Hello all you talented people,
I need your help!

One year ago I applied the Lowes brand venetian plaster to the kitchen walls and backsplash. I burnished the finish, applied the recommended topcoat to the backsplash for protection and everything was just beautiful.

Now, a year later, there are some oily looking stains not only on the walls (kids in the house), but on the backsplash as well - from cooking (and it was supposed to be protected by the topcoat!)

I thought I could just go over the stains with some fresh VP, but it turned out that the stains
bleed thru/reappear just the same.

Besides, the touched-up areas now stand out from the old finish!

How can I solve these 2 problems?
Please help!


Thank you,
Frustrated Yelena

Hi Yelena:

Unfortunately, if you've got oil on the backsplash you're going to have to get some drywallers in there and demolish the old sheetrock and replace it with new and start over.

Heh heh, just kidding...

What I would do is sand all that stuff down to an area that makes sense. Then, get yourself some Kilz Original (oil base and smells like hell so be prepared and open your windows). You can get it at walmart and it's cheap but don't be fooled by the good price because it's an excellent product. What that will do is be your stainblocker, etc. Put on two coats of that (it's primer) and then start over again.

Hopefully you have some of the same plaster from the can you bought at Lowe's that's been saved, yes? I would also put on two coats of your sealer but that is just me.

Now, that is one way to go-about it. I would not do that immediately but instead, wait a bit and see if somebody chimes in with what's perhaps a better fix. But if I had nobody to guide me and had to fix those issues, that's what I'd do.

Venetian plaster and oil are a bad mix.

I agree what Damiano said. needs to be sealed. Greasy kitchens and greasy hands are not a good place for Venetian plaster.

If you want a good sealer,..go to Sherwin Williams and pick up the industrial grade semi gloss. this will definitely hold anything back. Cant think of the exact name right now.

two coats

Yelena,
I would newer recommend any venetian plaster for backsplash areas: it is absolutely wrong from the beginning... Use glaze, tiles, stone, plastic but NOT venetian plaster.
Michael