Though I would love to attend a class in Atlanta, it is not in the cards... I am a homeowner who enjoys doing VP. After spending countless hours on this board and on the galleries, I attempted a bathroom using Lowes brand VP and it came out great... I am going to attempt a larger project.. Since I am not a graduate of your classes, I know I can not purchase the VP that you use...however, can someone do the "unthinkable" and recommend a good brand that I can purchase on a website?

Thanks

I would stick with Lowe's. Before you apply the second coat,..lightly sand the surface. Add a little water to the second coat and slap it on. Make sure you knock down the high spots.
Then polish. I have used Lowes plaster before.
It tends to be a sticky product at times with a little bit of pull while applying. The water will help with that
luck

Before I came over to SAFRA I used Rivesto. You can find their US distributor at firenzeenterprises.com

If you are used to Lowe's, then stay with it. If you are good at it, then a large area shouldn't be a problem. If you know that particular product, why go through the growing pains of figuring out another brand? I burnish right away, it says on the can within a couple days? I don't agree, I've had better luck right away- but wait until it's just about dry...if it peels, then wait a little longer, then buff with a terrycloth.

yes right away,..it sets up way too hard the next day,..like Calc

Then you have to use sandpaper.
Seriously? Who wants to mess with that?

you dont have to use sandpaper. but if you have ridges, a light sand never hurt.

I usually chisel a little the next day for some added bling a bling bling

you bling?

I have used the Lowes brand a number of times and I never had to sand, just pull it tight and there it is. I find it looks quite nice actually. Nothing wrong with sanding, but if you dont need to, then.....

I bling.

Pratt and Lambert also has their own Venetian plaster and I never sanded that one. I did a dining room and powder bath with it and it burnished just fine to a mirror finish, just need to layer a lot of it to get the right look. I think this is the same for all of the paint plasters. Roll on first coat, dry, then trowel on 3 coats, burnish 3rd coat right away.

nah, lowe's is the best of the worst, if you will...no sanding between coats, only 2 coats, nice burnish. end of story..

and Lori B has spoken

end of story

and donnnnn't you forgiiiiiit it

Thanks for the replys... another question if you don't mind....

How does Behr compare to the Lowes brand? I can not find a color I like at Lowes for the next project (about 700 Sq Ft over 2 stories).

Also, on the burnish stage. Is there a way to "cut in" correctly.... meaning on one wall I can not put the final coat on AND BURNISH in time.....it would take me 2 days instead of one.

also just as an FYI compared to the Lowes brand:
Rivesto is 3 times more expensive
Baldini is 2 times more expensive

I don't think I would mind paying twice as much, but from reading everyone posts, I don't think it is twice as good....

thanks

IMO behr and lowe's are very similar in texture, application, burnish and final outcome and appearance. If you do small sections at a time say 4' x 4' you can drop back and burnish and buff and it should be ok. Then just feather in the next course and so on and so on....Having a helper is a plus. Hope that answers your question about <cut in>? Not sure what you meant <cut in>