It is quite understandable that many owners of private houses want to give their home a completely unique look. They come to the aid of relief plasters, which are made from mortars on various bases and are applied to the surface of the walls either with special tools, or with improvised, sometimes completely unexpected objects, depending on what effect is planned to be obtained.
Do-it-yourself decorative plaster of walls is great way stand out from the general background. Before deciding on the choice of the desired pattern and the technique for its reproduction, it is necessary to consider various finishing options. After the desired relief has been determined, it is advisable to conduct a practical lesson and plaster it in accordance with the plan.
Some techniques for working with decorative plaster can be called art, since three-dimensional paintings with various stories, which can become an exclusive decoration for the wall of an apartment or a country mansion. Experienced craftsmen, using them, create from ordinary plaster mass real works that set the style for the entire design of a room or facade.
Decorative plaster - what is it?
For a long time, decorative plaster has been used to decorate walls, and with changes in interior styles, its plot patterns and relief changed, becoming more complex or, conversely, simplifying for the sake of fashion. It has not lost its relevance to this day - in our time, with the help of a similar technology, finishing of both the facade parts of buildings and the interior walls of the room is carried out.
Most often, a plaster coating is used, which, in addition to being decorative, also performs a protective function, preventing moisture and dust from penetrating the main wall.
For interior walls, finishing with a uniform pattern or a relief plot panel can be used. By choosing a relief in the form of a painting to decorate your home, you can be sure that it will be guaranteed to be original, since it is almost impossible to depict the same pattern twice in exactly the same way using this technique.
Reliefs applied to the wall are usually covered with one or more shades of color, which give them a deeper dimension. If desired, when you get tired of the original color of the decorative plaster, you can easily change it to another. Moreover, this process can be carried out both on a uniform coating and on a panel. Paint is applied to relief panels with a brush and sponge, and on a uniform surface using a spray gun or roller.
Decorative plaster can have a deep relief, which is called bas-relief - it protrudes above the wall surface by 8÷15 mm, or it can be almost smooth and stand out only in color. Today at construction stores you can find compositions that are capable of forming a relief surface even when applied with a regular spatula, and for some of them special attachments are used that are installed on rollers. They are able to imitate tree bark, tall grass, layered rocks and many other three-dimensional patterns.
The plaster mixtures used to create the relief are quite plastic. They are easy to apply to a previously prepared wall surface and transform into various designs.
Basics of technology for applying textured plaster
Work on finishing walls with decorative plaster is carried out in stages, in accordance with the requirements of the developed technology. It includes several stages.
- The first step is to determine the design that will decorate the walls, as well as the tools necessary to reproduce it. The relief sample should be in front of your eyes while working so that you can follow its contours. This is especially important if the plot option of the panel is chosen.
- Next, you need to prepare the tools that will be used to mix the plaster composition, apply it to the wall and create a relief pattern.
- When everything is ready, you can move on to preparing the walls. This process is carried out almost identically for both façade and interior walls - it includes cleaning the surfaces of old coatings, rough alignment, and then prime them. It is better to choose a primer composition with antiseptic additives, then the walls will be protected from damage by mold, mildew, moss, etc., as well as from the creation of nests by insects.
- Then a starting leveling layer of plaster is applied to the prepared, well-dried surface - it will become the basis for the textured finishing layer.
- After the starting layer has dried well, the wall surface is recommended, once again, to create higher adhesion between the layers of the plaster composition.
- The next step, again, after the soil has completely dried, is applied finishing textured plaster, from which the relief is formed. In some of the techniques used, the upper part of the applied plaster is leveled into one plane, and textured depressions remain inside, creating a uniform but chaotic relief.
- When reproducing some designs, it is necessary to apply several layers of decorative plaster, and in this case, each of them requires good drying.
- Next, if the color was not added to the plaster mixture, the paint is applied on top of the textured layer. If the surface is given a uniform pattern with indentations, then this process is best carried out using a spray gun. If you plan to paint unevenly, you can use a sponge or brush for tinting. The paint should be applied so that it emphasizes the beauty of the relief of the decorative coating. When tinting a panel, the paint is applied in several stages to create visual perception its depths.
When performing work, you should strictly follow the step-by-step instructions. Making any changes to the relief manufacturing technology can have a bad effect on the design result. Therefore, there is no need to rush - you need to thoroughly dry each of the layers, observing their order. It is better to immediately prepare for the fact that it will take more than one day to create a high-quality relief wall covering.
Now that we know general principles decorating a wall by applying decorative relief plaster to it, it makes sense to consider the tools that can be used for these technological operations.
decorative plaster
Tools for working with relief plaster
When decorating a wall with decorative plaster and using it to form a relief pattern, use the following tools:
- For kneading plaster mortar You will need a drill and a mixer attachment. With their help you can easily and quickly, without special effort make the mixture plastic and homogeneous.
- Spatulas of various sizes - these tools can be called the main ones when working with any plaster, since you cannot do without them when applying any of the finishing layers.
- or a trowel are also quite often used to cover surfaces with plaster solutions.
- A special glove that is used both for creating relief and for coloring it.
- A brush with hard or soft bristles, plastic film, rubber gloves, a sponge or plastic mesh for dish washing.
- Using a roller and rubber attachments can be called the most popular way to make a wall in relief. The variety of these devices allows you to choose one of the many textured patterns offered by the manufacturer.
In addition, using this technique, the work goes faster, and the print on the wall turns out neat and aesthetic, however, such reliefs cannot be called exclusive. The attachments on the rollers can have patterns of plant patterns, waves, various curls, geometric shapes and others.
Reliefs that imitate the texture of leather or tree bark, as well as others, look especially impressive. natural materials.
Nozzles can create a textured pattern located vertically or horizontally, chaotically or perfectly correctly - this factor will depend on the preference of the owner of the home being finished.
Textured plaster expands the possibilities of transforming walls, and the presence of a variety of tools opens up scope for creating numerous designs. It should be noted that craftsmen who are professionally involved in this art, when making reliefs, often use completely unexpected tools and household items, for example, wood cutters, manicure spatulas, or even ordinary teaspoons.
Materials for decorative plaster
In addition to properly selected tools, it is necessary to choose the optimal plaster composition. The assortment is quite wide, since many well-known manufacturing companies offer special ones that allow you to easily transform the facades and premises of houses.
Starting plaster
Except decorative mixture, you need to purchase starting plaster, with which you can level the surface of the wall, preparing it for relief design. For this purpose, it is better to purchase formulations made on the same basis as finishing, then we can say with confidence that good adhesion will be created between the base and the outer plaster layer. So, for the starting, leveling layer, the following are suitable:
- Starting plaster on a gypsum basis. Distinctive feature This mixture has a short time before setting, so you need to work with it very quickly. If you have no experience in leveling walls, then it is better to choose a mixture that will provide the opportunity for longer work.
- For example, a solution on cement based Perfect for both experienced craftsmen and beginners. You can buy it ready-made, or make it yourself from cement and well-sifted sand, taken in a ratio of 1:3. To make the homemade mixture more flexible, PVA glue or liquid soap is often added to it. Thanks to these components, the solution will become softer and at the same time “sticky” to the walls, and will be easy to work with.
- Sometimes clay is used for the starting layer, which can also be purchased at a hardware store in already prepared form. Most often, clay mortar is used for plastering a wooden surface, but recently craftsmen still prefer to work with more modern materials. Although clay has numerous positive qualities, such as elasticity, good adhesion to the surface, environmental friendliness, and in addition, it is a “breathable” material.
Decorative plaster compositions
For decorative finishing, special plaster compositions are used, which are also manufactured at different bases. They are intended for a variety of relief patterns, so some of them are equipped with various additives. On the packaging, the manufacturer indicates the name of the relief for which this mixture is intended, since solid crumbs from different materials can be used as additives, having large and fine fractions and giving different finishing effects.
The table below shows some types of decorative plaster, which are most often used to decorate the façade of a house and interior walls.
| Appearance of packaging | A relief pattern created on the wall | The basis of decorative plaster | Additive fraction size, mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral "Ceresit CT 35" | "Bark beetle" 2.5÷3.5 |
||
| Mineral "Ceresit CT 137" | "Pebble" 1.0÷2.5 |
||
| Polymer "Ceresit CT 77" | Mosaic 0.8÷2.0 |
||
| Acrylic "Ceresit CT 60, ST 63, ST 64" | "Pebble" 1.5÷2.5; "bark beetle" 2.0÷3.0 |
||
| Silicate-silicone "Ceresit CT 175" | "Pebble" 1.5÷2.0; "bark beetle" 2,0 |
||
| Silicate "Ceresit CT 73" | "Pebble" 1.5÷2.5; "bark beetle" 2,0 |
||
| Textured acrylic "Capital" | "Quartz coat" | ||
| White cement based "Master" | "Lamb" 2,0 |
||
| Acrylic "Optimist-Elite" | "Venetian plaster" white thick homogeneous paste |
As you can see from the table presented, plaster mixtures are produced in a dry and pasty state. Ready-made pastes, diluted to the desired consistency, will usually cost slightly more than dry mixtures, but they are much easier to use, since you do not have to calculate the proportions when mixing.
Ready-to-use plasters can be used immediately after the primer has dried on the prepared wall. Upon completion of the work, the remainder of the mixture is closed in a packaging bucket, and during the next stage, the paste can be reused, since it can be stored for quite a long time in a closed state.
If you want to create your own plaster, you can use the recipes given in the table below as a basis:
| Components of the solution | Appearance and color of plaster | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White marble effect | Yellow marble | Under red granite | Under gray granite | |
| Quantity in parts by volume | ||||
| Portland cement M400 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lime dough | 0.5 | 0.25 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Marble flour | 0.5 | 0.25 | - | - |
| Marble chips | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mica (based on cement volume) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Pigment in % by weight of cement | - | Ocher 3÷5 | Iron minium 5÷10 | Manganese peroxide 1÷5 |
Primers
Wall priming products used at the preparatory stage are sold in paste and liquid consistency.
plaster
- To treat the wall before applying the starting layer, it is recommended to use liquid compounds deep penetration, including antiseptic additives.
- After the starting plaster has dried, it should also be primed, thereby creating good foundation for the finishing decorative layer. For this process, it is best to use a primer that has a thicker, closer to paste-like consistency.
Each layer applied to the wall must be completely dried, and only after that the next one can be applied. Otherwise, the plaster may begin to crack or peel off the surface.
Coloring compositions for decorative plaster
They can be tinted, or they can be painted before starting work. Sometimes the color is added to the plaster by the manufacturer; in other cases, color additives are purchased separately and are also added to the paste or dry mixture before mixing or applying it.
Another option for giving finished decorative plaster the desired color is to paint it using a spray gun, roller or brush. In this case, a composition of white or gray, and then, after it dries, it is given a uniform or voluminous coloring.
To paint textured plaster applied to the wall, water-based paints are used - emulsion and water-dispersion. Such paints are produced in various colors, but if you wish, you can give them a shade yourself by purchasing separately a white “base” and the color you like. They are mixed immediately before being applied to the wall, and in this case you can achieve a darker or, conversely, lighter shade, which will help give volume and depth to the pattern on the wall.
Varnish for decorative plaster
For textured plasters that have shallow relief or a relatively smooth surface structure, a varnish or wax protective decorative coating is usually used.
Varnishes can be matte or glossy, and can significantly enrich the color of the wall decoration. Thanks to even one layer of varnish, the plaster will retain its original appearance much longer.
In some cases, to achieve the desired effect, it is better to apply the varnish to the wall surface in several layers. For example, if an imitation of polished stone or crocodile skin is reproduced on the wall.
Wax is most often used as protective agent for Venetian plaster, which can acquire a matte or even mirror shine after application. The wax is odorless and environmentally friendly pure material. It is able to protect the wall covering from dust and yellowing, and in addition, it creates a water-repellent layer, and at the same time has good vapor permeability, that is, the walls do not lose the ability to “breathe”. Due to similar qualities, wax coating can be used in living rooms and in rooms with high humidity.
The wax is produced in a colorless version and preserves the color of decorative plaster in its original state. In addition, it can be tinted with metal pigments or pearlescent additives. For example, CERA wax, shown in the illustration, is produced in three color options- this is colorless, silver and gold, which allows you to enrich the decorative finish with a pleasant soft sheen.
Masking tape
In some finishing works it is impossible to do without the use of masking tape. It is used to protect adjacent surfaces when working on one of them, as well as in cases where it is necessary to separate different textured or color patterns from each other. The tape easily sticks to any surface and is removed without leaving marks. It has a low price, so in any case, stocking up on all the materials necessary for finishing, it is worth purchasing as an auxiliary tool.
When purchasing any finishing materials, it is very important to pay attention to the manufacturer’s specifications, which are located on the packaging, about what kind of work they are intended for, internal or external. Many compositions for external use are well suited for finishing the walls of premises, but materials for internal use, when applied to the facade, unfortunately, will not last long.
Versailles plaster
Preparing wall surfaces
Now, having figured out how to choose a material and what tools you will need for the job, you can move on to considering the process of preparing walls for applying plaster solutions.
Preliminary preparation of wall surfaces
To get a high-quality result, it is very important to thoroughly clean the wall of old coatings, and similar actions are performed as if external walls, and on internal ones. It is necessary to remove old wallpaper, paint or whitewash from them, otherwise the starting layer of plaster will have insufficient adhesion to the surface.
The main activities for preparing wall surfaces are shown in the table below:
| Illustration | |
|---|---|
 | Removing the old layer of plaster from the walls. This process is especially important to carry out very carefully if the old decorative coating begins to peel off from the main surface. If you need to remove a thin layer of plaster, then for this purpose you can use a grinding machine or a construction float with coarse sandpaper installed on it. |
 | If the walls are covered with wallpaper, the old wallpaper must also be removed. Usually pasted old wallpaper is moistened with a spray bottle, and this process is carried out several times, since the canvases should get wet all the way to the wall. After this, the finishing material is removed using a spatula. |
 | Another option for cleaning walls from wallpaper is steaming. For this purpose, a special tool is used or steam iron, and in addition, an air humidifier can be used, which is directed towards the wall that needs to be cleared of wallpaper. |
 | If the wall is painted, then the paint layer must also be cleaned off, otherwise the plaster layer simply will not lie on the wall. Paint is removed using a scraper, softening the old paint with a hot stream from a hair dryer. You can also use the abrasive method, using a grinder with an iron brush or an electric drill with an abrasive attachment. |
 | After the old decorative coating is removed from the wall surfaces, a leveling plaster layer or simply the solid concrete base itself will be exposed. Quite often there are depressions and irregularities in concrete that will have to be leveled by applying a putty layer. |
 | If you find plaster of good quality that does not separate from the main wall, then it does not need to be cleaned off. In this case, notches with a depth of 5–7 mm are made on the surface of the wall using an ax or chisel. They will be necessary to ensure better adhesion of the leveling starting layer to the wall. However, they often do without them, using modern “concrete contact” type primers, which provide excellent adhesion of the applied plaster compositions. |
 | However, quite often the situation is such that the old plaster has to be removed completely, since it crumbles and does not adhere securely to the surface. This flaw can be revealed when applying notches, since when tapping in some areas of the wall, the plaster layer can “bounce” or even simply fall off. If a layer separates over a large section of the wall, then it is best to remove the old coating completely - the process, as they say, has already begun, and no one can guarantee that the remaining areas will remain stable. |
 | Once the old plaster layer is removed, serious damage in the form of deep cracks may be found on the wall. They must be sealed, otherwise they will eventually appear on new plaster layers and the work will be ruined. |
 | Detected cracks are expanded, that is, they are made wider and deeper. They are then cleaned and treated with a deep penetration primer. They are filled with a plastic repair compound. Special repair solutions are available for sale, but for interior work you can also use regular starting putty. The repair solution must fill the entire volume of the cut crack, to the full depth or width. If a wide crack is found, it can be filled with polyurethane foam with a slight expansion. Its excess, which protrudes outward after the material hardens, is trimmed flush with the wall. In some cases, to strengthen the crack and to avoid its manifestation through new finishing layers, a reinforcing sickle mesh is glued on top of it onto the putty solution. |
 | After the repair “patches” on the cracks have dried, they must be cleaned with a construction trowel with a float installed on it first abrasive mesh and then sandpaper. |
 | The next step is to coat the wall with a deep penetration antiseptic primer. If the first layer of primer is absorbed into the wall surface without a trace, then one or even two more layers of primer are applied. The primer composition will penetrate the pores of the plaster or wall material, strengthen its surfaces and create good conditions for adhesion of materials. The solution can be applied with a roller or a wide brush. Each subsequent layer is applied only after the previous one has completely dried. |
Plaster work can be done on a primed and dried wall.
Applying a base leveling layer of plaster
Next important stage- these are plastering works that finally prepare the surface for further application of decorative plaster. Alignment is carried out on a primed and well-dried wall.
Methods for plastering surfaces may vary slightly, depending on the wall material and surface quality. But general technology still general, and more details about it are in the table below:
| illustration | Brief description of the operation performed |
|---|---|
 | If, when checking a wall using a building level, it is discovered that it requires major leveling, then the first step is to place beacons made of special metal profiles on the surface. They are fixed on the wall in increments of 1000÷1200 mm, controlled vertically and horizontally using a building level and a long rule. These profiles are secured using cement mortar with the addition of gypsum or only gypsum mixture, since this material sets quickly and will not delay subsequent work. Between the slides of the solution on which the beacon profiles are attached, a distance of about 400÷500 mm is maintained. |
 | Having set the beacons, you can proceed to mixing the plaster solution. It must be homogeneous, without hard inclusions, otherwise it will be problematic to level it to perfection, since voids may form near large hard fractions, which will weaken the coating. Before applying the solution, the wall can be slightly moistened by spraying it with a spray bottle or brush. The next step is to throw a thick layer of plastic mortar onto the surface, which should be 30–50 mm higher than the beacons. Excess mortar will be removed as a rule when leveling the plaster. |
 | Next, the wet solution applied to the wall is leveled by a rule moved along the beacon guides. Work begins from the bottom of the wall - usually, slowly, it rises up, while it is slightly moved from side to side for better distribution of the solution in the space between the beacons. At the same time, excess plaster mixture is usually collected, which can later be used for application to adjacent sections of the wall. |
 | After plastering the surface, it should be left for 2-3 days to set. In this case, it is recommended to periodically spray the wall with water to obtain greater strength of the applied layer. Next, the still wet plaster is rubbed down, pouring cement laitance onto it. This work is carried out using a plaster trowel or grout, which is lightly pressed against the wall and the surface is rubbed in a counterclockwise circular motion, making it even. The rubbed surface is left until completely dry, which depends on the thickness of the layer and can take from 5 to 15 days. |
 | The dried plastered wall should be well primed using a paste-like thick primer, which is applied with a roller. Hard-to-reach areas of the wall are treated with a narrow brush. A water-based primer dries quite quickly, so very often after 2–3 hours it becomes possible to move on to next stage works |
 | If we are talking about interior work, then in order for the result of finishing the wall to be of high quality, it is recommended to apply a thin, 1.5÷2.0 mm, layer of gypsum-based plaster onto the leveling plaster layer. It will make the surface smooth, correcting all the shortcomings of the base layer. The plaster is applied with a metal trowel or a wide spatula, making semicircular movements. It must be remembered that the gypsum mixture quickly sets and hardens, so you cannot mix a large amount of the solution, since it will no longer be possible to “revive” it by adding water. It should be noted that as this starting layer for decorative plaster, you can use a ready-made cement-based mixture, or one of the common putty compositions. After this layer has dried, it must be primed. |
Decorative plaster - application and coloring
When all the leveling layers have dried and the wall is completely prepared, you can proceed to the final stage of work - applying a decorative plaster layer.
Several popular methods of applying relief
This is perhaps the most interesting creative process, upon completion of which the wall will take on a completely new look. For this stage, a decorative paste-like plaster mass or a dry mixture is used, which is mixed independently, in the same way as the base solution, that is, using a mixer mounted on an electric drill.
In any case, the mass must be plastic and homogeneous, unless, of course, a coating such as “bark beetle” or “lamb” is chosen, which contains additives from stone chips. But even with such a solution, the solid fractions should be distributed completely evenly in the plastic mass.
| Illustration | Brief description of the operation performed |
|---|---|
 | Venetian plaster can have a different relief pattern, but it is always shallow and chaotic. However, sometimes it is the background for clear geometric or floral designs. Decorative plaster is applied using a metal or rubber spatula in thin layers, the number of which can be from 5 to 8. Despite such a considerable number of layers, the total thickness of the plaster made using this technique is only 3÷4 mm. |
 | To reproduce Venetian plaster, an already tinted composition is most often used, otherwise it will be necessary to paint it after its application and drying is complete, and in this case part of the intended effect will be lost. The desired effect of a “silk” surface is achieved by the presence of several layers of the same color, and each of them is applied and rubbed in different directions. Thanks to this technique, strokes that differ in direction give different reflections of the light falling on the wall. Thus, the surface has a silky sheen. In some cases, in order to create the effect of a deeper spatial volume, translucent from the inside, several color shades close to each other are taken. |
 | Each of the layers of plaster composition applied with strokes is smoothed, but this process is carried out by tangential movements with the application of certain forces. For each of the layers professional craftsmen they use spatulas and trowels of varying thickness and width, creating a multi-layered chaotic relief pattern from the solution. Using this plastering technique, you can imitate the pattern structure of various finishing stones on the wall. To enhance the imitation effect, after completing the plaster application, after waiting for it to dry, the surface is polished with wax or coated with matte varnish. |
 | A more accessible option for non-professionals is relief plaster. The composition is applied using a regular spatula in one or several layers, each of which must be dried. The relief of each layer can be smoothed, or its protruding fragments can be left in their original form. Smoothing of the solution is carried out using a metal trowel, with gentle touches. Using this technique, you can create various reliefs, and their shape and direction will depend on the creative mood of the master. |
 | If you intend to create a relief that has regular smooth shapes and lines, you can use a notched trowel (trowel), usually used to apply glue when finishing surfaces with ceramic tiles, or a special comb to reproduce it. |
 | This type of relief pattern will not be difficult to reproduce for a craftsman who has picked up a plastering tool for the first time. The first step is to apply a layer of plaster mortar to the wall using a regular wide spatula, and it is not necessary that it be perfectly even. Then a relief is displayed on it in the form of semicircles, checkerboard lines or other patterns that you can come up with yourself. |
 | Another version of the relief that can be reproduced by any creative person is a print from an ordinary plastic film on wet plaster applied to the wall. In this case, your imagination also doesn’t have to be limited, since the film can be used unfolded or rolled into a roller, or simply crumpled up randomly. In addition, you can come up with own version use of this material, since, achieving the desired pattern, you can safely experiment with the solution and film. |
 | When removing the film after it has been pressed against the wet plaster, it will inevitably pull the solution along with it, and as a result, peculiar relief protrusions are formed, which can be smoothed out with a spatula or trowel. Using this method of creating decorative plaster, you can use a tinted solution, or paint it after the wall has dried after applying the relief. |
 | Quite popular for decorating both internal and external surfaces of walls is such a textured pattern as “bark beetle”. For this, a special plaster composition is used, which includes hard stone fractions measuring 1.5÷3 mm. This solution is applied using a metal trowel, and it can be distributed on the surface in different directions, depending on what kind of relief is intended to be obtained. When applying plaster, hard fractions leave behind furrows that imitate damage to the surface by insects. These recessed stripes can be located vertically, horizontally, diagonally, in the form of a semicircle or entire circles - the direction of the relief pattern will depend on the preference of the master and the intended design. |
 | A frequently used tool for applying relief is a roller, which leaves a textured pattern on the wall surface. This method of recreating volume can be used by any homeowner, even those who have never done plastering work before. It is enough to purchase a roller with the relief you like on its rubber nozzle and leave an imprint on the fresh solution applied to the wall. The choice of attachments is so large that they can be selected to suit any, even the most sophisticated taste. If desired, you can make a roller attachment yourself, using pieces of foam rubber, twisted coarse rope, plastic film, fur, fabric with deep relief or other materials that can leave the necessary impression on wet plaster. |
 | If you plan to create the correct plant pattern, in the form of grass and leaves of different shapes and sizes, then a roller with such a pattern will have to be purchased ready-made. Work on decorating walls using this technique goes quite quickly, since there will be no failures in the process - the plaster mixture is applied and distributed to the surface with a spatula, and while it remains wet, a roller is passed over it, which will leave the selected pattern on the surface. |
 | And this is a completely simple method that does not require special expenses for purchasing a tool for reproducing the relief. For the finishing process, a regular flat brush with soft or hard bristles is used, depending on how clear the pattern is planned to be obtained. The relief is recreated using the same principle as when using a spatula with a notched comb - using fresh plaster applied to the wall. |
 | Another technique of decorative plaster, not performed over the entire surface of the wall, but only in certain areas. The background for it can be one of the above-described types of shallow relief. The panels are usually made from gypsum plaster mortar. The composition is applied in slides to the marked area of the wall according to the pattern and left to dry. After drying, cutting tools are used - this can be a knife, cutters of various shapes and a spatula - with their help, the desired shapes are created. In addition to the cutters, you will need sandpaper with fine and medium grains, which will be used to smooth out the cut out elements of the three-dimensional pattern. In order not to spoil the wall, it is recommended to experiment by creating a small panel or its individual parts on plywood sheet. Only after making sure that everything works out can you proceed to reproducing the intended relief design on the wall. |
In addition to those listed above, there are other objects that can be used to create relief designs on the surface of the wall. For this purpose, not only professional tools are widely used, but also improvised devices or even fragments of plants, for example, tree leaves or branches of various thicknesses.
Painting decorative plaster
As mentioned above, you can buy colored decorative plaster in construction stores, but working with it is much more difficult, since it is necessary to reproduce all the complex ones with one color. Therefore, most often a white plaster mixture is chosen, which, after final drying, is covered with the selected shades, which significantly expands creative possibilities home handyman.
In addition to applying color to a finished relief wall, there is another technique for creating a colored surface. In this option, before applying it, a certain color is added to the white plaster, and then a relief on the wall is made from material of different shades. This is a rather complex technique, and a professional artist or a person with the appropriate talent can handle it. Therefore, the best option remains to paint the finished relief.
Usually, for painting decorative plaster, water-based paints are used, to which is added desired color. When choosing a color, it is recommended to make it one or two shades darker, since when the paint dries, it will lighten.
| Illustration | Brief description of the operation performed |
|---|---|
 | The most used technique when giving relief plaster a color is to cover it with a light tone of the selected shade. This coloring will become unifying for the entire composition. The paint is applied to the entire surface using a roller, after squeezing it on the ribbed surface of the paint tray. If the relief has a depth of more than 5 mm, then a long-haired roller is used to tint it, or especially deep fragments are tinted with a soft brush. |
 | The first paint layer is applied in one go, otherwise the coloring will turn out uneven. Therefore, if the paint is tinted yourself, you need to mix it enough so that it is enough for the first layer for all the walls in the room, or at least for one wall, but always for its entire area. This is especially important if the surfaces will be painted with one color without additional shades or stains. Coloring is carried out in different ways, depending on the depth of the relief and the desired final result. |
 | One of the options for uneven coloring is done using a sponge. Then they walk over the still damp painted surface with a soft cloth or a dry sponge, barely touching the protruding elements of the relief. This execution technique is aimed at enhancing the “depth of space” of the relief not only with the help of volume, but also with the use of color play. |
 | This method of finishing decoration consists of two stages - painting and cleaning the protruding relief elements with sandpaper. The first step is to paint the entire area of the walls with a common color - this process can be carried out using a roller or spray. The second stage is carried out after the paint has completely dried. Fine-grained sandpaper is installed on a construction float, after which the tool is used to go over the protruding parts of the relief. In this way, the paint is removed or lightened from the surface, thereby revealing a three-dimensional pattern. If desired, the cleaned surfaces can be coated with paint that is close in tone to the main color, darker or lighter, depending on the effect you want to achieve. Usually selected light shade, since it visually increases the volume of the relief. |
 | Only an experienced craftsman can make a relief panel, but you can try painting it yourself. However, you need to take into account that this process is quite complicated and time-consuming, since it will have to be done with thin brushes, so the work will take quite a lot of time. It is recommended to cover the finished relief plaster panel with a primer, dry it, and only then begin painting. You should not take pure bright colors, as the relief behind them will not be visible. Therefore, they are diluted to shades of the chosen color or a certain amount is added to white paint. |
 | In this option for painting decorative plaster, two colors are used - one is the main one, and the second is an auxiliary one, which will highlight the relief pattern. The work is carried out in two stages. Firstly, the entire surface is covered with one, primary color. This process can be carried out with a roller, wide brush or spray. Then this layer should be well dried. The second stage consists of applying paint using tangential movements to the protruding parts of the relief using a soft brush, a foam sponge or a mitten worn on the hand. The applied paint should be thick enough and the brush or sponge should be dry. |
Video: an interesting example of painting a wall finished with relief plaster
The final stage of work on decorative plaster is coating the walls with varnish or wax. This process must be carried out carefully, since applying the final layer carelessly can ruin the entire job.
In conclusion, I would like to say that if you have little or no experience in performing decorative plastering, then it is not recommended to choose overly complex design techniques. In the same case, when a specific design is selected and the decision is made to reproduce it on the wall at all costs, you should carefully study the instructions and practice on a small section of the wall or a plywood panel.
Video: demonstration of various techniques for applying and decorating decorative plasters
“Versailles plaster”: a technology accessible to everyone - step by step
In the final section, the design of a wall with the so-called “Versailles plaster” will be considered as an example. In the proposed finishing technology, instead of plaster composition, two types of putty are used - starting and finishing, which allows you to save a decent amount on finishing. In addition, the advantage of this method of original decorative wall decoration is that even a novice master can do it. The main thing is to buy quality material and use it correctly.
In addition to two types of putty, to obtain the desired result, you will need “Quartz-primer” for application to the wall under decorative cladding, which creates increased adhesion between materials and also prevents the putty from drying too quickly. The presence of this material is a prerequisite for decorating a wall using this technology.
In order for the plaster layer to turn out aesthetically pleasing, it is necessary to purchase two more components, without which the desired effect will not be achieved.
This is, firstly, a decorative paint coating of the “Adagio Silver” type - on an acrylic binder, containing small metal particles of various shapes. Gives a very interesting iridescent effect, giving the wall a silky look.
Secondly, so-called glitter is used, consisting of tiny particles of polyester film of various shapes. This component is also added to one of the layers of decorative wall trim.
| Illustration | Brief description of the operation performed |
|---|---|
 | The first step is to mix the model mass, consisting of starting and finishing putty in a 1:1 ratio. Mixing proceeds as follows: Part of the starting putty and part of the finishing putty are poured into a container with water in turn, then the sequence is repeated, and so on until the required amount of dry mixture is poured. If necessary, add a little water to the bucket, and then mix the mass using a mixer attachment. Next, the finished solution is left for 10-12 minutes - this time is necessary for it to “ripen”. After this time, the mass is mixed again until smooth. It should be mixed very well and have a medium-thick consistency, that is, not particularly liquid and not thick. |
 | The finished putty composition is applied to the prepared, leveled, treated with “Quartz-soil” and dried wall surface. If the mixture will be applied not from the ceiling, but below, along a broken line on the wall, then it is recommended to first stick masking tape along it, which will help keep it clean. top part walls and will keep the upper border of the decorative trim smooth. Work starts from the top line. First of all, the putty mixture is distributed along the masking tape. |
 | The applied layer should have a thickness of 2÷3 mm. Particular attention should be paid to filling the joints of the planes, for example, if the putty will be applied from the ceiling line. The mixture is applied to the wall with a trowel in a relatively even layer. This work can also be done with a spatula having a width of 300÷350 mm. It should be noted that in this finishing option you don’t have to try too hard, leveling the solution to perfect smoothness, the main thing is that the layer of material has the same thickness over the entire plane of the wall and is fairly even. The smoother the putty layer, the easier it will be to see flaws in the relief pattern. |
 | An even facing layer is applied to a height of 1000÷1500 mm from the top down the wall. Then a relief pattern is formed on the wet putty. For this, a plastic trowel with a pointed plate in front is used - it is shaped like an iron. Work starts from the corners or the top line of the wall. The master makes wave-like movements, stretching the mass, while simultaneously creating a chaotic pattern in the form of stripes running in different directions. With the help of a trowel, the mass is lifted above the surface, creating a larger volume of decorative coating and leaving behind grooves of different widths, most often located diagonally on the surface. The convenience of creating a relief in this way is that the design applied to the solution can always be corrected if the master does not like it in some way. |
 | Having worked out the first batch of putty, and having reached approximately the middle of the wall in height, the next portion of the solution is prepared. During this time, the mass applied to the wall will have time to set. Therefore, many craftsmen have the problem of combining the plastered area of the wall with the already set mortar and the fresh, just mixed mass, which will be applied below. The joint between the two areas of the wall should be completely invisible. |
 | In order for the combination to take place neatly and become completely unnoticeable, a fresh solution is applied overlapping the already applied layer by 150÷200 mm, and then the overall layer is smoothed out. This process must be carried out along the entire line of combining two zones - upper and lower. |
 | The overlap line needs to be smoothed out well, and then a general relief pattern must be applied to it. |
 | Applying the relief begins from the area where the design has already been applied. It turns out that it is, as it were, “picked up” with a trowel and extended onto an evenly applied unifying putty layer along its entire length. |
 | When combining two zones of the wall, it is important to ensure that there are no deep dents or clearly even stripes from the trowel left on it. Such defects must be smoothed out and these areas given a general relief, since they will be especially noticeable in these areas. When working on a connecting line, it is recommended to step aside and inspect the work area from a distance. This way you can more clearly identify shortcomings and correct them immediately. |
 | Then, the model mass is applied to the entire lower part of the wall in an even layer, and a relief is formed on it in exactly the same way. When the wall is completely covered with this primary layer of putty with the applied relief, it is left to dry completely for two days. |
 | When the wall dries, they go over its surface with a spatula, with which it is necessary to clean the protruding sharp edges of the relief strips, since they should be rounded. |
 | Then, the entire surface is treated with a construction trowel, with sandpaper No. 60 installed on it. Grouting is carried out with slight pressure, in a counterclockwise circular motion. |
 | After processing, you should get a relief surface with smoothed protruding edges of the pattern. An additional check of the surface, that is, its smoothness, can be done by running your palm over it. If untreated areas are found that scratch the palm, then this flaw must be corrected immediately. The treated surface must be thoroughly cleaned of putty dust - this process is carried out using a soft, wide brush or broom. |
 | The next step is to treat the surface with a deep penetration primer. The primer is applied with a roller with a nap attachment. The composition must be well distributed over the wall, collecting all the formed smudges. This layer dries in 1.5÷2 hours. |
 | Next, it is taken White paint water-based, a color of the selected shade is added to it (in this case, the master used beige dye), and the mass is mixed well until smooth. The paint should be applied easily and not be too thick, therefore, if necessary, the solution should be diluted to the desired consistency with water. Relatively liquid composition When applied to the wall, the paint will become translucent, which, in combination with other layers of different shades, will create the illusion of space. |
 | The paint is first applied to the edge of the wall using a brush, and then the main part of the surface is tinted using a nap roller. It distributes the mass well over the relief surface, filling all the recesses of the design with paint, and when rolling out the composition, it collects its excess. As a result, the surface should be neat and evenly painted, free of smudges. After the entire surface is covered with the tinting composition, it is left until completely dry. Water based paint applied thin layer, will dry in about two hours. |
 | Next, a composition made from a regular primer and “silver” - the “Adagio Silver” dye – is applied to the surface using a foam roller. The mixture is prepared in a 1:1 ratio, that is, in this case the master took 250 × 250 grams of these materials. The resulting mixture should have a fairly thick consistency and should not leak at all. The mass is applied to the wall without pressure, so that only the upper protruding elements of the relief are covered. The recesses should not be painted with this composition. |
 | The mixture is carefully rolled out over the entire surface of the wall, highlighting the relief with color. |
 | Next, you will need to prepare a finishing composition that will transform the wall surface beyond recognition. It consists of a water-based varnish and a small amount of glitter. The varnish is diluted with water, in proportions of approximately 1:3, and mixed well. The addition of water is necessary to ensure that a hard, uneven, glossy crust does not form on the surface of the wall after coating it. |
 | A small amount of glitter is added to the varnish, about a tablespoon per 0.5 liter of composition. Then the solution is thoroughly mixed by vigorous shaking. Before you start shaking, the lid of the container with the composition must be tightly closed. |
 | Next, the finished varnish composition is applied to the relief plaster using a foam roller and is well distributed by rolling it over the wall surface. Having completed this stage of work, the finishing can be considered complete. All that remains is to wait for the wall surface to dry, and then remove the masking tape enclosing the wall. |
 | The last illustration shows the result of this rather lengthy work on the design of the wall. But, you must admit, the technology is not so complicated, and the resulting finish looks very original. |
Among all finishing materials, decorative finishing occupies one of the leading places, since application is a fairly simple task, after which you can get a spectacular wall surface.
In its structure, this material is a paste-like mass, which has various ways application to walls or ceilings. It found its application as a basis or as self-finishing. But in order to understand the principles of application, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the advantages and methods of installation, and consider the main methods of applying decorative plaster.
Structural plaster: features
This type has a heterogeneous granular composition, which includes additives in the form of granules or fine-grained pebbles, as well as pieces of quartz. This finish is made on a cement-lime base using a special synthetic latex. It is also diluted with water or organic solvents.
For plastering inside the building the most suitable option are mixtures prepared on a water basis. They do not contain foreign impurities with a smell, which means that when finishing the apartment there is no need to remove all residents from it.
The main advantage of structural plaster is its plasticity, which makes working with it very easy. The work is simplified due to the fact that the solutions are already sold ready-made and no special preparation is required before use. It goes on sale in iron containers or buckets weighing 15-25 kg.
Return to contents
Laying structural decorative plaster
Before starting to apply the mixture, preparatory measures are carried out. It is fundamentally not important to achieve evenness, since the composition allows you to hide small defects. A cleaned and dried surface is required. After cleaning, the working area is strengthened with a primer. It is necessary to create an intermediate layer that performs a protective function and prevents the entry of dampness, thereby protecting the walls and the laid mixture from moisture. The plaster can be applied after the primer layer has completely dried.
The solution must be applied with a trowel or wide spatula. It is laid in one layer, while making circular or straight movements. The ridges protruding from under the spatula form a pattern. The texture of the pattern depends on the installation methods and additives in the mixture. Structural decorative plaster sets and gains strength after 3 hours, and complete hardening occurs in almost a week. After this, the coating must be sanded and the dust must be removed with a damp cloth or sponge. A similar mixture and application method are used for plaster made from mineral, latex or silicate solutions.
This decorative plaster is considered durable, it is not subject to mechanical damage and moisture, has an aesthetic appearance and is made from safe components. In this regard, it is in great demand for finishing both inside and outside.
The texture of the pattern will depend on the size of the grains. To give the walls a sandy effect, grains with a fraction of about 0.3 mm are used, and to create raw stone, grains of 1.5 mm are used. The most popular “bark beetle” is achieved with a grain size of 2.0 mm. When using a fraction of 3 mm, the walls take on the appearance of the bark of a centuries-old tree.
Return to contents
Tinting structural plaster
The initial color of this plaster is white. You can give the coating a variety of shades in several ways:
- Add pigment to ready-made composition, but with this method there is a possibility of not achieving the desired color.
- When purchasing plaster, you can contact a specialist who will carry out professional tinting.
- This type of decorative plaster can be coated with color after the composition has completely dried.
To give the surface different shades, color is applied and rubbed with a rubber sponge, and if there is a desire to create abrasions, then go over it with a damp foam sponge. After the color has dried, the walls are treated with wax.
Return to contents
Textured decorative plaster
Types of decorative plaster: smooth, textured, embossed.
Using a textured finish, you can create a surface with an extraordinary relief texture. If we compare structural and textured plasters, the difference between them is relative, but there is one factor that adds complexity to the design, the components of the composition and the tools used. By performing textured plaster, you can give it a look that imitates wood, crumpled paper, hewn or chopped stone, or natural wood. This coating gives the surface originality and style.
The advantage of such plaster is that you can choose installation methods for any interior and design solutions. This helps give it a finished and harmonious look. The texture mixture includes lime flour. And the special qualities depend on additives consisting of granite or marble chips, as well as various fibers. The basis can be polymer compounds that give the surface a more textured texture and do not crack when drying.
Return to contents
Technological process of application
Unlike other plasters, textured finishing does not require special preparation of the base, since its relief well hides defects on the walls where the material is laid. In this regard, the following preparatory work is being carried out:
- Clean the wall surface from paint and varnish coatings or other remnants of finishing material. If the surface requires this, it must be treated with a solvent to remove oil stains, after which the treated areas must be washed with soapy water.
- Next, the wall structure is covered with a primer.
- If necessary, the cracks are expanded and filled with gypsum or cement mortar.
- Lay the base layer, which is used as an acrylic primer. But it is not applicable for all types of plasters. For certain types of textured composition, other options are sometimes used, for example, deep penetration putty-primer.
Before laying the textured composition, a test is carried out on a small piece of the wall to select the appropriate consistency of the composition. If the composition is prepared according to technology, then it should not be liquid and flow from the surface, but thickness is also not welcome.
To apply the solution and create texture, these will be useful (any application method requires tools):
- set of spatulas;
- metal iron;
- large porous sponge;
- unnecessary solution container;
- bucket with water.
When performing textured finishing, you need the help of a partner: one applies the solution, the other needs to quickly form the decorative texture.
The mixture should be applied using a spatula in a uniform layer, the thickness of which should be about 2-3 mm, and for a coarse-grained composition it should be equal to the cross-section of the grain.
Modern wall design options allow you to create the most realistic imitations of various decorative surfaces, from broken stones to bas-relief images. But the main advantage of decorative plaster is the incredible flexibility in choosing the surface texture with your own hands. In fact, the use of plaster decor made it possible to apply real artistic images and entire paintings to the walls. Just 15 years ago, individual painting of walls with one’s own hands was within the power of artist-designers, and such a pleasure would cost a lot of money.
Using the possibilities of decorative plaster
New decorative materials for wall finishing with plaster can be called more a method of decoration than a means of leveling and protecting masonry walls. Polymer binders, water-soluble paints and various fillers are used as components and bases of plastering materials, which, in fact, determine appearance decorative component of walls.
Among the many approaches to the process of applying decorative plaster, several main directions can be distinguished:
Advice ! If your time and finances do not allow you to apply decorative plaster in all rooms, you can, as an experiment, select the most crooked and inconspicuous plane in an apartment or house and try applying different types of plaster. This will allow you to understand and see with your own eyes the advantages of different techniques before general repairs.
Works with decorative plaster
The first two areas of working with decorative plaster will require you to accurately understand all the nuances of the colors and textures of the walls, so before applying a complex decorative pattern with relief images, it makes sense to first make sketches or select photos of the corresponding design solutions.
The more intricate the design, the more difficult it is to apply it to the walls. For example, without practice, not everyone can perform decorative plaster with a moire effect, as in the video
A decorative composition in the panel style will require good knowledge about the properties of plaster and considerable patience in working with it, but the resulting effect is worth it. The beauty and accuracy of the work can be appreciated in the video
In such cases, it is better to apply the decor by the hands of specialists; it is very difficult to achieve such quality on your own.
Important ! In addition to artistic taste and knowledge of the technological intricacies of working with decorative plaster, you should understand that applying the material to the surface is physically difficult, and the process will require considerable effort and endurance.
In your first experience of using decorative plaster, it is better to choose the simplest version of the design and try to apply it yourself.
The easiest way to apply decorative plaster
One of the most popular options for decorative plaster are lime composite compositions that imitate natural materials. Most often they use plasters that have been proven by practice and many years of use:
- “Venetian composition”, giving the texture of the wall in the form of an incredible number of intertwined relief elements;
- “Marmorino” and “Marseille”, similar to the surface of marble calcite, with a network of inclusions and cracks and polished surface transitions;
- Imitation of the surface of natural limestone using an uneven, deliberately rough and scratched surface, known as “Travertino”.
Important ! All of the above decorative plastering compositions are very easy to apply to the wall with your own hands, obtaining almost 100% surface quality.
Venetian pattern of decorative plaster
The secret of the recipe is to use ordinary ready-made plaster mixtures - starting and finishing - to produce decorative plaster. This reduces the cost by approximately half. The initial plaster mass is prepared by mixing both mixtures in a 50/50 ratio in the amount required to apply the composition to 1-1.5 m2 of surface.
Before applying the composition, the walls are primed with an acrylic primer, and the composition is carefully applied with a spatula and a trowel to a slightly dried surface. The thickness of the layer of decorative plaster is on average from 3 to 6 mm. As you apply the decorative base with a trowel, a relief pattern must be applied to the wet material. The specifics of such work are clearly understood from the video.
Important ! Sometimes there is a problem correct connection two sections of the wall on which a solution of decorative plaster was applied with a gap in time.
Most often this happens due to the need to prepare a new portion of the plaster mass. Therefore, the boundaries of the plots have to be “passed” by the tool several times.
After drying a little, the relief pattern is rolled with a special tool, making the pattern flatter and more expressive. As a finishing operation, which is the “highlight” of Venetian plaster, tinting paint is applied to the surface of the wall with a roller, giving the plaster the color of “old silver.” For this purpose in 250 gr. primers add approximately 50 grams of dye.
After the drawing has dried, it is necessary to apply acrylic lacquer with a small addition of glitter. Decorative plaster takes quite a long time to dry - up to two days; after final drying it acquires a slightly lighter shade.
Travertino, what could be simpler?
This is a plaster composition based on lime and calibrated quartz sand. If it is important for you to combine a beautiful surface texture with the benefits of lime plaster, then the choice is obvious. Among the advantages of the Italian recipe is the possibility of applying plaster even on cement soil of concrete or brickwork, provided that the surface is first cleaned of dirt and deposits and a special primer mixture based on sandy quartz dust is applied.
This primer will allow you to level and hide the “flaws” of the wall and improve adhesion to the decorative layer. On a prepared surface, for example, sheets of plasterboard or plastered walls, decorative plaster can be applied in one layer, but with pre-treatment with an acrylic primer.
The decorative composition is applied with a spatula and a wide trowel, achieving a uniform layer 3-4 mm thick. The plaster pattern must be applied with a roller with a porous surface; the process of forming the surface is well understood from the video
If you like “brick” patterns on the surface of the walls, with the help of Travertino you can get a brickwork pattern. To do this, strips of construction tape are glued onto the previously prepared wall surface, imitating the seams between brick blocks. Next, you need to apply plaster and separate the strips from the main layer, thereby creating a texture that imitates silicate or ceramic brick.
Conclusion
Simple compositions of decorative plasters do not mean that they are primitive in beauty or design. Most often, such options are used to apply a base for hand painting, painting or applying bas-reliefs from putty.
Article about methods of applying decorative plasters and nuances
Application
decorative
plaster
Conditions for applying cement decorative plasters
Correct Applying decorative plaster with your own hands carried out at ambient temperature +10-+25ºС. Like temperature Range refers to the application of decorative plaster outside on the facade of a building. The base temperature should be in the range +5 - +30ºС.
If decorative plaster is applied indoors during the cold season, then the work should be carried out with a constantly operating heating and ventilation system. If the room is not heated, then it is necessary to preheat it and ensure a temperature of +5-+30ºС for 2 days before the start of work, as well as 12 days after finishing the finishing work.
Requirements for the base and its preparation for applying decorative plasters
Decorative plasters are applied only to pre-leveled walls. Applying decorative plaster to an uneven base will lead to its premature destruction, as well as to the appearance of heterogeneous “defective” areas on the surface of the decorative layer. The base on which decorative plaster is applied must be rigid and not deform during use.
Decorative plaster should be applied exclusively to a leveled base.
As a rule, decorative plasters are applied to walls previously lined with cement plaster. Cement materials poorly compatible with gypsum-based substrates.
Cement-based decorative plaster is not recommended to be applied to substrates containing gypsum.
If the client still wants apply cement decorative plaster to the gypsum base, then you should consider several important points:
- Firstly, the gypsum surface must first be carefully and correctly primed with soil in several layers.
- Secondly, applying and using decorative plaster is only possible in a dry, non-freezing room.
The wall must be cleaned of dust, paint and other contaminants that interfere with the adhesion of the material to the wall. If the wall “crumbles”, i.e., when you touch it, traces of the coating remain on your hand or the weakened layer crumbles, then such bases require additional treatment with strengthening primer. Important feature Before preparing walls before applying decorative plaster, it is necessary to treat the surface with a special “tinting” primer.
Before applying decorative plaster, the wall must be treated with a special “tinting” primer.
Applying a thin layer of decorative plaster on a gray cement base without a “tinting” primer can lead to the fact that remnants of the gray cement base will be visible through the structurally heterogeneous layer of decorative plaster. The use of a special “tinting” primer eliminates this problem. A number of craftsmen use highly diluted white cement putty as a “tinting” primer.
Technology of working with decorative plaster
Working with decorative plaster is divided into several successive stages: preparing the finished solution, applying and distributing the solution on the finished base, giving the necessary texture with your own hands and finishing walls.
Before you begin the process of preparing the solution, you should carefully study the manufacturer's instructions for working with the material. First you need to measure required amount clean water and pour it into a mixing container. It should be remembered that when preparing a solution of decorative plaster, you must use only clean water with a temperature of 15-20ºC.
Next, you need to pour in the required amount of dry mixture in portions with your own hands. While adding the mixture, the solution must be stirred. As a rule, mixing is carried out by a master with a professional mixer at medium speed. After obtaining a homogeneous solution, stirring must be stopped and time (3-5 minutes) is allowed for the solution to stand.
The process of preparing the plaster solution is carried out with a holding time of 3-5 minutes
Aging is necessary so that the modifying additives contained in the mixture have time to dissolve.
After curing, the solution is mixed a second time, after which it is possible to begin applying the decorative plaster solution to the wall.
Applying the solution yourself. To apply the solution to the surface, you need to prepare a clean working tool - a narrow and wide metal spatula, a plastic trowel. Using a small spatula, apply a small portion of the prepared solution to the edge of a wide metal spatula or to the bottom of a metal trowel. Next, the tool with the mortar is brought perpendicular to the base and they begin to distribute and level the finished mortar along the wall, gradually changing the angle of the trowel or spatula with their hands to a sharp one. It should be remembered that the thickness of the decorative plaster layer should not exceed the size largest diameter coarse filler (crumbs).
The thickness of decorative plaster application should not exceed the largest aggregate size
Depending on the work conditions, 10-25 minutes after applying the solution to the base, the process of thickening (setting) begins. At this moment it is necessary to begin forming the necessary texture of the wall (grinding). For this, as a rule, a plastic or metal grater is used. The treated base is given the desired texture by holding the grater with your hands parallel to the base, with light movements the solution is finally rubbed and distributed over the surface to the thickness of the grain.
Methods for forming surface texture
There are two main types of texture of decorative cement plaster - Fur coat and Bark beetle.
Texture of Shuba plaster resembles a grainy texture. When applying decorative plaster such as Shuba, “grinding” exposes part of the coarse filler, and a grainy surface texture is formed.
The nature of the movement of the tool during “grinding” does not play a significant role in the formation of texture, since “Shuba” type plasters contain a large amount of coarse filler fraction (crumbs), which is evenly distributed over the entire wall. As a rule, grind in a circular motion from top to bottom.
The texture of “Shuba” type plaster has a greater influence on the ratio of large and small filler particles in the composition of the material. Based on this, I highlight several additional varieties of decorative plaster of the “Fur Fur” type. The texture of “Lamb Fur Coat” is balanced in terms of granulometric composition.
In the plaster, along with the fine fraction, there is an increased content of large filler particles, and the texture of such decorative plaster is distinguished by relief, while the spaces between the particles of the large fraction are filled with fine filler. Plaster of this texture is dense and when finishing the facade, a smaller amount of dirt accumulates on the surface, most of which are washed off by precipitation during operation. Another type of Shuba plaster is the “Crocodile” texture or this texture is called “rubbed” Shuba. The main grains in the composition of such plaster are grains less than 1 mm. With additional grinding of such plaster, not a continuous surface is formed, but an “island” one.
Plaster Bark beetle has a grooved texture reminiscent of the surface of a tree trunk by a pest beetle. When “grinding” decorative plaster of the bark beetle type, the coarse filler in the plaster composition forms furrows to the entire depth of application of the layer. When “grinding” decorative plaster, it is important to pay attention to the bark beetle. Special attention uniform formation of a textured pattern over the entire surface, without any accumulations of coarse filler.
Depending on the direction and method of grinding, different surface textures can be formed. The simplest is to “grind” with your own hands in one direction horizontally, vertically or diagonally; such simple textures are called “rain”. There are also combined and complex textures. These textures are obtained by combining several simple movements when “grinding”, for example, moving along diagonals in different directions in a herringbone pattern.
In addition, “grinding” of decorative plaster can be done in a circular motion. With such movements, special attention should be paid to the uniform distribution of the filler over the entire surface of the “grind”, otherwise the texture of the base will not be uniform and will lose its aesthetic properties. The accumulation of large “crumbs” on any section of the wall should be avoided. When carrying out work, avoid applying strong pressure to the laid mortar mixture.
Features of hardening of decorative coatings.
Like most finishing materials, cement decorative plasters must be protected during hardening from excessive dehydration of the wall, which can provoke the formation of cracks on the surface. When carrying out finishing work on the outside of the building (on the façade or plinth) after applying the decorative coating, care should be taken to ensure that the surface of the hardening decorative plaster is not exposed to excessive sunlight and wind. To do this, a special “facade” mesh is installed on the facade of the building, which scatters the sun’s rays and protects the surface from excessive drying under the influence of the wind. When applying a decorative coating indoors, it is enough to prevent the appearance of drafts during the hardening of the plaster coating.
Surface finishing of decorative plaster
When using white cement-based decorative plaster as a decorative coating, it can then be painted in any color. When choosing paint, you need to remember a number of recommendations.
It is possible to paint the surface of decorative plaster only after it has completely dried, after approximately 2-4 days.
The most common mistakes when applying decorative plasters with your own hands
One of the main mistakes when working with decorative plasters is the formation of a non-uniform texture along the wall. In some cases, when working with “bark beetle” type plaster, there is an “accumulation” of coarse filler at the “grinding” boundary of two sections.
In this case, without allowing the decorative layer to completely set, remove the accumulated particles of coarse filler with your own hands and achieve a uniform “transition” between both sections. It is not uncommon for large filler to be missing from any area. Then you need to add coarse filler to this area and “grind” until the texture is uniform.
A finishing material such as decorative plaster is not cheap, nor are the services of a professional to apply it. Of course, it all depends on the type of material, manufacturer, chosen texture and desired effect. But the basic principles of operation are the same in all cases and differ little (if you look at it in a simplified way). Therefore, you can always learn how to apply decorative plaster yourself. It will take many hours of practice to perfect this art, though again, it all depends on the desired effect and the chosen material. It will be easy to work with one solution, but nothing will work with another, no matter how hard you try.
Types of decorative plaster
Without going into details, it is worth dwelling on the types of decorative plaster. It is necessary to understand what kind of material this is, because the selection of tools and the application of decorative plaster itself depend on this.
This is what coatings made with Venetian, textured and structural plasters look like, respectively.
- Venetian plaster is sold in the form of a thick plastic mass. Often it is translucent, but I use it to imitate natural stone(mostly marble). It refers to mineral plasters, which use crumbs or flour of various minerals as a filler. Using the Venetian, smooth surfaces are created. The main role in working with such material is played by the application technique.
- Textured plasters are presented in the form of a thick, homogeneous mass with plastic properties. The material is applied in an even layer, and then the texture is formed using various devices. Such mixtures are most often used to create intricate surfaces, because they are easy to work with. Working tools play a key role when working with such material.
- Structural materials contain various granules. It is this filler that plays a decisive role in creating the desired surface. These granules form grooves and hollows when applied.
Methods for applying decorative plaster greatly depend on what fillers are used in the solution. It is one thing to work with cement-based plaster and quite another to use polymer-based silicone solutions. However, if you delve into this issue, you can get to the point where you have to describe the intricacies of working with many varieties of decorative plasters from different manufacturers. For a beginner, the division into textured, structural and Venetian decorative plasters will be quite enough.
For creating different effects use various instruments and technology Everyone's favorite simple budget putty refers to textured materials. A plastic solution based on gypsum is applied in an even layer, and then the desired texture is created using various devices.
Scope of application and difficulties encountered
Do-it-yourself decorative plaster can be applied indoors and outdoors. If we are talking about facade finishing, then for these purposes in the vast majority of cases structural materials are used. They don't cost much, but they also decorative effect will not be as beautiful as it could be. It's quite suitable for the façade. We are more interested in interior decoration, where people use decorative plaster for its intended purpose - not only to decorate walls, but also to create a unique atmosphere that will please the eye.
Where in the apartment can decorative plaster be applied?
- In the corridor and hallway it is best to use structural mortars with fine-grained filler. The smaller the filler, the more beautiful the pattern will be. For such materials increased wear resistance and they resist mechanical stress well.
- Decorative plaster finishing of ceilings can be done using Venetian. This is the best option, since the ceiling is already perfectly smooth, which is a necessary condition for simulating natural materials. The coating can be protected with varnish and wax, which will save it from moisture in the kitchen and bathroom.
- If Venetian is suitable for the ceiling of the kitchen and bathroom, then it is not necessary to use it for the walls, because it will be too expensive. Textured materials are ideal for the walls in these rooms.
- The bedroom and children's room can be decorated with both textured mixtures and Venetian. This is a matter of taste and financial capabilities.
- In the hall, due to its large area, structural plaster with a fine texture looks good.
- The columns must be finished with Venetian so that they become “marble”. You can do the same with arches, but you need to think about the transition between the arch and the wall.
Knowing where exactly the decorative plaster will be applied, you will understand what material you need. And after that you can study all kinds of application techniques.
What tools might be useful?
The following tools may be required for work:
- Metal trowel. It is necessary for any work, and you cannot do without it. The trowel should be made of stainless steel. Otherwise, after some time, rust may appear on the finished coating. To work with the Venetian, a special Venetian trowel is used.
- Putty knife. Another essential tool. It should be small in size so that it is convenient for them to collect the solution from the bucket. Using a spatula, the solution is applied to the trowel in the required amount, and then the trowel is transferred to the wall. Sometimes a wide spatula is used to replace a trowel.
- Plastic grater. It is mainly used when working with structural decorative plaster. It is used to smooth the surface, catching the granules contained in the solution. As a result, a “bark beetle” (“lamb”) texture is formed.
- The brush is used when working with textured mixtures. With its help, various roughness and swirls are created.
- Roller. Decorative plaster is sometimes applied with a regular roller. After this, the material is smoothed with a grater, creating a decorative coating. So, a roller is rarely used; more often it is used to roll over an already applied solution to form a coat.
- Textured roller and stamps. Using a stamp or textured roller, similar patterns are created on the wall.
- Decorative plaster is rarely applied with a spray gun, but such a tool can come in handy.
- Other devices. This includes applicators, sea sponge, crumpled cellophane covered with a tourniquet foam roller and other tools that are used extremely rarely or are created independently. All of them are used only when working with textured decorative plaster.
Different tools are used for different jobs It is also worth mentioning that not all mixtures are sold ready-made, and some of them will have to be prepared yourself. To do this, you will need a plastic container and a drill with a mixer attachment. Even if the solution is sold ready-made, its color is usually white. After adding the toner, the mixture will need to be mixed. This can be done with a trowel, but for greater efficiency you should use a mixer.
Required skills and where to get them
You can't do without working tools. Some you will need to buy, but some you can do yourself (only relevant for working with textured mixtures). But even if you have the right tools at hand, you can’t do without skills. Where can I get them to know how to apply decorative plaster? You can go to a master class, but it costs money, and each master has his own opinion and is used to working with certain products. You can read information materials and watch video lessons, and then try to bring everything to life.
Whatever path you take, you will have to act at your own peril and risk. Therefore, we recommend purchasing the material with a reserve so that part of it can be used for training. You will also need to buy several pieces of plywood on which to hone your skills. When the technology for applying decorative plaster has been perfected on a plywood board 2-3 times, you can proceed to practice on the wall. You will already have an idea of how the whole process works in reality. Here you will only find out general features works, because it is simply impossible to consider all aspects at once.
Final touches before application
You already know where you want to use decorative plaster, and what kind of material you need. Do you have a rough idea of necessary tools, and what type of decoration they are suitable for. You could proceed directly to application, but you will have to wait a little. The work surface can make all the difference.
The thinner the layer of decorative plaster, the smoother the surface should be. In most cases, the decorative material is applied in a thin layer, which means that all the unevenness of the wall will be visible through it. Therefore, the working surface must be clean and smooth, free from dents, chips and cracks. In the case of the Venetian, the wall must be brought to a perfectly smooth state.
Then a layer of primer is applied. It is important to select soil depending on the type of solution. It is advisable that the decorative plaster and primer be produced by the same manufacturer. Then the best effect from their interaction will be achieved.
The primer is a light liquid that is used for better adhesion between the working surface and the applied coating. In other words, the primer acts as the glue that makes the solution stick to the wall and not fall off.
Application technique in general
The technique of applying decorative plaster greatly depends on the selected product. Therefore, we will focus on three large groups: structural, textured and Venetian plasters. Let's look at them in general terms, and if you need more detailed information, then in the “Effects” section of the site all the nuances of creating specific patterns and drawings are described in detail. The “Manufacturers” section contains detailed recommendations for applying decorative plaster of various brands. Next, generalized information will be presented that will be useful for beginners to form a general impression of the work.
Structural plasters for the most inexperienced
“Bark beetle” made using different techniques Structural plaster is applied in a layer, the thickness of which should be comparable to the grain size of the filler (written on the packaging). After this layer begins to harden, it begins to be smoothed with a plastic grater. The movements can be horizontal, vertical, circular or cross. You should start working with a grater after the surface stops sticking to your hand.
River sand, quartz, mica and other minerals can be used as a filler for structural plaster. This affects the cost of the product, as well as slightly on the appearance of the finished surface.
You can run the grater over one place for as long as you want. If you don’t like the drawing, you can change the direction of movements and see what happens next. This application of decorative plaster does not seem difficult, so anyone can cope with this work.
Textured plasters for people with imagination
The textured solution is also applied to the wall in an even layer using a trowel. However, you can form the texture immediately after applying it or wait until it begins to dry. If you work right away, you can walk over the liquid solution with a regular roller to create a fur coat. Or simply press the entire surface of the trowel against the wall, and then tear it off, pulling the mortar onto yourself. The essence of these methods is to “pull” the solution from the wall in any way. Then you need to wait until the material dries and smooth it with a smoothing iron or trowel.
The same patterns can be created in other ways. You can apply one even layer and wait for it to dry completely. And then scoop up the solution onto the entire surface of the trowel and, using light touches, transfer it to the wall in various places. We wait for the solution to dry and rub it with a trowel in different directions. The result will be a coverage known as a world map or islands.
The decorative effect is greatly enhanced by painting the surface As a result of applying textured decorative plaster various techniques you can get the following effects (the list is not complete, this is only a small part of the possible options):
- Travertine.
- Wave.
- World map.
- Boulders.
- Fur coat.
- Tree.
- Crinkled fabric.
The dried coating can also be treated with textured rollers. These instruments already have an imprint on them. work surface, which allows you to create a pattern on the wall. These patterns will be of the same type, but working in this way is very simple. You need to roll the roller along the wall and the pattern is ready. There are many techniques and methods for working with textured mixtures, but describing them would take too much time.
Venetian for experienced craftsmen
If you have never worked with mortar before, it is better not to start with the Venetian. Its decorative effect is simply excellent, but the cost is too high, and the technique is complicated. You will need to level the surface to a perfectly flat and smooth state, which can already be a challenge for a beginner. Venetian decorative plaster is applied using a trowel of the same name “on the strip.” This means that the layer of applied material should be as thin as possible.
Ironing, waxing and sanding create a glossy finish There should be a total of 2-5 layers to achieve the desired effect. To make the coating more decorative, it is necessary to work with several colors or shades at once on each layer of coating. In this case, a beautiful shimmer and depth of color will be created. It is highly advisable to iron the finished coating (pass it over the dried coating with a trowel under pressure many times to create a gloss). After this, the coating will need to be varnished or waxed (this can also be done “by stripping” or using a special sponge). Then there will be a polishing process using a grinding machine. A mistake at any stage will ruin the appearance of the coating.
In conclusion, it is worth summarizing the most important things. Venetian plasters are expensive and very difficult to work with. Structural materials are created with a “bark beetle” texture. They are not expensive, they are easy to work with, but the decorative effect may not be beautiful enough. Textured materials are the most suitable in terms of price to quality ratio. You can always experiment with them, use your imagination and create unique coatings.
