they are smooth and in good condition.

                                                                                                                                                        

            TOOL PREPARATION:

Blade of spatula, trowel, or other application tool must be free of nicks, jagged edges, or notches.

 

1)      Using 400-600 grit sandpaper, sand the edge of the blade in a half-circular motion until edge is smooth.

2)      Test edge by gently running finger along blade.  If any imperfections are detected, repeat sanding procedure.  Failing to eliminate imperfections in your tools may result in unwanted scratches in the Veneciano finish. 

MASKING:

Mask all adjacent surfaces, moldings, and trim.  Apply tape about 1/16” away from the surface you will be working on.  This will allow the Veneciano to fill between the wall and the tape and create a nice sharp line.  Remove the tape within 24 hours if possible.

Section 2:  APPLICATION BASICS

                TINTING:

Veneciano may be tinted with any water-soluble colorant.  Do not exceed an 8% colorant to material ratio.  That is approximately a maximum 10 oz. of colorant per 5-kilo (approx. 1 gallon) of Veneciano.

Veneciano is available in many standard colors from the supplier.  It may also be color matched.

Mix with a power drill or by hand.  If Veneciano is too liquefied to work due to large amounts of colorant, allow material to settle for 24 hours, covered, before applying.

Veneciano will dry approximately 40% lighter than it appears when wet.

Keep Veneciano bucket covered with a damp cloth or lid at all times.

VENECIANO SKIM COATING:

The first application of Veneciano will act as your skim coat. The physical texture you leave with this coat will telegraph through to your final finish.  Below are two suggested methods of applying the skim coat:

      TROWEL SKIM COAT:

1) Using a hawk and trowel, apply the Veneciano in a medium to thin layer.  Hold the trowel at about a 5-degree angle from the surface.  Cover the entire surface.  Spread as evenly as possible.

2) When Veneciano is tack-free (firm to the touch), but not completely dry (still dark), smooth with a clean trowel to close pores and knock down any ridges, streaks, or chatter.  Spray water on to make the surface slicker and easier to smooth.  The surface should feel smooth and flat when this step is completed. 

3) If the surface has undesired ridges or chatter after drying, sand with 400 sandpaper until smooth.  Clean surface with a dry rag followed by a wet rag before applying finish coat.  Ideally, no sanding will be necessary, but this takes practice.

4) Intentionally leaving slightly high points, ridges, or chatter in the first coat will telegraph through to the finish coat.  If desired, this will give a varied appearance to the finished Veneciano.  Make sure the pattern is not too mechanical or obvious looking.  Try to be random yet consistent with your pattern.                                                                                                                                                                       

Note:  While applying skim coat you may see occasional areas of the wall surface peeking through.  This can be fixed after the material has dried with  patches or can be subsequently covered with additional coats.

ROLLER SKIM COAT:               

·        Beginners may find this technique easier than the trowel skim coat. 

1) Mix 2 1/2 parts Veneciano to 1 part water.  Mix thoroughly until mixture becomes smooth and consistent.

2) First Coat: With a smooth roller, apply a medium coat of the mixture to the surface, and let dry until light spots begin to appear.  Take a clean trowel and smooth out the surface with a light pressure so as not to remove the material from the surface, or, let surface dry and sand with 220-400 grit sandpaper, then clean surface with a dry rag, followed by a damp rag.

3) Second Coat: After the first coat is completely dry, roll the mixture onto the surface again and immediately start to smooth/spread with a clean trowel randomly held between a two to five-degree angle.  Apply medium to firm pressure.  Smooth the mixture thinly and in all directions to avoid making any obvious lines.  Keep smoothing until the surface is as perfect as you desire.  Apply to one section at a time or have one person rolling the mixture and another person smoothing.

                TRADITIONAL VENECIANO FINISH COATING:

                                Any of the following techniques can be used for creating beautiful polished plaster finishes over the skim coat.  They will each have their own unique look.

Note: Do not begin finish coating until skim coat has cured completely.  This will take approximately two hours but can vary depending on condition.  Wait one hour after color has lightened completely.  If not completely dry, the top- coat may detach in some areas depending on the drying stage of the coat underneath.  This may be done intentionally to create a rustic, old world effect.

                A) VENECIANO CLASSIC TECHNIQUE:

This technique involves patching in the Veneciano with a stainless steel spatula and a hawk.  The spatula may be 4 1/2”, 6 1/2”, or 8 1/2”.  A double blade spatula is recommended.  This technique can be done with or without lines. First apply the outside areas randomly, using longer strokes first, leaving gaps to fill in afterwards with shorter strokes.

          PATCHING TECHNIQUE WITHOUT LINE:

1) From the hawk, load the spatula to the center of the blade.  Hold the spatula at a 2-degree angle or less (almost parallel to the surface) and spread/smear a short stroke of the Veneciano.  The knife should not touch the surface to avoid creating ridges, and the stroke length should be 1/2 the width of the knife or less (i.e. 8” spatula = 4” stroke or less). 

2) With the spatula at an 85-90 degree angle (almost perpendicular to the surface), immediately remove the Veneciano moving the spatula in the opposite direction from which it was applied, spreading the patch to double its original length.  Remove the material in a zigzag motion to eliminate obvious lines and borders.  Apply enough pressure to leave a very translucent film.

                      PATCHING TECHNIQUE WITH LINE:

Follow all directions in Patching Without Line above except, in part 2, remove the Veneciano in the same direction.

For both patching techniques, please note:

o       If some patches are thicker than the surrounding patches, they will dry lighter and may not blend properly. 

o       The drying time between coats for this technique is short due to the very thin layers.

o       If the material is not pulling off cleanly and easily, the Veneciano may be diluted with up to 5% water.

B) LAYERED VENECIANO:

This technique will create a beautiful tone on tone dimensional finish.  It requires a minimum of two ½ coats on top of a Veneciano skim coat.  Additional coats will help create a deeper luster and depth.

1)      First ½ coat:  Apply patches over entire surface as described in “patching technique” above.  The space between each patch should be less than ½ the width of the spatula.  Some patches may overlap.  The size of each patch should be roughly the same size as the width of spatula.

2)      Second ½ coat:  Now fill the gaps between each patch.  This will overlap many of the first patches, creating a layered effect.  Entire surface should be covered after this coat.

3)      Third ½ coat:  Repeat the first coat except work only about 8-10 sq ft and then apply fourth ½ coat.  Working smaller areas will allow you to see where your gaps are when you apply the fourth ½ coat.

4)      Fourth ½ coat:  Repeat step 2 in the area where the third ½ coat has been completed.

For the Layered Veneciano, please note:

o       When pulling the material off the surface after a number of strokes the material may seem too dry and difficult to remove.  Do not discard the remaining material on your blade.  Rather, just load the spatula with more material to the center of the blade and keep on working.

o       To reduce color contrast and preserve translucency on the final coat, thin the Veneciano with approximately 5% water.

o       After each coat, lightly remove any excess Veneciano by scraping the spatula blade in a forward motion at a 45 to 60 degree angle to the wall.   Try to do this soon after material has dried, preferably on the same day.

C) VENECIANO TROWEL APPLICATION:

1)      Using a hawk and trowel, spread a medium coat of Veneciano with one stroke from the bottom of the wall straight up about 2-3 feet.  Spread with trowel held at a 5-degree angle to the surface.

2)      Randomly spread the Veneciano outward from the first stroke.  Use varying pressures and keep changing the angle of the trowel to the wall between 5 and 40 degrees.  This will help create thicker and thinner areas in a natural way.  Spread the material like branches from a bush, up and to the side, but not horizontally.

3)      Keep smoothing; closing pores and knocking down ridges, streaks, chatters and nibs, until the surface is smooth and tack-free dry, but still dark.  Then smooth again.  Smoothing too often over thick areas may cause material to detach.

4)      Repeat this process “bush” by “bush”, leaving a space between each area approximately the same width as each “bush.”   Keep filling the surface.

5)      Fill in areas between “bushes” in a patchwork fashion, overlapping the “bushes”. When overlapping an area not completely dry, use the trowel at a 45-degree angle to remove excess Veneciano from the fresh area to avoid having the material detach.

Section 3:  FINISHING TOUCHES

BURNISHING VENECIANO:

                                GLOSS FINISH:

1)      Immediately after final application dries, burnish the surface with a clean, smooth spatula.  Hold the spatula at a low angle to the wall.

2)      Push the spatula back and forth against the surface in different directions.  Applying more pressure will help create a higher level of gloss, as will making several passes.

3)      If a higher gloss is desired, or if some small ridges or chatter is creating a slightly uneven surface, 1000 to 1200 grit sandpaper may be used.  Sand evenly and with a figure eight pattern.

4)      Clean the surface with a dry rag; then follow with a lightly damp rag.

SEMI-GLOSS FINISH

Follow instructions for gloss finish but do not burnish immediately.  Wait until the surface has dried completely.

Note:  When burnishing or applying, make sure the corners of your spatula are not curving into the walls, even when a good deal of pressure is applied. Otherwise they will scratch the Veneciano.  Bend the corners back until they can no longer touch the walls.

            WAXING VENECIANO:

Do not use wax, or for that matter any protective coating, until Veneciano has cured overnight.

                   WAXING WITH SPATULA:

1)      Lightly burnish the surface.

2)      Load the spatula with paste wax to the center of the blade.

3)      Apply the wax by spreading a short stroke with the blade almost parallel to the wall.  The blade should not touch the surface.  Then immediately remove the wax with the blade at an 85-90 degree angle to the wall, applying enough pressure to leave a very thin film.

4)      Remove in varying directions and apply in overlapping patches to the entire surface.

5)      With a dry, clean cotton cloth buff the entire surface.  This can be done by hand or with an electric polisher.

                        WAXING WITH COTTON CLOTH:

1)      Apply paste wax by hand or with electric polisher in complete circular motions, being careful not to create streaks.

2)      With a dry, clean cotton cloth, immediately massage the wax in to the surface and wipe off any excess.  Work section by section

3)      If streaks appear, re-wax the problem area again.

4)      Buff surface by hand or with electric polisher.

WAXING WITH IRIDESCENT POWDERS:

1)      Liquefy the paste wax by mixing vigorously or leaving it in a warm place, then pour in the iridescent powder as needed and mix well.

2)      Store the wax in a cool place until it returns to paste form.  Refrigerating will accelerate this process.

3)      Apply the wax using the spatula or cotton cloth method described above.

Note: Substituting a thick glaze for the paste wax and using one of the same application techniques is another option.

OTHER VENECIANO VARIATIONS:           

                        ADDING IRIDESCENT POWDERS TO THE VENECIANO:

It is possible to mix non-metallic iridescent powders directly into the Veneciano to create a metallic effect.  Mix about four parts Veneciano to one part iridescent powder.  Thin with 20 – 25% water.  Mix thoroughly.  Apply this final coat using the Veneciano classic technique, making sure to keep application as thin as possible.

STENCILING WITH VENECIANO:

Before applying final coat, or on top of the final coat, stencil using a thin coat of Veneciano.  Spread with a spatula smoothly and evenly, trying not to push the material under the stencil.  Smooth and close pores after it has set up for a while, and lightly burnish.  Remove stencil and allow the Veneciano to dry completely.  Sand stencil with 600 grit paper after it has dried.  Then apply the final coat of Veneciano over the entire surface, including the stencil.  This will give it a beautiful, embedded look.

Note:  Veneciano may be also be used as a lime wash.  Just dilute with clean water to create a paint-like consistency and apply with brush, spatula, or trowel.                                                                                                                               

            SEALING VENECIANO:

1)      Use a solvent or water-based penetrating sealer and apply to entire surface using a roller or a garden sprayer. Let dry completely.  

2)      Apply a second coat, let stand for five minutes, and wipe off excess with a sponge or rag.  Failure to wipe off excess sealer may result in a white residue  remaining on the surface.  Always test on a small area or sample first.

REPAIRING/RESTORING VENECIANO:

Veneciano can be easily repaired without having to redo the entire surface.

NICKS AND DEEP SCRATCHES:

1)      If waxed, remove wax.  Not necessary to remove a non-wax sealer or acrylic wax.

2)      Lightly sand damaged area and remove dust with damp cloth

3)      With a spatula, fill the deep scratches with Veneciano to a flush level with the rest of the surface.  Allow Veneciano to dry completely.  A heat gun or hair dryer may be used to speed drying.  If the surface is not level after drying, repeat process.

4)      Sand the repair area and use the original technique the wall was finished in, being careful to blend and feather in the outside of the patched areas.

SCUFF MARKS AND DEEP SCRATCHES:

Use 800-1000 sandpaper or finest steel wool to buff out the damaged area.

Remove wax first if necessary

WEAR AND TEAR:

Create patches over the worn area and blend/feather them in using the original technique the wall was finished in.

STAINS:

Clean the stain with detergent or acetone and allow to dry.  Patch the stained area with a slightly thicker patch than usual and allow to dry.  The thicker patch will dry lighter than the surrounding area.  Create patches over this area and blend/feather them in using the original technique the wall was finished in.