Venetian Plaster Tips

                                                    MARMORINO Venetian Plaster

MARMORINO IS:

·        A versatile and beautiful version of the ancient polished stuccos used throughout history.  Consisting of traditional quality ingredients including marble flour, slaked lime, and fine sand, Marmarino can be used to create stunning stone-like finishes.

MATERIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

·        Marmorino can be finished smooth and polished to a high sheen

·        Marmorino can be used to create beautiful distressed finishes.

·        Marmorino is water resistant and excellent for kitchens and bathrooms.

·        Marmorino may be applied over almost any type of substrate.

·        Marmorino will produce exceptionally clear colors when polished or sanded.

·        Marmorino may be colored for a softer, distressed finish.

COVERAGE PER GALLON:

·        35-60 sq. ft.

 HOW TO APPLY:

·        Trowel

·        Spatula

HOW TO TINT:

·        Universal Colorants

·        Other Water Based Colorants.

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

BEST WAYS TO USE:

·        Apply two thin, even layers for a smooth polished finish.

·        Apply second layer in a patched manner for a distressed look.

Section 1: PREPARATION

Marmorino may be used on both interior and exterior surfaces

The level of drywall finish should be 3 or higher.

NEW DRYWALL PREPARATION:

1)      Remove excess dust.

2)      Prime with a good quality, water-based, flat primer sealer or drywall primer.  Fine sand may be added to your primer to create tooth for an easier, faster application of the Marmorino.  Let dry completely. 

3)      Surface tension should be uniform, no flashing.

EXISTING PAINTED SURFACE PREPARATION: 

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

2)      If the wall has any sheen, sand lightly.

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

Note:  Orange peel and other light to medium textures are acceptable substrates for 2-layer Marmorino finishes, as long as they do not contain too many high spots.  High spots may telegraph out unless they are knocked down or sanded off prior to the first coat of Marmorino.

Also note: Painted surfaces should have uniform absorption prior to application of Marmorino.  Inexpensive, chalky builder grade primers are not ideal undercoats for Marmorino.  Flashing, such as patched or oversprayed areas on the wall need to be sealed uniformly to match the rest of the wall before applying Marmorino.

                                                                                                                                                             

OTHER SUBSTRATE PREPARATION:

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

Note:  A breathable substrate, such as an exterior brown coat, should be generously wet down prior to the application of Marmorino.  A relatively smooth substrate is the best idea so as not to waste material by doing too much filling.

                  TOOL PREPARATION:

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

Failing to eliminate imperfections in your tools may result in unwanted scratches in the Marmorino finish.

MASKING:

Mask all adjacent surfaces, moldings, and trim.  Apply tape about 1/4” away from the surface you will be working on.  This will allow the Marmorino 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:

Marmorino 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. 1gallon) of Marmorino.

Mix with a power drill or by hand.

Marmorino will dry approximately 40-50% lighter than it appears when wet.

MARMORINO FIRST COAT:                       

The first coat of Marmorino may be applied smooth, with a sandy finish, or with chatter.  The way the first coat is applied will greatly influence how the finished product will look.  Applying at least a medium layer (1/8”) of Marmarino on the first coat is very important to achieving the nicest finished product.  Those unfamiliar with the product often make the mistake of applying the first layer too thinly.

     SMOOTH FIRST COAT

1) Using a hawk and trowel, apply the Marmorino in a medium layer (1/16” or a little more). Hold the trowel at about a 5-degree angle from the surface.  Cover the entire surface.  Spread as evenly as possible.

2) Soon after spreading the Marmorino over an area, come back with a clean trowel to smooth and level the same areas. This should help create an even layer free of waviness or chatter.

Note:  If the Marmorino begins to show too much chatter, use a slightly flatter angle with the trowel.

3) After the Marmorino is 80-90% dry, knock down any final ridges by using more pressure with your trowel.  If the material is pulling it may be too soon, or water may be sprayed on to make the surface slicker and easier to smooth.

4) If the surface still has undesired ridges after drying, sand with 80-150 sandpaper to smooth.  Clean surface with a dry rag followed by a wet rag before applying the next coat.  Ideally, no sanding will be necessary but this takes practice.  Since Marmorino will continue to harden over time, sanding within the first 24 hours following application is strongly recommended.                                                                                                

                        MARMORINO FINISH COATING:                      

SMOOTH MARMORINO:

1)      Apply a thin to medium coat using firm pressure.  Apply firmly from top to bottom of wall using a 5-degree angle with the trowel.  Use the heel-toe technique to move ridge to the side while leveling the surface.   Repeat smoothing if necessary.

2)      When the surface is about 80% dry, smooth again.  The surface should feel cool to the touch, still dark, and tack-free.  Continue smoothing until the entire surface is closed and smooth.  Water may be sprayed onto the surface if it becomes too sticky.

                  DISTRESSED MARMORINO:

1)  Apply Marmorino in patches, leaving a small percentage of the first coat open.    

Repeat patching until the desired look has been achieved.  Allow the       Marmorino to become slightly firm before smoothing so you do not smooth out the distressed       areas too much.

2)      An attractive variation uses 2-3 different colors of Marmorino simultaneously on the hawk to create interesting mixes of color.

3)      At 80 % dry begin closing the material using firm pressure on the trowel.  Closed areas will be easier to polish.  Using water to keep the surface slick and applying an increasingly firmer pressure with the trowel will help close the material and give it a higher sheen.

Note:  Be careful to clean tools during the 2^nd application of Marmorino, especially when smoothing and closing the material.  Using a putty knife to clean the spatula is helpful during this phase.

Section 3:  FINISHING TOUCHES

BURNISHING MARMORINO:

                    SMOOTH MARMORINO:

1)      Marmorino most easily burnished while the final application is drying. 

2)      At 80%-90% dry, when the Marmorino is still dark but firm to the touch, use a firm pressure and a 40 degree angle with a clean trowel to begin closing the Marmarino material and creating a flat, consistent surface. 

3)      Once the surface has begun to close, continue to use the edge of the trowel with firm pressure in all directions. 

4)      Let sit for 10-15 minutes and then polish with the trowel until the desired sheen has been achieved.  The goal is a consistently smooth, firm, flat surface.

5)      Using 400 grit sandpaper after the Marmorino is dry will help create a smooth, satin finish.

Note:  The final “closing” and burnishing of the smooth Marmorino will take some practice.  Be careful not to over-burnish, especially with lighter colors, as this may create undesired dark “veining”.  

DISTRESSED MARMORINO:

Follow instructions for the smooth Marmorino.  The areas that you close and smooth will have a higher polish than the rough areas, giving a beautiful high-low sheen and unique color variations to your finished surface.  For the distressed Marmorino use 150-220  sandpaper if you wish to smooth or polish an area after it has dried. 

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

WAXING MARMORINO:

When using a solvent-based wax, be sure the Marmorino has fully cured before applying.  48-72 hours is recommended.

                            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 almost perpendicular 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 right away.

4)      Buff surface by hand or with electric polisher.

WAXING WITH IRIDESCENT POWDERS:

1)      Liquefy the paste wax by mixing vigorously, 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.

                  COLORWASHING MARMORINO:

Distressed Marmorino is a particularly good finish for color washing.  The translucent glaze will stain the pitted areas darker than the smooth areas, further enhancing the aged quality of the finish.

 

1)      Create your color wash using water based glazing liquid or water and acrylic colorant.

2)      Apply the color in sections and wipe off with a paper towel or rag, allowing the glaze to set into the recessed areas.  With two people one can apply and one remove the glaze over a larger or entire section of wall.       

3)      If the smooth surfaces have not been closed consistently, the glaze may be too splotchy and inconsistent.  This can be resolved by applying a water based penetrating sealer prior to glazing (see below).

                  SEALING MARMORINO:

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 (efflorescence) remaining on the surface.  Always test on a small area or sample first.

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