Hi,
I'm very new at venetian plastering. I've practiced on several sheets of drywall so far and found that my results are getting better and better. However, there is the frustrating problem of making unwanted knife marks, and "pulls" across fresh plaster during the 2nd application(texture coat). I read something about using a crosshatching method but I couldn't find any material on exactly what or how cross hatching works.

Can someone please steer me? Thanks an awaful lot.

Tom

Tom,

What are you useing? Behr?

Also, if you are using those spatula things, you need to round out the edges. Go to Behr's website and they go over it.

Steve, thanks for commenting. Yes, Behr at least for now till I get the hang of plastering and till I find out what might be better products to use. Regarding the spatula I've been using, the blade is 6" and I sanded the sharp corners plus flexed the blade to have a very slight curve in it.

Tom

Tom,

Can you upload a pic of what you're referring to for us to see? My wife and I did a room in Behr before coming to the School of Italian Plasters. Without knowing the techniques we learned, it turned out ok. Would love to see your work. If you can't upload it, email it to james@italianplasters.com and Shayna and I will take a look.

Like Steve said about the spats, we agree of course! You can get the best ones from Pavan. Put this into your browser and you'll find out where to buy them:

Plaster tools, Pavan spatulas

Enjoy the holiday!

James - thanks for your comments. I am able to upload a couple of pics but before I do, I have to run out quick with my wife for some last second christmas related things!

I'll be back later today to post the pics.

Thanks

Tom

I hope it will take only one try to get it right for uploading the pictures I said I would show. I'm still finding my way around this forum so bear with me if I screw anything up. Remember, the pics are to show you problems that result by applying plaster with the spatula. My objective is to get a smooth even texture without the knife marks but still retain an interesting pattern.

Tom

The skipping lines are due to your trowel skipping on the surface when you apply. Having better tools and adjusting your edge height would help.

Nancy, the one method you described as some applicators use, i.e., dropping off left then right...wouldn't that create a look of "columns" or some sort of linear appearance? Just curious 'cause I find that venetian plaster has a certain behavior and it seems that every bit of lack of ability or knowledge of working with it...SHOWS in the end product!

By the way, I did try laying the spatula almost flat and kept it clcean and it helped a lot. The one thing I still trip-up on, though, is dealing with "tacky" plaster. Another words, when I apply fresh plaster partially over the top of the plaster where I originally began, the plaster is in the curing stage by that time and then wants to drag rather than flatten nicely and results in ugly marks(really more like damage difficult to do anything with it at that point).

It would be great to have an Italian Shcool of Plastering near me in NJ. I hate to keep picking everyone's brains!

Tom

PS: Happy Holidays to all

Great to see the picture Tom! Thanks for posting it. Did you have the chance to look for the Pavan Tools? A clean beveled edge on the spatula or the trowel is vitally important with the polished plasters. It's hard the get the look without the right tools. It's awesome to see you applying with the spatula. That's the way the Venetians applied in the beginning is with spatulas. The trowel came later. We've had many Artisans apply finishes with both and the spatula is much more time consuming but produces a unique look all its own.

You should give Brian Stratton a call in NJ. He owns a very successful Landscaping Company and became a Venetian Plaster Artisan. You can find his listing in the Find an Applicator section under New Jersey. He picked our brains like crazy and still does!

Thanks for Posting on the forum Tom and enjoy your holiday season.

James, thank you for your comments. Yeah, the spatula I've been practicing with is probably not the greatest. I bought it at Home Depot. I saw it, grabbed it, and ran.(paid for it of course), then sanded the sharp corners, arched the blade slightly and been practicing ever since. I think that a few walls in my house are going to be my first serious plastering job! But first I will definately be looking into the best quality tools. As a faux artist, I work frequently with wood graining and wood touch ups in high profile applications and I know what an incredible difference a really good brush makes! No doubt the same applies to great venetian plastering.

Thanks again.

Tom

Thanks Nancy for having the brass to give him that address. Those are good DVD's he can buy.

Nancy, It's been pointed out to me that my comment to you could be taken in a negative way. Let me assure you that it was meant in a most positive way. I'm proud of you for posting the address. I wanted to but I've irritated people before.