How to lay decorative plaster on a wall. Correct application of decorative plaster with your own hands. Facade decorative plaster

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 a great way to stand out from the crowd. Before deciding on the choice of the desired pattern and the technique for its reproduction, it is necessary to consider various options finishing. 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 subjects are molded from it, which can become an exclusive decoration for the wall of an apartment or a country mansion. Experienced craftsmen, using them, create real works from ordinary plaster mass, which set the style for the entire design of the 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 interior walls premises.

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 in construction stores you can find compositions that can form 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 facade and interior walls - it includes cleaning the surfaces of old coatings, rough leveling, and then priming 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 a visual perception of its depth.

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 the general principles of 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 enough, without much effort, make the mixture plastic and homogeneous.

• Spatulas 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 other natural materials, look especially impressive.

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 professionally engage in this art, when making reliefs, often use completely unexpected tools and household items, for example, wood chisels, 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

In addition to the 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 compounds made on the same basis as the 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 begins, 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 cement-based mortar is 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 more modern materials for work. 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 terrain for which this mixture is intended, since solid crumbs from different materials, having a large and fine fraction 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.

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 desired, create plaster self-made, you can take as a basis the recipes given in the table below:

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 deep penetration liquid formulations that include 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 by the manufacturer to the plaster kit; 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 - these are 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 a protective agent for Venetian plaster, which can acquire a matte or even mirror-like shine after application. Wax is odorless and is an environmentally friendly 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 - 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 both on external and internal walls. 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 a coarse-grained float installed on it. sandpaper.
	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 or a steam iron is used, 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 good quality plaster that does not separate from main wall, then it can not be cleaned. 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 old plaster you have to remove it completely, as 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, and 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 float with an abrasive mesh installed on it first, and then with 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 surface 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

The next important stage is plastering work, which finally prepares 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 the general technology is 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 fixed using cement mortar with the addition of gypsum or just a 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 the next stage of work.
	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 layer, professional craftsmen 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 for applying glue when finishing surfaces, to reproduce it ceramic tiles, or a special comb.
	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 your own version of using 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 surface of the wall. 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 an attachment for the roller 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 floral pattern on the walls, 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 they use cutting tools– this can be a knife, cutters of different shapes and a spatula – they are used to create the desired shapes. 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 a 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 selected shades, which significantly expands the creative possibilities of the home craftsman.

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 most the best option All that remains is to paint the finished relief.

Usually, for painting decorative plaster, water-based paints are used, to which the desired color is added. 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 embossed plaster a coloring is to cover it in a light tone, 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 a light shade is chosen, as 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. Don't take clean ones bright colors, since the terrain 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 main and the second auxiliary, 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 involves 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 experience in performing decorative plastering is small or absent altogether, 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 purchase quality material and use it correctly.

In addition to the two types of putty, to obtain the desired result, you will need “Quartz-primer” for application to the wall under the decorative cladding, which creates increased adhesion between the 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 mass will not be applied 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 leave the upper part of the wall clean and keep the upper border of the decorative finish even. Work starts from the top line. First of all putty mixture 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 relief surface, filling all the recesses of the design with paint, and when rolling out the composition, 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 in a thin layer will take about two hours to dry.
	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.

Decorative plaster not only looks very attractive, but also significantly expands the capabilities of craftsmen in interior design. The cost of ready-made building mixtures for decorative wall finishing is quite high, which significantly limits the possibilities of its use. In some cases, experts reveal their secrets of craftsmanship and show with examples that do-it-yourself decorative plaster is in no way inferior to ready-made solutions.
It is to such a master that I would like to express special gratitude for the clear and accessible video instructions that allow you to implement different ideas on the design of premises. The review includes the combined experience of the masters, which is collected in a separate publication. The recipe and tips will help you endlessly experiment with decorative design in any room where each wall can acquire a unique appearance.

Decorative plaster in different techniques

Versailles plaster from ordinary mixtures

How to make decorative plaster with your own hands like the walls in the Versailles apartments? It turns out that a similar texture can be achieved using ordinary dry starting gypsum plaster and finishing putty, which, when mixed and applied, give an attractive texture with light inclusions of the middle fraction. This finish requires the use of acrylic varnish, metallic paint and glitter. A detailed master class from the REDecoration studio is given in the video at the end of the publication.

Sequence of work on applying Versailles plaster:

• cover the perimeter of the future coating with plaster tape;
• prime the surface with quartz primer, which will ensure good adhesion and allow you to work longer with the model mass. Ceresit “Primer paint for thin-layer plaster and paint” is suitable for these purposes;
• The model mixture for decorative plastering work is mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio of finishing putty and starting gypsum plaster. The manufacturer of the mixture is not important, but you can use, for example, dry mixtures G-Start and Satenpro;
• the mixture is mixed with a mixer twice, the first time immediately after adding the mixtures, the second time after the mass has stood for several minutes;
• plaster is applied to the wall in a layer of 2-3 mm using a spatula and trowel, making random streaks to create the desired texture, special attention is paid to the corners and the space near ceiling molding and doors;
• the model mass is applied in an even layer to the wall, and then an additional “textured” layer is made using a plastic trowel, which creates the desired volume;
• after the plaster has dried, the resulting unevenness is smoothed out and sanded using a spatula, a paint float and sandpaper (No. 60), the result is a beautiful smooth coating with a pronounced but shallow texture;
• at the next stage, a deep penetration primer is applied, thoroughly covering all irregularities and avoiding smudges;
• after priming, the surface is painted; for this, white paint is mixed with any selected dye; it will take about 2 hours for this layer to dry;
• in the next layer, the wall is painted with metallized decor, silver is diluted on the primer in a 1:1 ratio, then applied with a foam roller with light movements onto the first layer of paint, without filling all the unevenness (pay attention that there are no traces left from the roller);
• The finishing layer of the surface is made with varnish with the addition of glitter. First, the varnish is diluted with water by 30% to avoid a varnish “crust” on the finished coating, then glitter is added at the rate of 1 tsp. for 1 l. While working, the varnish must be stirred regularly to “lift” the settling glitter.

Obviously, in this way you can make plaster in any color, finished with metallic paint of any shade and decorated with colored and plain glitter. You can also change the manner of applying plaster, creating different textures. The varnish gives the coating quite high strength and protects the wall from fading in the sun; both matte and glossy varnish coatings can be used for the coating.

Flemish plaster - two-color tinted in mass

Working with Flemish plaster differs from the above Versailles and Venetian plaster in the method of application and finishing; it is also made from ordinary putty based on model mass, the recipe for which is given above. The approximate consumption of such plaster is 80 g per 1 sq. m.

The key difference between this coating is that the finished decorative putty is tinted in the mass, that is, the dye is added specifically to the finishing plaster mixture, and not applied as a separate layer. The video tutorial uses yellow-brown and coffee plaster, which is applied with a large spatula to the prepared surface in a back-to-back motion, thus creating a beautiful two-color texture.

At the next stage, the wall is smoothed using a trowel or spatula. There is no need to achieve perfect smoothness. The main goal is to mix two colors of plaster and create an interesting two-tone finish.

Flemish plaster is applied in three layers using spatulas different sizes, decreasing their size from layer to layer. On the second and third, you can use a 20 cm tool. Subsequent layers are applied in such a way that a texture is formed on the wall and irregularities are formed inside the smooth surfaces. The size of the “islands” will depend on the volume of the mixture used in one putty application cycle. The more model mass there is on the spatula, the larger the “islands” of a smooth surface can be made on the wall. Last layer can be applied with a Venetian trowel according to the “press and smooth” pattern, in this case a different texture is obtained.
After applying the plaster, the wall is painted with a deep penetration primer. After complete drying, the plastered area is covered with glaze using a trowel. The mixture can be prepared according to the following recipe (consumption 120 g per 1 sq. m):

• glue for non-woven wallpaper, diluted according to instructions - 2 parts;
• panel varnish – 1 part;
• paint “Silver” – 0.5 parts.

In its structure, glaze is a regular wax, which is used to cover plaster as a finishing layer. Please note that in the recesses the wax is not completely removed, resulting in a texture with areas of varying degrees of silvering. Instead of silver, mother-of-pearl or gold can be used to prepare azure, which allows you to achieve different lighting effects.
If desired, the wall can be additionally decorated with varnish, which will give the coating durability. For wet areas yacht varnish or waterproof facade plaster can be used.

Prague plaster

Prague plaster or, as some masters call it, “Venetian fresco” is applied to a pre-tinted surface. To do this, add to the soil facade paint and the color scheme of the desired color. The main task is to create a colored base layer at the same time as applying the primer. When applying the primer layer, it is not necessary to achieve uniform “covering”.

In order to prepare a model mass of decorative Prague plaster, any acrylic putty is used, 1/10 of sand and color are added to it (preliminary consumption 1.5 kg per 1 sq. m). The first layer of putty is applied with a Venetian trowel, forming an uneven surface in the form of “islands”. The sand results in a more voluminous texture and a richer finish.

The second layer of putty is applied to the wall using the trowel trimming method. The movements involve pressing the trowel with the mortar against the wall in a chaotic manner. Please note that the required two coats are applied one after the other. First, approximately 1 sq. is done. m of surface and the first layer is applied, then the same area is decorated with texture using the trimming method.

The next area is covered with the solution in the same way. After this, you need to return to the previous area and smooth the plaster “along the tops” using a 20-centimeter spatula, removing the remaining mortar from the tool. After about five minutes, the finished surface should be polished with a Venetian trowel, without applying special effort. The degree of readiness of the coating for this operation can be determined by touching your hand; the putty should not stick to your fingers.

At the final stage, the finished surface is painted after applying a layer of deep primer and allowing it to dry completely. For the finishing coat, a special paint composition is used based on Venetian plaster, diluted with water (consumption 150 g per sq. m). Using Venetian plaster as a paint will result in a more interesting, slightly shiny surface.

At the final stage, the lined surface is covered with special wax for decorative plasters; this is done using a plastic wallpaper spatula. For these purposes, the so-called Parmesan blue can be used, which gives very beautiful effect noble shine.

Decorative plaster for finishing facades and fireplaces - stone finish

The proposed method of decorating surfaces can also be used for finishing facades and fireplace portals, but other mineral fillers are used for these purposes. A good option The choice of stone-like finishing can be considered dolomite plaster, but, unfortunately, its price is quite high for finishing a facade.

To reduce the cost of the original decorative mixture, use dolomite flour, which is added to a stylor-acrylic dispersion (UCAR™ Latex DC 640) for external work, which has a high water-repellent ability, or acrylic putty (Sniezka Acryl-Putz) for internal work. Dye, metallized filler, glitter or mother-of-pearl are also added to the finished material.

Dolomite putty must be applied to the fireplace in two layers, first in an even layer with a large Venetian trowel, then a painting layer is made by trimming the surface, followed by smoothing using the same trowel.

The surface is lightly sanded with sandpaper No. 150, primed and then decorated with Venetian plaster. It is applied diluted with water like paint using a regular roller. After application, the plaster is polished with a trowel.

The natural texture of stone is always distinguished by shiny inclusions, so the dolomite-like surface is also decorated with a coating with a metallized filler. To do this, copper is added to the wax and it is applied along the texture of the surface, bypassing the smooth areas of the cladding. At the final stage, the surface is covered with wax without glitter and polished with a soft trowel. Two-color stone-like plaster can be obtained using the Flemish application method described above. As you can see from the examples, do it yourself decorative rock on any surface it is not at all difficult and it will not cost much, but the effect will exceed all expectations.

Facade decorative plaster

After gaining experience in applying decorative plaster for interior work, the question arises about exterior finishing. For this purpose, you can use liquid glass, with which you can make a waterproof version of plaster:

• First, a primer layer is applied using a diluted solution of liquid glass;
• The model solution of waterproof (hydrophobic) plaster is mixed in the following proportions: a ready-made solution is used plaster mixture in a ratio of 7:1 with liquid glass or prepare 1:2:5 plaster from liquid glass, cement and sand.

Video instructions for applying decorative plaster

In conclusion, we provide examples of how to make decorative plaster with your own hands, video using all the mentioned methods. Good luck. The examples given will help you make expensive repairs in your home at low cost.

The concept of “decorative plaster” combines many different building mixtures intended for finishing room walls. This includes flock, Venetian plasters, liquid wallpaper, and plasters that imitate various surfaces and structures, such as natural stone or wood. Adding solid particles to the mixture during application gives an interesting and original pattern. Also, such plasters can be mixed with dyes of the desired shades.

When decorative plaster is used to decorate walls, as a rule, it becomes the finishing plaster. Its appearance makes it possible to create any interior style without resorting to the use of additional materials.

The process of applying plaster itself is quite simple, if you strictly follow the instructions for its preparation and know a few simple secrets. In addition, it is a creative process that allows you to express your artistic abilities and give the premises a unique look.

Before you begin applying the plaster itself, it is necessary to prepare the surface of the walls. It must be cleaned of old wallpaper or peeled balls, carefully leveled and sanded. Dust deposited on the walls must be completely removed with a brush. After cleaning the surface, it is primed. The primer can be used as an ordinary primer or an impregnation primer. In the first case, it is applied with a spatula, in the second - with a roller or wide brush.

While the primer on the walls dries, you can begin preparing the decorative plaster. It is usually sold in plastic buckets of various capacities in the form of a dry mixture. To prepare it, you must strictly follow the instructions on the package. The preparation itself is not difficult - as a rule, it is enough to place the mixture using a drill with a special attachment. If you don’t have a drill, you can use a piece of rebar or a wooden board.

You can also add various dyes to the mixed plaster to obtain the desired shade. There are several ways to add dye. You can add it directly to the bucket with the mixture (proportions 1:10), only to the finishing composition, or dilute it with the mixture in proportions 1:1 and apply it to the wall with a roller or sponge in chaotic strokes. If the first two options are standard application methods and result in a surface that is uniform in color, then the last option is more likely creativity, requiring more time, but the result is worth it.

The plaster is applied to the wall using a spatula or trowel. The plaster layer ranges from 2 to 5 mm. Due to the fact that the surface was leveled in advance and impregnated with a primer, the plaster lies smoothly and is not absorbed by the pores of the walls. To apply plaster, it is convenient to use a wide tool, which allows you to cover a large area.

Depending on the composition of the mixture and the method of applying it, you can get different textures. The mixture can be applied with a spatula, moving up and down or in a circular motion. You can also experiment with different tools to apply the mixture.

Using a large, firm-bristled brush, for example, will give the texture a wave-like appearance.

Using serrated trowels or rollers, as well as various stamps, repeating reliefs are created.

To obtain non-standard reliefs, you can also use available materials. Crumpled plastic bag, which is pressed against the layer of mixture that has not yet dried, gives the effect of a “lunar surface”.

After application, decorative plaster can dry from 8 hours to two days, depending on the thickness of the applied layer. After drying, the surface of the walls is lightly sanded with fine-grained sandpaper to remove sharp edges of the relief and cleaned of dust.

The last step is to apply the finishing protective composition. It must be selected depending on the type of plaster. Some experts use special wax instead, which protects the plaster layer from moisture.

Video on how to apply decorative plaster

I suggest you visually watch the process of applying decorative plaster and the construction of various textured patterns in a video lesson.

Examples of interiors with decorative plaster

Today, the technology of construction and finishing materials has stepped far forward, and we have on the market a huge selection of decorative paints and plaster, which have long surpassed conventional wallpaper in price and have firmly taken a leading position in sales growth. In this segment, today it is possible to choose both cheap materials with average quality from Russian small bottling shops of the brands San Marco, Pratta, Decorazza, Natura Interior, Arte Deco, and not expensive, but very quality materials from Italian factories Ferrara Design, Antica Signoria, Valpaint, etc. However, there is also a large selection of brands according to high cost, but in their case, the quality will be the same.

If you want to understand the stages and requirements of applying decorative plaster, then it is better to do this using the technologies of Italian manufacturers as an example, since they are still a trendsetter in the world of interior design and sacredly respect the requirements for materials and technologies.

So, stage one - preparing the wall

Here you need to immediately divide the requirements into two options - for smooth decorative paints and for textured ones. In both cases, the wall is first leveled with gypsum putty - the correct geometry of the walls is created, then the walls are brought to a smooth state with polymer putty (Important - you cannot glue wallpaper or apply decorative paint to gypsum putty, since gypsum does not provide sufficient adhesion of the two surfaces due to low adhesion ). Now let's look at the degrees of smoothness of the wall. There are two main ones - the so-called “for wallpaper” and “for painting”. They differ in one property - how ideal the sanded surface is. A wall that is not super-ideal is suitable for wallpaper; it is also suitable for textured plaster, since a thick layer of plaster will hide all minor irregularities. Before painting, the walls are prepared for their subsequent painting - both with ordinary paints and with decorative, textured paints. The ideal quality of the wall is necessary so that later on the painted surface you will not see any scratches or grooves.

The second stage is processing the prepared wall

After you have made the wall perfectly smooth, there is still dust on the wall from sanding the putty. You need to remove it, because it will stick something to the dust or you will get good quality surface is almost impossible. To do this, the wall is primed. There are primer compositions various brands and with various binders - choose to your taste. In our opinion, the safest and most effective are water-based acrylic primers. After priming, to create high adhesion (adhesion to the wall), you need to apply a substrate with a roller (this necessary condition for smooth decorative paints, for textured ones sometimes a specialized primer-base is sufficient). In no case is it recommended to use ordinary paint for this - the composition of the paint is selected as much as possible in order to cover the surface, while with a special substrate - the top layer creates a porous structure. If the seller tries to offer you regular paint, you should not order from him, since the substrate is decorative surfaces It’s not expensive and it’s just a matter of competence and integrity of the seller.

Stage three - applying decorative plaster

When applying decorative plaster, use various techniques, which can no longer be put into one article. Italian craftsmen today possess both the secrets of the past and come up with new techniques and new coatings. For example, only from Ferrara Design, ordinary silk plaster is applied in at least five ways and can also serve as a finishing paint or be combined different colors or invoices. General rules no, each coating has its own, and even the same coating can be obtained using different application methods and different tools. If you do not know how to recognize the correct application technology at this stage, follow the rule of common sense and match the coating to what you see on the sample.

Companies that value quality and reputation will make you a test sample absolutely free of charge, before application, and you will know in advance what your wall will look like.

Wall finishing with decorative plaster is work that is carried out on internal or external surfaces. They are aimed at giving walls or ceilings a certain texture and color. Depending on the chosen composition, different techniques for applying this material are used. Only preparatory work.

To decorate the walls with plaster yourself, you will need the following:

• spatulas of different sizes;
• graters and graters;
• trowel;
• containers;
• brushes, rollers and sponges;
• drill with mixer attachment;
• stepladder or scaffolding;
• plastic film, masking tape;
• plaster mixture, wax, paint.

For the preparatory stage you need the following tools and materials:

• sandpaper, sanding machine;
• rule;
• level and plumb;
• spatulas;
• reinforcing mesh;
• deep penetration primer;
• starting plaster, putty.

Preparatory stage

Plaster finishing requires a perfectly prepared surface. To do this, you need to carry out the following manipulations:

1. Completely remove the old coating or clean it of traces of paint, wallpaper, and so on.
2. Level the walls using starting plaster and reinforcing mesh or plasterboard sheets.
3. Close up possible defects surfaces, such as potholes and cracks, with putty.
4. Remove protruding parts.
5. Check the evenness of the walls with a level or plumb line.
6. Apply a coat of primer twice to enhance adhesion.

Wall finishing with structural plaster

Using this material, finishing work is carried out on external and internal surfaces. Do-it-yourself decorative plaster finishing does not require extensive experience or qualifications - House master can handle it easily. Difficulties can only arise with applying the mixture to the ceiling.

Preparation of the solution

The modern construction market offers ready-made mixtures in plastic containers various volumes or dry powders in bags that need to be diluted with water. If we are talking about saving your budget, then it is better to buy powdered material and prepare decorative plaster yourself. For this purpose, you will need an electric drill with a mixer attachment, water and a mixing container.

Important! Most structural plasters dry out very quickly, and water cannot be added to them after preparation, so it is not recommended to make large batches so as not to lose the material.

Material consumption directly depends on the filler fraction:

• Coarse-grained material - 2 kg per square meter.
• Medium grain – 1.7 kg.
• Fine-grained – 0.7 kg.

The first step is to wash the dilution container and pour into it the amount of water indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. The temperature of the liquid should be approximately 20 degrees. Then you should gradually add the solution to the water, stirring it with a mixer.

After this, you need to wait about 15 minutes and stir the plaster again. If the material is made on the basis of acrylic resins, then color is added to it, otherwise it is subject to subsequent painting.

Application Features

The prepared composition is scooped onto a spatula and applied to the wall, after which the plaster is stretched over the surface. Excess material is also removed with a spatula. During application, it is important to maintain the thickness of the plaster layer, which must correspond to the fraction of the material, so it is not recommended to make it more than 3 mm. At the same time, a layer that is too thin will not be able to completely cover the walls, and after drying the primer will appear on them.

As mentioned above, this material dries instantly, so limited time is allotted for work. To ensure an even layer of plaster, it should be applied at a time. If the surface to be treated is too large, you will have to divide it into sections with masking tape. Then apply the plaster with an overlap, remove the tape before the material hardens, and treat the rest of the area in the same way.

Rubbing plaster

This stage is considered the most responsible. The appearance of the resulting surface and its performance characteristics depend on its correct implementation. Work must begin immediately after the material has set. This usually takes 30 minutes. It’s easy to check if the wall is ready: just put your palm against it, if it doesn’t stick, you can start.

The procedure is carried out using a plastic trowel. To achieve different effects, different rubbing techniques are used (see photo):

You should know!

If for some reason it is not possible to treat the entire wall at one time, then you do not need to rub exactly to the boundaries of the treated area. You need to leave the plaster untouched at the edges, and after applying the entire layer, thoroughly rub the joints.

VIDEO: applying decorative plaster “Lamb” (master class)

Coloring A day after the main work has been carried out, you can begin painting the wall. First of all, you need to sand the entire surface to level it minor defects

. Then the wall is painted dark and waited until it dries. The next layer of paint should be 1-2 shades lighter. The work is carried out with a regular paint roller, and the joints of the wall with the floor and ceiling are treated with a brush. After the second layer has dried, it is recommended to apply a gloss varnish.

Wall decoration with textured plaster

First, prepare the solution taking into account the manufacturer’s recommendations, after which it is applied to the surface using spatulas. It takes longer to dry than structural paint, so you can safely treat the entire wall. Excess material is also removed with a spatula. After processing the entire area of ​​the wall, you can begin to create the texture.

How to make a textured layer

• This coating can be obtained using the following tools:
• roller;
• stencil stamp;

trowel and spatula. Using a roller is the easiest and most quick way

. Using this tool you can create a surface resembling velor. To do this, you need to forcefully pass it over the entire surface of the wall, while the movements should be directed in one direction. Then wait for the material to dry and remove the protruding fragments with a spatula blade.

On a note! While shopping for everything you need, you need to purchase several small stencils for the corners.

Using spatulas and trowels, they create designs that resemble the texture of natural stone, suede or concrete. You need to work with them according to the same principle as with all the above tools. A brush, spatula or trowel is pressed to the surface and passed over its entire area. If you don’t have a construction tool at hand, you can use a regular sponge or even a plastic bag. In general, anything that can be left on the surface by the relief will do.

VIDEO: decorating walls with textured plaster

How to dye

Such decorative plaster for interior work does not require painting, but to emphasize the texture it is better to paint it. First, the surface is cleaned with fine-grained sandpaper, then the resulting dust is brushed off. The first layer of paint is applied with a long-haired roller, and the second with a short-haired roller. The paint tones should be slightly different. They need to be applied at intervals of 24 hours, and the plaster should dry for about 48 hours after giving the texture.

If you don’t have a roller at hand, the process of painting decorative plaster is as follows:

1. Open a can of paint and pour it into a special container. The brush is completely dipped into it, for the entire length of the bristles. Then press it against the embossed edge of the container to remove excess paint. If there is no special container, you can squeeze the bristles of the brush onto a piece of multi-layer cardboard.
2. Now you can start applying paint. There is no need to paint every detail; you should apply the layer with sweeping movements, barely touching the surface. Thus, the paint will not rub into the texture, but will only touch the protruding fragments.
3. Wait until the first layer dries and apply a second, lighter one. The same technique is used as for the first layer.
4. The last step will be applying varnish. This material is first diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio, after which it is applied with a wide, clean brush. After some time (each varnish takes a certain time to dry), you can apply a second layer. After about 1-2 days you can touch the plastered wall.

Some artists use the wash method. It involves applying only one layer of paint, which is subsequently rubbed with a damp cloth. As a result, the texture remains saturated in color, and the protruding parts are lighter.

Drawings and panels

Before working with decorative plaster, you need to immediately decide on the presence of additional design elements on the walls, for example, various drawings or panels. They are able to decorate and ennoble even the most ordinary interior, especially if they are combined with the right lighting.

What drawings can be used and where to place them

A win-win option is a separate wall, which is pre-finished with stone or stucco around the perimeter. It is also appropriate to place these elements between windows, near interior doors or along the edges of an arched passage.

If we are talking about a children's room, then here you can fantasize as much as you like. The drawings can be based on the theme of a child’s favorite fairy tale or cartoon. For a children's room, it is permissible to apply drawings over the entire area of ​​the walls.

As for bedrooms or living rooms, everything is much more complicated here. The first rule is that the drawing should not bring disharmony to the interior. Drawings on the walls are only allowed for classic design, Baroque, Empire, etc. It goes without saying that in modern or high-tech, drawings and panels will look superfluous.

The tone of the painted panel should either contrast with the tone of the adjacent wall, or differ from it by 2 tones. The combination of motley and dark tones is unacceptable.

Application techniques

There are three main methods of surface decoration that require artistic taste. Therefore, it is better to trust the professionals or get a master class on decorative plasters.

Working with a stencil

This creation option is the simplest. You can use fragments of plywood or drywall as a stencil, having previously cut out patterns on them.

The application process is as follows:

Creating a bas-relief using construction tools

The relief graphics method is also considered one of the most popular. It involves the use of plastic, fine-grained plasters based on synthetic binders, acrylic paints and clear varnish. To carry out such operations you will also need brushes of different shapes and sizes, spatulas made of various materials, pointed wooden pegs.

The process goes like this:

• After applying the final layer of plaster, the master, using the selected tool, applies a relief pattern to the surface. The most simple example are waves drawn with a paint brush.
• The composition is completed with a decorated relief frame, which is created using a sponge or foam roller.
• After the drawing has completely dried, it is painted. There is also no clear recommendations– it all depends on imagination and talent.

Hand sculpting

The last method is considered the most difficult and without specialized education in sculpture, most likely, nothing will work out.

The purpose of this operation is to create a relief on the wall being processed by hand sculpting. Such panels can occupy only part of the wall, or the entire area. After drying, the surfaces are also treated with paint and varnish.