OK, I used the Behr Venetian Plaster from Home Depot. At first I had problems but after reading this forum and asking questions, I started over. I reapplied the Venetian Plaster and it looks ok. Now I want it to shine. I really do not like the look I get after burnishing. Is there anything else I can do to get the shine I want without burnishing? For example a glossy top coat or wax.

I’ve used the Behr Venetian Plaster before, with great success. However, the only way (in my experience) to get a nice shine is with aggressive burnishing. A good particulate respirator is imperative, as well as loads of plastic to close off the room (& air vents). Then I step it down with varying grits of sand paper, 220 to 400 to 600, (You can substitute the 600 grit sandpaper, for brown craft paper, to save some money.)

The Behr Top Coat has instructions to coat before burnishing, which leaves you with a nasty plastic looking finish. (If you choose to burnish anyway, you run the risk of getting bubbles in the topcoat.)

Even at it’s best, the Behr plaster cannot compare to the glossy shine & durability of Safra’s VP.

Sincerely-
Rachel Maddox

Rachel,
It looks like I will be burnishing. Thanks for the advice. Everyone on this forum has been very helpful. I could not have done it without you guys.

Thanks
K

It's possible to get a really good shine from behr, but it's a lot of work. Here's a ceiling I did, I did modify it a bit. I added marble powder to the mixture.

I also sanded with 2 more grit sizes 1500 and 2500. So for me it was 450 600 then 1500 and 2500.

Put it on in layers, thin layers. It took me 5 layers to get a really smooth wall(even after smoothing it with joint compound).

There's a guy I know who only uses Behr VP. He gets an incredible shine. He does 7 layers.

To much work for me. I'd rather have the real stuff.

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WOW!!! That looks great. You know I had a hard time even finding 600 grit paper-do you have any suggestions where I might find 1500 and 2500 paper? Thanks for the tip.
Kristina Aguilera

I got mine from Elliots hardware. You won't be able to find sandpaper that fine from the big chain stores like HD and Lowes.

Kristina
You can get these sandpapers at a paint supply store for automobile paints. Good luck

Charlie

Thanks for the tip. I will do exactly that.

thanks again,
Kristina