Venetian plastering requires just a few tools, depending on which type of Venetian plaster is going to be used, also the total area and complexity of the application.

Tools needed for the application of smooth Venetian Polished Plaster:

• Short pile roller (for a primer)
• Smooth primer
• Venetian plastering trowel – large, medium or small (depending on the type of Venetian plaster and area of application)
• Spatula or filling knife with rounded corners (mostly 80mm and 150mm)
• Stirrer or drill with a paddle
• 240 grid, or 320 grid sandpaper after 1st and second coat, if required
• 600 grid and 1500 grid sandpaper to sharpen edges of Venetian plastering trowel, if required
• Water-based, Acrylic, or Synthetic wax to enhance and protect the Venetian plaster application
• Cotton cloth to apply the wax with.
• Lambswool bonnet to polish the wax with
• Polishing machine if you want to speed up the process of polishing
• Good quality masking tape and dust sheets covering as required
• The pigment is optional as many plasters come pre-coloured.

Venetian Marmorino or Travertino plastering requires just a few tools, depending on which type of Venetian plaster you choose to use, also the area and complexity of the application.

Tools needed for the application of smooth Venetian, Marmorino or Travertino Plaster:

• Short pile roller (for a primer)
• Gritty primer
• Venetian plastering trowel – large, medium, or small (depending on the type of Venetian plaster and area of application)
• Spatula or filling knife with rounded corners (mostly 80mm and 150mm)
• Stirrer or drill with a paddle
• 240 grid, or 320 grid sandpaper after 1st and second coat if required
• Water-based, Acrylic, or Synthetic wax to enhance and protect Venetian plaster application
• Cotton cloth to apply the wax with.
• Lambswool bonnet to polish the wax with
• Polishing machine if you want to speed up the process of polishing
• Good quality masking tape and dust sheets covering as required
• The pigment is optional as many plasters come pre-coloured.

The composition of Venetian plaster varies, depending on the type of plaster and (of course) the manufacturer’s secret formula.

Polished plaster – Stucco Veneziano is a blend of:

Slaked lime putty (12–24 month-old)

Marble dust

Pozzolans, natural polymers and other natural binders

Venetian Marmorino, Travertino or Intonachino plasters are a composition of:

Slaked lime putty 12 to 24-months old

Marble dust

Marble, Granite or limestone grit (0.3 – 1.2 mm usually)

Pozzolans, Natural polymers and other natural binders

N.B Manufacturers’ formulas for Venetian plasters always vary. There is a different age of lime putty used, a different ratio of lime, marble dust or grit and type/amount of binders used.

Venetian plaster can come in any colour, as offered by your retailer.  The base is usually white, but some manufacturers do also stock a transparent base, which looks like an off-white. This transparent base is utilised to achieve deeper colours.

Venetian plaster can be coloured yourself or by your Venetian plaster retailer if they offer that service.

Colouring can be done by using a liquid mix of powdered pigments.

Venetian plaster can be manufactured with a metallic shimmer, mostly gold, silver or bronze.

Italian plaster is called a Stucco in general, which stands for a Plaster.

Terms such as Venetian Plaster, Marble plaster, Polished Plaster, Marmorino, Travertino, Intonachino and many others are also names for different types of Italian Plasters.

In simple terms:  every Marmorino is a derivative type of Venetian plaster, but not every single kind of Venetian Plaster is Marmorean.

Other types of Venetian Plasters are Polished Plaster, Traverto/Travertino, and Intona/ Intonachino.

When the last coat of Venetian Plaster gets to a stage when it’s just starting to dry, it can be polished with the edge of a Venetian Plaster trowel in a straight or curved motion, in any direction.

This stage is called burnishing.

There are differences between burnishing different types of Venetian plasters.

Venetian Polished Plaster 

The final coat of polished plaster should be applied on top of a fully dried second coat, in an extremely thin layer so that it will dry out rapidly, to ensure a speedily burnished finish.

Marmorino or Travertino Venetian plaster

The last coat (could be second or third) of this type of Venetian plaster is usually applied wet-on-wet, which means that the previous coat is still partially wet. In this method, the final coat of Venetian plaster should be compressed onto the previous one to create a smooth or smooth-and-shiny surface. If you cannot see an improvement at certain spots that means those parts are still too wet, so you should wait a while and come back to them later. Keep going over it till you hear a sound like a metal blade scratching a stone surface …

It may seem like hard work, but do not underestimate the burnishing process if you’d like to have your Venetian Plaster surfaces really beautiful, smooth, and shiny.

Afterwards, when the Venetian Plaster is completely dry, you can use a water-based, synthetic, or acrylic wax to enhance and protect the look of your hard work.  But do remember, the wax will make your Venetian plaster very glossy only if your burnishing result is really sound.

Very much depends on the individual client’s experience in that field. 

Proper understanding and correct execution of Venetian plaster require some time depending on the individual, just as any other specialist job.

You need to understand the type of substrate upon which you want to apply the Venetian plaster.

You must consider whether Venetian plaster is suitable for that specific area of the house.

You should understand the method/s of applying the specific type of Venetian plaster you would like to use.

As there are many different types of Venetian plasters, there are certain differences in application.

There are many specialists in this field claiming years of experience, but their applications may be very poor.

On other hand, there are talented DIY people we have come across with beautiful results in Venetian plastering.

At the end of day, it’s all about whether the customer is satisfied with the final result or not.

Yes, in general, but you must create a bond between the existing paint and the Venetian plaster.

Most of the cases you would come across involve emulsion paint.

If that’s the case, you will use recommended acrylic primer from your Venetian plaster retailer.

Make sure the paint is not peeling, dusty or mouldy.  If so, then it will require other procedures to correct it.

Remove, scrape off or sand down old peeling paint, and kill existing mould with a specialist product.

If you have old, non-absorbent paint on your wall, then you should sand your wall with 60 or 80 grid sandpaper to create a good key, and then apply a primer for non-absorbent surfaces.

After that primer has dried, then use a standard acrylic primer.

YES !

Please do not try to use any old primer you find in your garden shed left by your builder …

Always take advice for a recommended primer and its correct dilution from your Venetian plaster retailer.

Some of these primers are smooth or gritty: smooth primers are generally used for Venetian Polished Plaster; gritty primers are used for Marmorino or Travertino Venetian Plasters.

Using the right primer saves asking the question:  Why is my Venetian Plaster peeling?

Yes, it does.

There are various reasons behind the cracking of Venetian plaster.

During application:

• The plaster application is much too thick
• Temperature is too high during drying time

To rectify these factors we need to act on them immediately.

After application:

Structural movement of whole brick or block wall due to the settling of a new foundation

• Stud wall is not stable/strong enough
• Timber Stud wall has expanded/contracted in the wet room area
• Use of the wrong primer or no primer at all
• Incorrect choice of Venetian plaster for a specific job
• No (or poor execution of) anti-crack preparation coat

Essentially, to rectify these problems we should usually take practical advice on the cause.   If the substrate is fundamentally faulty, then we may need to remove the plaster and reapply the entire surface again.   We must first diagnose the depth of the plaster cracks to ascertain what is required to fix the situation effectively.

As we can see, most Venetian Plaster cracking is not related to the Venetian Plaster product itself or its application, but to the lack of substrate preparation in general.

Polished plaster is a type of Venetian Plaster also known as Stucco Veneziano, Stucco Lucido, or Lucidato.

Polished Plaster is a mix of Slaked lime putty, Marble dust, and natural binders

Polished Plaster is high gloss, usually interior wall finish which is applied by hand on a wall in a specific pattern.  Application is typically done in three coats but is not uncommon to apply even more coats – up to 7.   Wax is used for protection and enhancing the overall look.

Other types of Venetian Plasters may be called Marmorino, Intona, Intonachino, Traverto, Travertino or a variety of other names.

These Venetian Plasters are a mix of Slaked lime putty, Marble dust, Marble grit or other type of crushed stone, together with natural binders

Marmorino is a type of Venetian Plaster for interior and exterior (always check with manufacturer).  Marmorino can be fine, medium or large grit.

Intonachino is usually grittier than Marmorino mostly used for exteriors.

Travertino or Traverto are just names acknowledging the Travertine stone look, but the product is technically Intonachino.

In general, people should not be confused by names of products which are in many cases misleading but focus on the technical specifications of a particular product and the look that can be achieved with that product.

Venetian plaster, particularly Marmorino Venetian plaster can be successfully used for walls in wet areas such as bathrooms or swimming pools.

Marmorino is not waterproof on its own, but with the combination of Stucco Sealer and Wax D’Arte, a substantial level of water resistance can be achieved.  Marmorino Venetian plaster is a natural highly breathable lime-based product with considerable resistance to mould, algae and mildew.  It responds to humidity and condensation in the house and does not erode or start to disintegrate or stain.

For bathroom applications, the ideal substrate for Marmorino to be applied on would be an anti-crack system with a fibreglass mesh, applied over either natural lime plaster, cement board, Aqua panels or Wedi board.

For optimum protection, a couple of coats of Stucco Sealer should be applied by foam roller.

Once the second coat has dried, apply some Wax D’Arte by cloth and polish using a Lambswool bonnet.  Your walls could be protected by a further coat of Wax D’Arte after a few years, depending on domestic usage.

Polished Venetian Plaster such as High Gloss Polished Lime Plaster (Stucco Veneziano or Stucco Lucidato) is a highly breathable plaster that is not waterproof on its own.

Polished plaster with wax protection can be used indoors in areas with increased humidity levels, such as bathrooms or swimming pools without direct contact with water.

If you plan to use Polished plaster for a shower corner, bathroom basin splashback or similar areas, the best policy is to use Marmorino plaster with compressed polished plaster in it.

These must be protected with Stucco Sealer and Wax D’Arte to achieve effective water repellence.

Yes.  Lime-based Venetian plaster is definitely a good choice for chimney breasts, and around wood stoves, as it can resist the heat.

Great choices of Venetian plasters are Marmorino, Travertino or Intonachino.

However, it is not recommended much for inside areas of fireplaces with open fires, as cleaning could be more difficult.

Vertical areas around a wood stove should be covered by a fire-resistant board covered by an anti-crack system prior to any Venetian plaster application.

Neither is wax recommended for protection for a vertical area around a wood stove but the outside part of the chimney breast can be protected by it.

Using Venetian Plaster in a bathroom is the healthiest and most environmentally friendly option you can find.

Lime-based Venetian Plaster is highly breathable, easily dealing with the varying humidity in a bathroom.  This everlasting finish has a great advantage as opposed to modern products, as it has intrinsic anti-mould and anti-algae properties.

Most walls can be simply waxed, but walls that will be in contact with water such as shower corners or around a sink should be treated with a couple of coats of Stucco Sealer and Wax D’Arte.

The answer is Yes, considering surface areas and usage of furniture.

In general, Venetian Plaster can be applied on MDF substrate by using an appropriate primer first.

If it comes to a single piece of MDF (preferably green – moisture resistant) ie. in the context of straight surfaces without any joints or corners, the application is quite simple.

However, if we have to plaster over joints or screws which are sunk into the wood, then preparation requires an anti-crack coat that is already thicker than Venetian Plaster itself, so that usually needs professional attention.

Venetian Plaster can be used on horizontal surfaces such as counters, desks, and tables, but ideally should be protected by a sheet of glass.   That is the best way to protect horizontal Venetian Plaster against any excessive heat, splashes, or scratches which may occur.

It depends on what the countertop is normally used for.  In theory, you can use it, but it’s advised to protect Venetian Plaster with a piece of glass.

Any Venetian plasters could become scratched or stained over time as they are not excessively hard.  Horizontal surfaces tend to get a lot of wear & tear and may have residual fluids sitting on them for extended periods.

Microcement could be a much longer-lasting option.

The direct application of Venetian Plaster over drywall has a high risk of future cracking. This very much depends on stud work structure.

To proceed with the application of Venetian Plaster, an Anti-crack coat should be created first.  In the case of an external corner of the room, there should be plastic corner beads with a mesh used.  Do not use galvanized beds with lime-based products as those react to lime.

Absolutely!  Lime-based Venetian plaster is an anti-flammable product. That’s why it’s used for chimney breasts around traditional wood stoves and any similar scenario with a potential steep temperature rise.

Lime Venetian Plaster has a British Fire Classification of O.

Natural Lime-based Venetian Polished plaster is a manually-applied decorative plaster which is incomparable to any other wall covering.  Natural Polished Plaster’s properties are superlative and have no match in the world of modern decor.

They feature the following benefits:

• Breathability
• Non-flammable
• Natural lime-based
• Humidity resistant
• Mould and algae resistant
• Timeless, classic appeal
• Infinite colour & texture varieties
• Stylish and low maintenance

These features make Polished Plaster the No.1 option in High-end decoration.

Venetian Polished plaster or Venetian Marmorino plaster with constituent fine marble grit can definitely be sanded.

But in general, Venetian Marmorino or Travertino plaster is NOT recommended for sanding because of its coarser marble grit content.

The final finish after sanding will most likely not be the overall look you expected.

GENERAL CLEANING

1.1  Cleaning Light Marks

The quickest and simplest way of removing small areas of surface grime and finger marks is to rub the affected area with a rubber eraser. The eraser will remove all but the most stubborn surface marks without affecting the surface of the plaster in any way.

Larger areas will need to be cleaned with soapy water. First, damp down the wall with just water but try not to disturb the dirt. When the wall is lightly wet, then clean it with a mixture of water and mild detergent.  Wetting the wall first will minimise the amount of dirty water absorbed into the surface.

Never use acid-based cleaners for this process, as they may cause permanent damage to the walls.

Once the surface is clean and left to dry overnight, re-wax and polish as required.

1.2  Cleaning Scuff Marks

If the surface of the plaster has been scuffed with a shoe or plastic item and cannot be removed with a pencil rubber, try the following method:

Take ordinary masking tape and press it firmly onto the affected area and then pull directly off. Repeat this process 2 or 3 times or until the mark has been removed.

1.3  Stubborn Marks

If you are unable to remove any mark using a pencil rubber or masking tape, it may be necessary to lightly sand the surface in the affected area. Sand the surface lightly with 600 grit sandpaper followed by 1000 to 4000 grit to bring back the polish.

Do not sand heavily in a small area as this may cause a dip and try to avoid sanding too far into the surface as this will expose a greater amount of marble grain and affect the pattern.

Re-apply appropriate wax, polish and buff up the surface.

Always think of the future maintenance of Venetian Plaster before you decide. Venetian Plaster for exterior use is usually Intonachino, but there is a range of Marmorino or Travertino also suitable.

Venetian Plaster is traditionally Italian lime-based decorative plaster to cover walls and ceilings for interiors and exteriors.

There are numerous types of finishes used, starting from extra smooth and glossy, smooth and matt, pitted, dragged, scratched – and many combinations.

Applications used for Venetian Plaster could be in two, three, or more coats depending on what needs to be created.  Some coats are created on top of a previous dry coat called ‘wet on dried’; others are applied onto a semi-wet previous coat which is called ‘wet on wet’.

The cost of application very much depends on the type of application, the number of coats, and the type of Venetian Plaster used.

The price range for application only can easily be between £50–150 per square metre.

Never underestimate the skills of a craftsman – who is the most important element of the whole project.

Yes, but only if your applicator makes it textured.

Most Venetian plasters can be applied as smooth-textured.

Please find out from your Venetian Plaster applicator exactly what they are capable of creating.

The best Venetian Plaster is the one that meets most of your criteria.

Try to answer the following:

• Exterior or interior
• Exposed to water or not
• Exposed to dirt, grease of acid
• High traffic or low traffic area
• Deep or light colour
• Textured or smooth
• Breathable or not
• Glossy, satin, or matt

After answering these questions, Impera Italia can give you accurate advice.

Venetian Plaster thickness vary as we use different types and applications:

• Venetian Polished Plaster … up to 1mm
• Venetian Marmorino Plaster … up to 1.5mm
• Venetian Travertino or Intonachino Plaster usually up to 2mm

There are applications of Venetian plasters which exceed these thicknesses in certain cases.

Venetian Plaster usually stands for smooth shiny decorative plaster. The final appearance is achieved by an applicator. Some Plasters can be polished to a high gloss, others just to a gentle sheen.

Some Venetian Plasters can be left matt, or be brought to a matt appearance by sanding them back.

In general, wax can be used to enhance and protect most Venetian Plasters.

Venetian Plaster is used for interiors as well as exteriors, depending on which plaster finish we would like to see.

Plasters for interior use are mostly Polished Plaster, all types of Marmorino or Travertino.

In general, you can use any Venetian Plaster for interior applications.

Venetian Plaster application is the semi-artistic expression of a master applicator.

Because most people do not understand what Venetian Plaster should look like, the price per square metre can vary. What shall we consider?

• Type of Venetian Plaster applied
• Type of application used
• Size and complexity of the walls and ceiling

*The most important factor of application is the applicator himself.

The experience of a craftsman can supply a customer with the correct advice prior to making a final decision.

The talent and skills of a professional can make a stunning look from even average quality plaster.  So that what you are actually paying for is not really the application of this many or that many square metres.

You are paying for a guaranteed look and refined artisan skills. Paying hundreds of pounds for materials can end up an ecological disaster on your walls, without your even knowing.

Remember, the price you pay will be forgotten after a while, but you will be enjoying the art on your walls for decades at least. So, whether a figure between £50-150 per sqm is either too low or too high, you will see only after the job is done.

We hope this helps!

Yes, if we deal with lime-based Venetian plasters which have a high level of breathability.

There are numbers of protectors and enhancers out there for Venetian Plasters which very likely reduce or even stop its breathability.

Please speak to your Venetian Plaster specialist for advice before you make your decision.

This depends on what level and kind of dirt we are dealing with.  Also on which protector has been used on the Venetian Plaster.

Please see:  How to maintain Venetian Marmorino Plaster  for general instructions.

This depends on what level and kind of dirt we are dealing with.  Also on which protector has been used on the Venetian Plaster.

Please see:  How to maintain Venetian Marmorino Plaster  for general instructions.

• This is a never-ending debate.Stucco is the Italian term for plaster, Stucco Veneziano stands for Venetian plaster.Usually, stucco will be a grittier plaster, whereas Venetian Plaster is finer.There are many types of Stucco, just as there are many types of Venetian Plaster.So, both terms are very generic.For proper comparison, we need these two specific names.

• Acrylic Polished plaster is usually easier to apply for beginners
• Do the preparation of your substrate properly, Venetian Polished plaster is a decorative product and not a preparation work product
• Use sharp-edged, good quality masking tape such Tesa
• Never underestimate using the correct primer in correct dilution
• Always stir Polished plaster thoroughly prior to application: make sure all pigments are dissolved in the plaster, ensuring there are no lumps.
• Use the correct tools to apply the first coat, try to make a thin coat to just cover the primer coat so we can no longer see it,
• Movement should be in curved motions. Right-handed will usually start from left to right,  left-handed in the opposite direction. Try to avoid a repeated pattern to achieve a natural look.
• After a few hours the 1^st coat should be fully dry; check that the veins (ridges) from the initial application are not too deep and apply a 2^nd coat in the same way.
• If the veins are too deep you can sand them back with 240 grid sandpaper.
• After 2^nd coat is fully dry, sand the surface with 240 or 320 grid sandpaper, removing dust with a cloth
• Apply the 3^rd and final coat with a little amount of material using small strokes.
• Polish (burnish) the surface every cc 1 square feet.

Yes, in general.

Just as there are many types of Venetian plaster, there are many types of mica powder. So, make sure your mica isn’t too large for your fine plaster.  If you decide to add, then do this only for the last coat. Otherwise, you would be wasting it.

Yes.

You have to understand what is making your plaster waterproof.

Either there is a waterproofing agent in the plaster or waterproofing is applied over the surface of the plaster.

In this way, you can make any type of plaster waterproof.

Yes, but not directly.

• Make sure tiles are firmly attached
• Create a key by grinding tiles with an angle grinder diamond blade
• Apply a primer for non-absorbent surfaces
• Fill gaps and other imperfections such a grout area with a tile adhesive
• Create anti-crack coat with a fibreglass mesh
• Apply a primer for Venetian plaster
• Finally, apply your Venetian plaster

Lime advantages:

• Environmentally friendly
• Highly breathable
• Anti-algae, anti-mould
• Ideal for people with allergies
• Natural product

 Lime disadvantages:

• Extreme frost can damage it
• Easy to chip, especially corners
• Requires skilled applicator

Acrylic advantages:

• Easier to apply
• Better for dealing with micro cracks
• Better colour stability for deep colours

 Acrylic disadvantages:

• Non-breathable
• Certain applications may have a plastic look
• Some plasters cannot deal with water splashes or humidity

Shower corners or frequently used walls can be sealed with two coats of Stucco Sealer applied by roller. When fully dried, apply 2 coats of Wax D’Arte.

External application of lime-based plaster can be sealed with a few coats of limewash to keep 100% breathability, using the product Decorfilm to protect the surface.

Using a PVA as a bonding agent with Lime plaster is not the best idea. The PVA is very likely to re-emulsify in the presence of dampness, which will affect the bonding of the lime plaster to the originating substrate.

The best solution to create a faux concrete wall is to apply Concrete Paint from Impera Italia.

To create a concrete look, begin with one coat of Concrete Paint primer.

As soon as the primer is dried, apply a coat of Concrete Paint by roller. When this first coat is fully dried apply another coat and flatten it when has dried a little.

Use an optional protector for easier maintenance.

A concrete wall effect is a simulated effect on a wall resembling concrete.

The easiest way to create it is to use Concrete Paint from Impera Italia.  Literally, zero skills are required to achieve an authentic concrete look.

Faux concrete is a concrete-look effect that can be created by using lime or acrylic plaster or paint.

Plaster application always requires more skills and experience.

Lime plasters such as Venetian Stucco, Marmorino, Travertino or Intonachino have the advantage of being breathable, sustainable and suitable for eco-living.  Many lime plasters can be used for exterior surfaces as well.

Paints are usually easier to apply.

Concrete Paint from Impera Italia is an environmentally friendly product suitable for both DIY users and professionals.

This revolutionary easy-to-apply product helps DIY users to create beautiful faux concrete.

The easiest way to make a fake concrete wall is to use Concrete Paint from Impera Italia.

This is a 100% eco-friendly, breathable and lime-based product.

A coat of a primer, two coats of concrete paint applied by a medium-pile roller.  The second coat of Concrete Paint can be flattened with a spatula or trowel.

Yes, Concrete Paint from Impera Italia will help you to create a plaster appearance.

Environmentally friendly, lime-based breathable paint makes life easy for any DIY user.

A concrete wall finish is a wall effect that is usually created by a specialist to imitate industrial design.

Colours used in concrete effect are predominantly grey, so if you enjoy 50 Shades of Grey that finish is for you !

Concrete Paint from Impera Italia can help you to create this effect in an easy way.

A faux concrete wall can be created easily using Concrete Paint from Impera Italia.

Simple roller application makes this product very popular among DIY professionals.

All you need is some primer, Concrete Paint, a medium-pile roller, and a spatula or trowel.

Of course, some dust sheets and masking tape are helpful.

Start with a coat of primer.

After a couple of hours apply the first coat of Concrete Paint.

Apply a second coat of concrete paint after a couple of hours and when the paint has set a little, create your desired effect using a spatula or trowel.

We do not believe that is possible.

Basically, concrete is a man-made product and stone is made by nature.

What we can offer is a Concrete Paint which helps you to create following:

• Concrete look effect
• Faux concrete
• Stone look effect
• Faux stone
• Cement look

Simply by using Concrete Paint.

Impera Italia has created this product to imitate the concrete look and other industrial styles.

Easy application with natural breathability is suitable for healthy living and DIY users.