Venetian plaster is relatively new decorative coating, containing stone dust and marble particles. This coating gives the walls the effect of natural stone of valuable species.

The use of such plaster allows you to introduce some stylistic solutions into the renovation of a room that require thorough and fundamental finishing, without spending a lot of money on the purchase of natural stone.

In addition, walls covered with plaster retain the warmth and comfort of the house. And with proper and proper protection, the marble pattern on the walls will delight you for many years.

In order for the skillful pattern to last on the walls for a long time and retained its original appearance for several years, and maybe even decades, it is necessary to take care of the protective material.

Plaster wax copes best with this task. It creates a light, thin, shiny film on the surface that prevents fading, burning out and protects the decorative coating from dust and possible accidental damage.

Important! A thin layer of wax will give the plaster beauty, practicality and durability

Wax for Venetian plaster: types and differences

There are many treatment compounds on the market. Some of them require professional application skills, others are quite simple and economical. To pick up best option, consider the types of wax for protection Venetian plaster:

. gel wax: has hiding power suitable for hard coatings and dense layers of plaster;

. liquid solution: suitable for fragile, porous surfaces, creates a thin protective layer and is quickly absorbed;

For a glossy shine, you can pay attention to natural compositions based on beeswax, such mixtures contain a large amount of water and natural ingredients;

Gives a matte and discreet shine to the surface synthetic solutions, consisting of polymer compounds, which are more resistant to indoor use and pollution;

Based on style considerations, you can apply it as transparent, so colored wax for plaster, if the surface needs tinting or color correction.

Price protective coating depends not only on the volume of the material, but also on the components included in the composition, the name of the manufacturer, the equipment and raw materials he uses.

Important note! It is better to purchase products from European manufacturers; their quality is beyond praise, although the cost is quite high.

You should not skimp on the finishing solution, since it depends on it general impression about repairs and how practical and durable the coating will be.

Nuances and features of the application process

It is necessary to apply wax for decorative plaster after the surface has completely dried.

Important!

How to Apply Wax to Venetian Plaster

If the plastered wall has already been standing for some time after drying, it is worth cleaning the surface of dust and dirt. A vacuum cleaner with a soft brush will do the best job for this task. Use gentle and gentle movements to collect dust, being careful not to damage the coating!

Many craftsmen, of course, have their favorite techniques, thanks to which they apply wax for decorative plaster in an even and smooth layer. If you doubt your skills, it is better to entrust this work to a professional, so you can be confident in the quality and durability of the result.

However, applying wax to dried plaster yourself is quite possible if you have enough time and patience.

Main stages:

1. Allow the surface to be treated to dry completely;

2. if necessary, clean the plastered area from dirt;

3. cook handy tool; Many wax manufacturers recommend using a trowel, however, without sufficient skills, it will be quite difficult to handle it. Therefore, we recommend using a rubber spatula. This is a simpler and more flexible tool that will allow you to evenly distribute the protective layer.

4. Apply the composition, starting with small areas, having treated one, move on to the next, moving along the surface of the wall.

Important! To avoid unnecessary seams and irregularities on the surface, treat the entire surface or at least 1 wall at a time.

5. Once application is complete, take a soft, lint-free cloth and gently rub the surface until shiny.

Remember that all blemishes can be removed within 4 hours after application. Too thick a layer of the composition can be easily removed with a cloth, and already hardened areas can be cleaned with a rag moistened with white sprit.

In order to give the walls the desired shade, use colored compounds. Transparent mixtures are suitable for complex or ideally colored surfaces.

To perform all steps continuously, stock up on enough material.

Depending on the porosity of the surface and the composition of the plaster, wax consumption may vary. However, as a rule, it does not exceed 50-80 grams per 1 square meter.

If all the work is done correctly and accurately, then thanks to decorative Venetian plaster the wall will look as if it was decorated with natural marble, and the use of gold-plated solutions will give a luxurious and festive look to the surface.

Use high-quality materials: savings are unacceptable here

If you choose Venetian plaster to give your walls a noble and sophisticated look, it is important to ensure good protection. Choose the best and proven materials to get a decent result. You should not skimp on the finishing coat and working tools.

If you are confident in your abilities and have enough time, applying protective wax for decorative plaster yourself will be quite possible. You will need accuracy and concentration, attentiveness and scrupulousness.

Decide what effect you want to achieve, whether the room needs a glossy shine or is it better to choose a matte finish, whether the color of the already applied plaster needs to be adjusted.

Calculate the surface area and buy a solution based on a consumption of 80 grams per 1 square meter. It is better to have a surplus in stock than to urgently buy more composition, taking a forced break from work, which may affect the final result not for the better.

Prepare your tools. Take both a rubber spatula and a trowel; as you work, it will become clear which is more convenient for you to work with.

Also have a sufficient amount of clean, lint-free cloth available for finishing walls.

Just in case, keep a solvent nearby, it will help remove an already hardened layer applied too thickly, which can excessively darken a section of the wall.

Applying a protective coating is the last step finishing works. All “dirty” work must be completed before the polishing stage.

Let the solution dry and enjoy the result of your work.

Properly applied plaster appears as a single sheet or poured material that has a radiant sheen. It looks stylish and expensive. Accuracy, thoughtfulness, adherence to instructions and a little practice are the key to success in any type of decorative work. There is nothing overly complicated about applying wax yourself if you work carefully and without haste.

Waxing Venetian plaster

• 1. Composition of wax for Venetian plaster

• 1.1. Waxing Venetian plaster

After the main layers of Venetian plaster have been applied, the most important stage begins - waxing the surface. The final result depends on how correctly and efficiently it is executed, and, of course, the degree of similarity between the Venetian and natural marble.

Waxing Venetian plaster is the most complex and painstaking process. The wax should be applied in such a way as to protect the surface of the plaster as much as possible, while giving it a certain shine.

No less important here is the composition of the wax for Venetian plaster, which must be of high quality and reliable in operation.

Composition of wax for Venetian plaster

Today, on the shelves of construction stores, you can mainly find several types of wax for Venetian plaster.

Forum of interior designers, architects and decorators

Natural wax, which contains beeswax and various synthetic analogues.

You should know that Venetian wax is synthetic based and has a longer service life. In addition, it better protects the surface being finished from moisture. Its only disadvantage is that the wall turns out a little matte after applying it.

Natural wax, on the contrary, gives the highest possible gloss to the surface after processing Venetian plaster with it.

Wax may also vary in color. There are compositions, both completely transparent and colored. Colored wax is used for processing white coatings, but transparent wax should be chosen for waxing Venetian plaster.

Making wax for decorative plaster with your own hands is not difficult, since for this you will only need to have:

Wallpaper glue (for non-woven wallpaper);

Glossy varnish;

Silver paint.

However, before using this composition for finishing Venetian plaster, it is still better to first consult with a specialist knowledgeable in his field.

Waxing Venetian plaster

In order for the waxing of Venetian plaster to be done correctly, you need to follow a certain sequence, as well as prepare the tools necessary to perform this work.

Well, firstly, you will need soft napkins and cloth, a trowel (a metal spatula with rounded edges), the wax itself and a little patience.

At the first stage, Venetian wax is applied using a trowel and evenly smoothed over the surface to be treated. The thickness of the applied layer should be minimal, which is very important to avoid the formation of stains on Venetian plaster.

At the second stage of waxing the Venetian, after the surface has dried sufficiently (at least 24 hours), you can begin to polish it. Polishing Venetian plaster is performed with a soft suede cloth, and the process itself is somewhat reminiscent of grouting the surface after it has been puttied.

You can give the room originality and a unique interior not only with the help of objects. Suitable for changing the appearance of a roomVenetian plaster, which today will become the object of our research. We will dive into the history of its creation, find out its features, decide on the application technology and find out what tools will be needed in the work..

If the wall we are looking at resembles a marble surface where there are no seams, we can say that it is finished with Venetian plaster. The material in question was invented in Ancient Rome. Our ancestors mixed slaked lime with marble dust, resulting in an elastic composition. Applied to the wall, it looked like natural marble. To enhance the effect, various natural dyes were added to the mixture.

The most popular material was ordinary clay. Its use gave the finish a similarity to natural marble. To make the Venetian marbled plaster finish durable, a layer of wax was applied to it and polished.

During the Renaissance in Venice, Venetian plaster was used instead of marble slabs. It was applied to walls, columns and ceilings. The material responded poorly to fluctuations in t0 and humidity, was easy to process and affordable.

Nowadays, this type of finishing has not lost its relevance. The components discussed above are also used today to prepare the mixture. Modern technologies allow the introduction of other binders into its composition to give the decorative plaster a light or rich color.

Features of Venetian plaster

The features of the “Venetian” include its components and the unusualness of the resulting pattern, which you can read about below. A material that is often found and considered a classic is a material with a marbled texture - Venetian marble plaster.

Although, this can often be finished in silver, gold or mother-of-pearl.

Types of Venetian plaster:

1. “Veneto” is a classic that never loses its relevance. It imitates polished marble. Plaster is popular because of its appearance and a relatively low price.
2. “Trevignano” is distinguished by the fact that the finished surface has the effect of shining from the inside. This material has many colors and different shades.
3. “Ensausto” externally resembles granite in its structure. It is distinguished by a semi-matte color.

The composition of Venetian plaster intended for interior work– this is a waste of processed marble, malachite, granite, quartz. The substance of the working mixture is particles of material different sizes. The smaller they are, the smoother the resulting surface will be.

To work with Venetian plaster you need to prepare:

1. A primer that must contain quartz filler. This is for preparatory work.
2. Water.
3. Plaster mixture.
4. Different colors to give certain shades.
5. Sandpaper for grouting and sanding with a fine fraction.
6. Wax, in paste or liquid form, to protect marble Venetian plaster and bring the work surface to a glossy finish.
7. For the primer you will need a spatula and a roller.
8. You will need a trowel to distribute the mixture.
9. Rubber spatula for working with wax.

And also, a rag for wiping working tools and containers for mixtures and water.

Venetian plaster: application technology

Having purchased necessary materials and having prepared the working tool, you will not be able to plaster the walls without preparing them. This stage is the most important, on which the final result of your work depends in the future. Preparing walls for Venetian plaster includes thorough cleaning of old coatings, dust and dirt. Irregularities in the walls are revealed. If there are cracks, they must be removed using sand-cement mortar. Then the working surface is degreased and impregnated with primer. deep penetration in order to increase the adhesion of the coating and prevent the development of fungi.

Pay attention!

How to apply Venetian plaster: a step-by-step process

In the retail chain, plaster is offered in buckets and has a paste-like consistency.

Considered basic white, to which various dyes are added. You can create a color scheme directly in the store or with your own hands at home. The tool you will need is a drill with an attachment. The mixing process may take 5 to 10 minutes. It is important to do the work carefully, paying special attention to the walls of the bucket, where there may be unmixed components. It’s easy to check: take a block and run it along the walls. The procedure should be performed several times. The full stage of creating a color scheme can take from 10 to 20 minutes. Now you can start painting.

Advice!

It is possible that the color will change slightly after drying. It’s easy to check: apply a test smear and let it dry. After this you can add dye.

Important!

When the composition is ready, it is impossible to repeat it exactly - there will be differences. Therefore, there is no point in saving. It is better to prepare the mixture with a reserve.

How to apply layers correctly

Methods of applying Venetian plaster involve the use of two or more layers.

It is important to imagine what you want to get in the end. Layers are applied in different ways. But each one must be leveled and polished. Do not forget that before laying the next layer you must allow the previous one to dry. And only after laying the last layer can you begin processing beeswax. You can use wax made on a synthetic base.

• beeswax gives gloss;
• synthetics - matte.

Wax is not only gloss, but also protection from moisture. Therefore, Venetian plaster can be applied to the walls in the bathroom. At the same time, one nuance should be taken into account: synthetic wax is used for the bathroom.

The rules for laying the first layer correspond to the requirements for applying conventional plaster. The main thing is that it works out smooth surface. The process involves the use of a working tool - a trowel, on which a small amount of the composition is taken and rubbed on the wall.

Second and subsequent layers

The second and subsequent layers should be applied in chaotic strokes. A flexible, thin metal spatula is used. It is not necessary to maintain uniform application. It is from chaotic movements that shapes and lines appear on the wall, like on marble. The drying process of each layer takes from one to ten hours. It all depends on the thickness of the layer, the composition of the product, humidity and temperature. Drying details and recommendations should be on the packaging. When the surface is dry, it is rubbed with a trowel. In the process, differences are smoothed out.

Then the next layer is applied to the finished surface using the previously described technology, which is based on random movements. Wait for it to dry again and smooth it with a dry trowel. Depth and brightness largely depend on the number of layers.

Finish stage

The final layer should be applied with a thin metal spatula. The layer should be almost transparent. A small amount of the mixture is taken and applied to the surface, pressing the spatula tightly. Then the drying process is already familiar to us, which will take 20-50 minutes.

Ironing process

It is important not to overdry the last layer. It should be slightly damp. We begin ironing by processing small sections of the wall (half a m2). We applied the mixture and rubbed it in, performing circular movements with a trowel on which there should be no chips or cracks. You will see for yourself how the pattern and characteristic shine will appear. Gradually, the “Venetian” will acquire depth and layering like marble.

Working with wax

It is better to carry out this process after the Venetian plaster has dried. This may take from 12 to 24 hours. Wax is applied with a wide spatula thin layer.

Beeswax polishing

When the wax dries, which takes 30-50 minutes, we begin to polish the work surface. We use a grinder or drill with a short, soft pile attachment. To ensure that the wax does not wear off, but gradually penetrates the plaster, it is necessary to set the working tool to 3 thousand revolutions per minute.

The process is similar to working with natural product. Synthetics are used if you need to get a matte shade with protection. The synthetic product dries from 10 to 14 days, and only after this time can it be wiped, washed, and so on.

Basic rules when working with Venetian plaster

What is needed to apply Venetian plaster? It's simple, you need to follow a number of rules. First of all, you need to work slowly, carefully processing each area. Remember that the minimum number of coats applied is three.

The more layers are applied, the more impressive the work will look at the final stage. For example, best samples made using this technique, there are 8 layers!

On final stage Be sure to wax the surface. This will add shine and protect the work for a long time.

Photos of the best options for Venetian plaster in the interior

Samples of examples of Venetian plaster have been prepared especially for you. Look and choose. Maybe some combination will interest you.

8 layers were used in this work

You can create any design using dyes

Venetian plaster looks equally good on any surface

About the pros and cons

The undeniable advantages of the “Venetian” include:

1. Waterproof qualities of plaster after waxing.
2. Lack of toxicity and complete safety for people, including children.
3. In all respects it meets the requirements of fire safety characteristics.
4. Venetian plaster is easy to care for.
5. Operational period from 5 to 10 years.

There are few disadvantages, but they are:

1. High cost.
2. Long preparatory part.
3. Labor-intensive technology.

In conclusion

You can do the work yourself. But, given the complexity and high cost of the process, it is recommended to contact specialists.

On clear example It will be easier for you to understand the technology of applying Venetian plaster and then do the work yourself. Good luck!

Venetian plaster and its application technique were invented by the ancient Romans. It received special recognition in Venice several thousand years later (Renaissance), which is why it bears its name. For many Italian artists of the Renaissance, plaster was a favorite material. Its composition has changed little since then. Except that some artificial additives have appeared. Traditionally, plaster consists of marble or granite chips, dye and binding agent (lime, acrylic or similar substances).

The coating imitates natural materials: marble, malachite, lapis lazuli jasper, etc. The material is capable of conveying an internal glow, the play of light and shadow, against which intricate images appear. Plaster also allows you to get the effect of an old cracked wall. The interior, decorated using Venetian plaster, is imbued with the spirit of the European Middle Ages. The surface can be obtained in different colors, matte or glossy. Venetian plaster is used to decorate the inside of buildings. Work surface must be perfectly flat and specially prepared. From 0.3 to 1.2 kg of material is consumed per “square”. It dries for at least a day. To achieve decorative effects at the finish we use varnishes (finish varnish, acrylic), protective wax, glazing pearl composition, decorative additives - gold, silver, bronze, mother of pearl, sparkles, decorative enamels, water-dispersion paints, structural rollers, stencils, etc.

How the surface is prepared

Before applying Venetian plaster, the surface is leveled and puttied using latex putty. Then the walls are treated with a deep penetration primer, which helps level out the absorbency of the surface and also prevent the appearance of mold and mildew on it. The primer dries in 12 hours. In order to increase the adhesive properties of the surface, it is also treated with a covering primer. The primer used for application is colored, matching the color of Venetian plaster. The drying time of the covering primer is at least 2 hours. After which the surface is cleaned with a spatula.

How the material is prepared

For application, you can use colored Venetian plaster. You can select the desired color in the store or prepare the material yourself. To do this, dye is added to the plaster; it is better if it is concentrated. Using an electric drill with a “mixer” attachment, the dye is combined with the material. It is necessary to mix for at least three minutes, which will allow you to obtain a mixture of uniform color. After drying, the color of the colored material does not change, which is a feature of Venetian plaster. Therefore, there is no need for preliminary painting. You can see immediately what color the coating will be. The material must be colored with a reserve. After all, you won’t be able to get the same color the next time you mix it. The shade will always be different. Therefore, you need to immediately make enough material to cover the working area.

How to apply Venetian plaster

To apply the material, use a spatula and a Venetian trowel. To cover a stone, the material is applied in layers, but not less than two layers. Consider a three-layer coating. The 1st and 2nd layers are applied with a trowel. The plaster is spread in an uneven layer using the edge of a trowel, moving from dry to wet. This method of application allows you to avoid traces of the initial points of contact of the tool with the surface. The 1st layer dries in an hour or two, depending on the humidity in the room being repaired. The dried surface is cleaned with a spatula or trowel. Then the next layer is also applied, which also dries for a couple of hours. After drying, the wall is treated in the same way as after the first layer. The 3rd layer is applied with a scraper spatula. The result is a translucent layer.

After 30-50 minutes, you can begin ironing and glossing the surface on which the design should appear. Complexity this stage is to prevent the formation of scratches and abrasions on the hardened material. Then it will no longer be possible to correct the defects. Therefore, ironing must be done very carefully. The surface is ready, provided that the finishing is done in a dry room. If the coating is intended to be used in a damp room or if it is planned to be subjected to constant wet cleaning, decorative wax must be applied to the surface.

The surface is covered with wax using a spatula or trowel 24 hours after applying the finishing layer of plaster. The material is applied evenly in a thin layer to the strip, otherwise it will crack and peel. After applying the wax, after 30-50 minutes you can begin polishing using polishing machine or an electric drill with a wax polishing attachment. The nozzle is made of soft material. The frequency should not exceed 3000 rpm, otherwise the wax will burn. Sanding is done until a uniform glossy surface is formed. After polishing, the wax acquires a gloss of up to 80%. The wax dries completely in only two weeks.

Necessary tools and equipment:

• bath with a fur roller;

• spatulas 30 cm and 15 cm;

• Venetian trowel;

• electric drill (mixer attachment);

• polishing machine (wax polishing attachment).

Contrary to the prevailing opinion that applying Venetian plaster is a task worthy only of professionals, there are many arguments that finishing walls with this method is not only easy, but also presents practically no difficulties at all. Unless, of course, we are talking about an ordinary imitation of a marble surface. It is much more difficult to prepare the base than to apply a thin layer of ready-made Venetian plaster on it. Want to make sure of this? Then let's go through the whole process of decorating walls with Venetian plaster step by step and find out its features step-by-step application. And then decide for yourself how difficult this whole matter is for you.

Applying Venetian plaster with your own hands photo

DIY Venetian plaster: stage one

The process of applying Venetian plaster begins with priming the surface. To ensure high-quality and durable wall covering, it is better to use a primer that contains fine quartz sand. By purchasing ready-made solutions Venetian plaster, in the same decorative coatings salon, ask which primer is suitable for this or that mixture. The primer is applied exclusively with a hard brush using chaotic short movements. The fact is that traces of the primer are visible through a thin layer of Venetian and will look ugly against the background of the resulting pattern. It is for this reason that the primer must be applied using exactly the same movements as the Venetian itself. After applying the primer layer, it must be left to dry completely for 6-12 hours.

How to apply Venetian plaster photo

In order not to waste time while the soil dries, you can start preparing the Venetian solution itself. In principle, if you order it at a salon, then the necessary colors will be prepared for you directly there. If you purchased a homogeneous mixture at a hardware store, then it needs to be colored. It is quite difficult to make a solution of the required color manually. It’s like a lottery, maybe you’ll guess the amount of dye, or maybe you’ll ruin the whole composition. Therefore, it is better to use the services of computer equipment (by the way, it is available in almost any construction supermarket). It will be necessary to prepare two types of solution for the Venetian - they should differ from each other in color. One mixture should be lighter and the other darker. Combine different colors It's not worth it at random.

DIY decorative plaster

Application of Venetian plaster: stage two

To apply decorative Venetian plaster with your own hands you will need:

1. special trowel made of polished stainless steel;
2. small spatula;
3. damp cloth.

The process of applying this plaster itself looks very simple. A small amount of mortar is applied to the trowel using a small spatula, after which the trowel is placed against the wall and with a short movement the composition is transferred from the trowel to the wall. It is very important to understand that the layer of the composition must be very thin - therefore the trowel must be pressed firmly against the wall and held almost perpendicular to it.

The next stroke, allowing you to apply a solution of decorative Venetian plaster to the wall, should be directed perpendicular to the previous one - all subsequent strokes are applied in the same way. The most interesting thing is that you can even draw a picture on the wall this way. But we’ll leave this matter to the professionals, and we will achieve the effect of a marble wall - for this, we need to cover the entire wall with the chaotic strokes described above. If we are talking about applying Venetian plaster with your own hands throughout the room, then you should take into account that you need to work on planes - if you start making a wall, then you need to completely finish it and only then move on to another.

DIY decorative Venetian plaster

Applying one layer of decorative plaster is not even half the battle. After 6-12 hours, when the wall covered in this way has dried, you can begin to apply the second layer of Venetian plaster. It is applied in exactly the same way with the exception of two nuances.

1. Firstly, for the second layer a composition of a different color is used (or with a difference of one tone in one direction or another).
2. Secondly, it needs to be “hardened”, i.e. give a mirror shine.

This is done quite simply - by applying one and a half to two square meters second layer, we go back and, using the same trowel, pressing it firmly against the dried surface and placing it almost flat, we draw it along the wall several times. You will see how with every movement the wall begins to acquire a mirror shine. This process of “ironization” is carried out on the last layer of Venetian plaster - the fact is that to achieve different effects, from two to five layers can be applied to the wall surface. In this case, compositions can be used different colors. Having applied two almost identical-color solutions, the third one can be used completely different, for example, golden or silver - this will only add depth to the color.

Venetian plaster application technology

Stage Three: Waxing and Polishing

Before proceeding to the final stage, the technology for applying Venetian plaster requires the wall surface to completely dry - you will have to wait from 24 to 48 hours, depending on the time of year and the temperature in the room. This stage is the simplest. The wax is applied to the surface of the Venetian in a very thin layer using the same trowel (a thick layer of wax leads to the formation of stains). The wax coating of the Venetian must also dry thoroughly; 6-12 hours is quite enough for this. After this time, you can start polishing - no special equipment is required for this. The entire operation is performed using a suede cloth - the polishing process is more like rubbing the surface and is performed in a circular motion.

Technique for applying Venetian plaster photo

That’s basically all, now judge for yourself how difficult this process is for you. Well, in conclusion, I would like to say a few words about how Venetian plaster with a cracking effect is made. Here, almost everything is the same, only the first base layer is applied up to 2 mm thick and dried artificially using a hair dryer - the size of the cracks and their depth directly depend on the thickness of the Venetian layer and the intensity of heating of the surface. Using these factors, cracks can be controlled and the desired pattern can be created. The cracks are filled with a second layer of Venetian of a different color, and after the third layer, as in the previous case, the surface is given gloss.

In general, applying Venetian plaster can be described as more time consuming than difficult. You can't do this without good practice, so you'll have to practice a little.

Construction work are completed with finishing. When it comes to the interior, everything is important - every nuance (even a small touch), every phase of finishing work. And the most crucial stage is finishing coat. They can ruin all previous work or make it perfect. The stage responsible for the overall result is waxing; in particular, wax becomes a protection for decorative plaster. A mirror-shiny or softly reflective coating looks great and can decorate and elevate the interior. There are special types wax, which gives decorative plaster a special depth or silkiness to the surface of the walls.

What is the material

Beeswax is originally a natural substance for which humanity has found many areas and methods of application. It smells good, does not allow moisture to pass through and can add shine to the surface. It is used in finishing works as a coating for decorative plaster.

In fact, everything is not as simple as it might seem. Wax for plaster should not be separate from it and simply lie on it, repeating its shape. It is applied to emphasize the texture, impart, tint or decorate the surface with various patterns. He must become protective film plaster composition, and after its application no changes will be made. Therefore, you need to approach the choice of wax materials with special responsibility.

Types of wax

Wax selection requires special attention. It is based on the quality of the plaster surface: whether the decorative plaster is porous, or whether it has a dense texture. In the first case, you will need liquid wax, in the second - a gel wax mass. In addition to consistency, there is another parameter by which wax compositions differ - product origin:

• natural (more precisely, a composition containing a natural bee product),
• synthetic (may contain polymers and stearin).

In fact, both materials are solutions in water or another solvent. The natural composition gives the coating a beautiful mirror shine. Synthetic - the material is more durable and has better protective properties, but the shine of the coating is muted, semi-matte.

Wax compositions are:

• transparent (colorless),
• colored.

The peculiarity of colored wax is that it can achieve different degrees of toning from translucent to very rich. You can buy the material already tinted, or you can paint it the desired color yourself.

Coloring in bulk (tinting)

Transparent wax material, when applied to decorative plasters, has its own area of ​​application. For example, it is usually done for protection. Therefore, tinted wax is not required for Venetian plaster.

It is worth paying attention - according to technology, Venetian plaster is coated with wax, not varnish!!!

Sometimes, if the walls are yellow or to give the effect of “palace gilding,” you can use a golden composition for the Venetian. Very often, yellow, also called “golden”, wax for walls is used in the interior. To make the finish more similar to natural stone(onyx, malachite, etc.), decorative wax is used to obtain the effect of antiquity. It can be obtained by adding universal pigment pastes and glitters.

Computer or manual tinting possible transparent material. You can add a little gold, bronze or silver powder to it. The volume of glitter added is determined at will, but cannot be more than 15% of the weight of the wax material. After the wax film has cured, a metallic sheen will appear on the walls.

To obtain an aging effect, tinted bitumen wax is used. To do this, melt in a water bath natural composition (With made according to the recipe given below) add bitumen varnish. This homemade composition can also be used to highlight cracks in craquelure.

How to make wax for decorative plaster yourself

Natural bee product is expensive and very dense. In his natural form it is not very suitable for application to decorative coatings. You can make it out of it wax composition creamy consistency, which is suitable for finishing.

Recipe 1 – soap-based wax

Kiev resident Oleg Antonov, during his rich practice of decorative finishing works, created many recipes for inexpensive, but quality materials. It offers an artificial composition for coating decorative plasters, replacing a natural product.

You need to take:

• 150 g (piece) of toilet soap,
• 2 tsp (with a small pile) baking soda,
• 7 l. boiling water.

Subsequence:

1. Grind the soap (a grater with large holes is suitable).
2. Pour boiling water over the chips. Bring until completely dissolved.
3. Add dissolved in hot water soda
4. Mix the mixture with a whisk.
5. Leave to cool for 20 minutes.
6. Check if the resulting product is stretchy. If the paste stretches and is sticky to the touch, you need to add a little more soda solution. To do this, the paste is heated in a water bath until it liquefies.

Recipe 2 – based on natural wax

To do this take:

• 2 parts natural substance (you can use paraffin),
• 1 part "oil of turpentine" (refined turpentine),
• 1 part flax oil,
• candle dyes or any other fat-soluble dyes.

The wax is crushed, placed in a clean container on water bath. The melted substance is mixed into a homogeneous mass with the remaining components. After cooling, you can use it in the same way as purchased material.

Recipe 3 – based on wallpaper glue

Wallpaper adhesive (non-woven) is a universal material. It can be used to make various building materials: plaster composition, putty and... wax for decorative plaster, and, moreover, with your own hands, therefore, inexpensively.

Recipe offered by Roman Odarchenko. Components liquid composition:

• 2 parts glue,
• Part of any acrylic varnish,
• ½ part decorative paint(gold, mother-of-pearl, etc.).

1. the glue is diluted according to the instructions (available on the package);
2. insist for half an hour;
3. add paint and varnish to the adhesive solution;
4. stir.

Getting rid of lumps is easy: strain the mixture through gauze or a nylon stocking.

Application and polishing

Before applying the wax film, decorative plaster needs to be dried. It takes three days for it to dry well. The minimum time is a day. This time is enough to notice and correct flaws in the plaster coating. After waxing, this will not be possible. When waxing, the room temperature should be above +5°C.

If the wax composition is too dense, it can be diluted with water. To do this, the substance is placed in a warm place (possibly next to a battery) or heated in a water bath. Very warm water You can add no more than 3% of the weight of the composition. After mixing thoroughly, the mixture is allowed to brew for about a week before use.

The surface must be clean and dust-free. It is advisable to remove the dust with a vacuum cleaner, since the film needs protection from dust for another three days. Before applying the final wax layer, you can prime the plaster with a solution of Alpa Design wax (colorless) - 1 part product, 4 parts water. This primer also needs to dry.

A rubber spatula is suitable for applying thick material to shallow surfaces. For the liquid composition, sponges, rollers, pieces of fabric, and brushes are used.

The wax composition is applied so much that it fills all the recesses and rises slightly above the surface textured plaster. The consumption of wax materials depends on the texture of the plaster layer, its porosity, and the number of layers applied. For waxing 1m2 of Venetian, it can range from 50 to 80 g.

Wax should be applied to the wall without interruption, so that areas of different color intensity do not form. Therefore, it is better to work together with a large coverage area. A beginner needs to work in sections and try to apply the product better at once, removing excess in time.

The applied composition is rubbed over the surface with a damp sponge. Then rub it in soft cloth into the plaster until shiny. The plaster layer absorbs as much wax composition as it can accept. Excess must be removed. To avoid visible butt transitions, they try to remove excess material immediately.

Much in the technique of applying the substance depends on the technique of creating the plaster coating itself. For example, cracks and depressions intended to be filled with tinted wax do not need to be cleared of excess wax.

Immediately after application, you can rub the mixture over the surface of the plaster with a damp sponge, then on the protrusions the color will be light whitish, and in the recesses and craquelures it will be deeper and more saturated. The relief will be even more clearly visible.

Often, to give additional shine, the wax is sanded with a machine with a special attachment (grinding wheel).

Drying time for the wax film is 13 hours. The wall can be touched after 6 hours. Complete drying takes about a week.

Bug fixes

Sometimes mistakes are made when performing any work.

When waxing, there can be two options when an error is noticed:

• the applied layer has not hardened,
• the layer has time to harden (usually 5-7 hours from the moment of application).

In the first case, the error can be corrected relatively easily. For example, if you notice that the layer of wax coating is applied unevenly, then with a clean cloth moistened with water (if the composition is natural) or solvent (in the case of a synthetic substance) you can remove the excess, and where the wax material is missing, you can add it.

If the wax layer has managed to harden, then you can try to heat the problem area with a hairdryer and wet the cloth hot water and try to wipe off the excess. Another way is to use a solvent.

If the layer of wax somewhere is not shiny enough, you can try to bring it to a shine with a sander with a fur disc. After the wax layer has hardened, it is difficult to correct the error so that it is unnoticeable.

How to wash off and remove the wax layer

The thick wax layer that has not had time to harden is washed off with hot water or a solvent. Pieces of fabric are used for this. You can use white spirit to wash off - a solvent designed to remove wooden surfaces primer compositions.

Before using any of the suggested methods, practice in a corner of the wall or any other inconspicuous place. Only after making sure that the main finish will not be damaged, start working with large volumes.

You can remove the dried wax film from a smooth coating/Venetian by sanding with fine-grained sandpaper. Use a sander with sandpaper or a sanding sponge, which is used to evenly sand off the film from the entire wall. Then the dust is removed. The surface of the Venetian is covered with a thin layer of plaster, which has a color close to the previous coating. The layer immediately becomes shiny. Dry and wax again.

Waxing requires certain skills that are quickly acquired during work. All worries, labors and worries are redeemed by the amazing quality of the coatings, the colors of which do not fade over the years, and the shine gives the house a festive and luxurious feel.