This is my first time applying venetian plaster. I've been playing with it for the past 2 days, layering to achieve a finish I'm happy with. I feel I've reached that point, however I would like to shine it up and I'm not sure how to do this. Also, if in the future I wanted to add another color, could I just add another couple of layers?

June,
What kind of venetian plaster is it? Behr? Modern Masters? Real lime plaster? Resin?

Whether or not you could add another layer at another time depends on whether the product is lime, synthetic, or has wax or some other type of sealant on it.

Please provide more info so we can help.

HI NANCY JUST LOOKED AT YOUR WEB SITE AND WORK REALLY IMPRESSIVE, WISH I CAN PRODUCE WORK LIKE THAT IN THE FUTURE, I HOPE YOU ACHIEVE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO JUNE BUT MY KNOWLEGDE ON HTIS SUBJECT IS SPARCE,HOPE TO TRAVEL FROMN THE UK NEXT YEAR SO MIGHT KNOW A LITTLE MORE ,

KIND REGARDS DANNY

I'm using a Debbie Travis Venetian Plaster. It's a Canadian product and I'm not sure exactly what's in it. I hadn't planned on putting a finishing coat on it. I'd just like to polish it even more. The can suggests using a #0000 extra fine steel wool or a 1200 grit sand paper.
Should I polish in a circular motion, or does it matter?

Not familiar with that but it's probably similiar to Modern Master's in which you burnish with sandpaper after the finish is dry.

Circular motion is fine. Modern Masters suggests burnishing with 400 grit sandpaper, and then 600 or 800. I suppose using extra fine steel wool would be ok as well but I would stick with sandpaper. I've gotten very tiny scratches in modern masters brand from using steel wool, even the extra fine kind. I've not used Modern Masters tho since being trained in Safra's products in 2004.

If you'd like to add another layer, not sure if you can do that after your burnish. You might want to read the directions on the back of the can of plaster. It should provide instructions on burnishing, adding protective coatings, and adding other layers of plaster.

Hope that is somewhat helpful.

Danny, thankyou for the nice compliments. I'm sure you will have your own impressive portfolio in no time.

I don't understand, why can't you drop back and polish with a trowel at the appropriate time? I've done it with Lowe's brand "Venetian" and it looked really nice.... it's just one of many acrylic based plasters sold over the counter. I believe on their can it says to use sandpaper to burnish also, but to me that sounds like a heck of alot of extra work that won't really compare to the look you get from pressure and steel.

Well I found the steel wool just dulled the surface. So I just used the trowel to burnish and I'm happy with it, however personally I'd like to see it even glossier. Will adding a top coat make it shine more? The brand I'm using doesn't have a wax, just a top coat available. It recommends using it in high traffic areas, which this is not. So from your experience, does the top coat add shine or only protection?
Also, I ran out of my highlight colour, so I was thinking about trying out a feature wall. I'm working with greens, and I have some green metallic paint. Could I apply this paint with a trowel for my next layer and then top it with some plaster? Has anyone done something like that successfully before? I just have a skim coat on at the moment.
You guys are awesome by the way, I really appreciate having this forum. Thanks for all your input

If you want it to shine more, I would recommend a wax as opposed to the topcoat they have available. In general, many of these cheaper acrylic based plasters available to us in the states tend to look a little plasticy when compared to a true or at least a modified lime plaster. The topcoats manufactured by these companies tend to make their finishes look even less convincing, at least to my eyes. I would try the liberon furniture wax, untinted. It will add a very nice shine and will add protection to the finish against most stains.

If you are feeling like you want to trowel some paint over it, I would recommend trying your idea on a sample and see what the look will be. If you only have a skim on the wall, did you make a sample of the intended finish? Doing so will help greatly in projecting the final effect.

Greg

I know I should have tried a sample first, but I figured I'd just keep layering until I got the effect I wanted. I am however going to try a sample of the metallic paint first though. I find it goes on very dark. Would it ruin the plaster or "muddy" the effect of the metallic if I mixed it in with some plaster. (to tone it down a bit?) I don't have much plaster left so I don't want to waste it by experimenting too much.
So to apply wax do I use a trowel and apply it the same as I did the plaster? And after I wax the walls, what happens if I, or a future homeowner wants to change them?

If you mix your metallic paint with the plaster I'm not sure what you are going to come up with, you will have to try it to see.

I apply wax with cheesecloth, but you could use a trowel, just make sure it doesn't have any dings or nicks on the blades....use 320 grit if you do followed by 600 to polish them.

If you do wax the walls, if it is desired to be painted at a later date, the wax will have to be stripped. That is the down side to waxing....

Greg

I didn't recommend burnishing because with the acrylic US made venetian plasters, burnishing with a trowel on light colors leaves alot of carbon marks.

I would be hesitant to add metallic paint to the venetian plaster unless the paint were made for a ventian plaster medium. Modern Masters has some metallics you can add to venetian plaster. Look for a store that sells Benj Moore paint. They should have it.

My very first venetian plaster job (my own bathroom) was done with Modern Masters sage green with some copper flecks modern masters metallic paint added in. Looked pretty cool until I saw Safra's plasters and how much nicer they were

ahhh, carbon marks, that's what you call it. Yes I do have some of those now... it's not unsightly, and it's only noticeable from close up, but good to know for future projects.
I live in a small city with very limited selection. This plaster was the ONLY one in town. I would LOVE to try some better products, but the closest major center is a 7 hour drive away. We don't even have a benjamin moore dealer. Hopefully I can find this wax you mentioned.
I've actually been working on this wall all day. I experimented with the metallic paint, and was really loving the effect until I went a put another layer of plaster over top. I find it's much nicer to have the darker color on top. So I mixed some metallic paint with the plaster to make it darker and did another layer of that. Doesn't exactly have the metallic look I was going for, but It looks good, and I'm tired of doing it now, so DONE!
Thanks for the support. I'm going to look for the wax next. When you say the wax would need to be stripped to change the walls.... how do you do that?

There are many types of waxes you could use. Beezwax, liberon, and I'm sure there's a whole host of others on the market. Try googling "wax for venetian plaster". I'm sure you'll come up with a bunch.

Sanding rather than burnishing with a trowel keeps from getting those carbon marks with light colors for the US made venetian plasters. The real lime plasters don't behave this way. I've never had carbon marks from real lime plaster and no sanding is required.

As for removing the wax, use mineral spirits, the prime, and then you can go over with another plaster or a totally different finish.

Nancy, I have an arredo coming up that is going over a surface that is presently waxed with liberon. Everyone I have asked about the best way to remove the wax have recommended a Naptha product specifically designed for this. So mineral spirits will suffice?

Terrific! You guys are great! So where would i be able to find some real lime plaster? Can it be sent in the mail? Or is there too much of a risk of it freezing? I will be going to some larger centers this Christmas and I will try and find some then.
Thanks again for your help