[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXrqGTPH5m4&feature=related[/youtube]Venetian Plaster is one of the most technically challenging faux finishes to apply. How Do I Apply Venetian Plaster is a question that comes into my email box quite often. 

It's not often that I can't answer a question about anything related to decorative faux finishes… but Venetian Plaster is a technique that hasn't caught on in my part of the world… so I have had very little opportunity to perfect the technique.

Venetian plaster can really only be applied to smooth walls. I mean smooth as a babies bottom… smooth.

The wall must be prepped with flat paint… which is contrary to all the methods I teach… always on at least a satin finish wall. This can also be accomplished with primer tinted to your wall color choice.

You will need a 4 Piece Set set of Japan Scrapers  and a rounded edge stainless steal trowel.

The work starts in an top corner of the wall… and you need to remember to apply only a small bit of plaster at a time. Pick up the plaster on the tip end of a Japan Scraper and apply to the wall like joint compound patching.

You have to apply and work the plater in a cross-hatching motion. You apply it to the wall in one direction and then work it with another stroke in the other direction. Keep maneuvering the plaster until it's flat and smooth on the wall. 

Do not leave any thickness or lines on the wall. Work in very small patches… and work quickly. This plaster is applied so thin that it dries out very quickly.

So… you have to wait for the entire wall to dry and then sand it… remember you going for an extremely smooth… like marble… finish.

Now you have to do the wall… again with another layer of Venetian Plaster! And sand again. And apply the plaster a third time… and sand again.

It's no wonder you might think of hiring this project out… and it's a very expensive finish to have professional done.

What? Another step?  Yes now the wall needs to be burnished.  This is where you use the stainless steel trowel. It must have rounded edges… so you don't scrape the plaster.  Burnishing requires that you press the trowel as flat as possible against the wall and work in a circular fashion… with all the pressure you can muster. This is what gives the plaster a silky smooth marble like finish. 

As you work on the burnishing you will start to see all the layers of plaster becoming more stone like and beautiful.

Here is where the real luxury look comes out! With the sealer! It's kind of like waxing your car… except the sealer is applied with the trowel.  Just like you burnished the wall… now you burnish again… with the sealer.

When the wall feels dry… you will need to burnish the wall one more time. This closes all the pours in the plaster and gives your walls a sleek, one of a kind look and feel. Your walls should now be so shiny that you can see light reflected.

Venetian plaster (or Stucco Veneziano) is a faux painting or faux finishing technique using thin layers of plaster applied with a spatula or trowel and then burnished to create a smooth surface with the illusion of depth and texture. (site refrence: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venetian_Plaster)

If you are interested in more detailed instructions… you can purchase a video by MODERN MASTERS VENETIAN PLASTER VIDEO.

Step by Step visual techniques that you can watch over and over.

Price at about $15 plus shipping… you will know every thing you need to know to get started with this captivating technique. If you can't afford to hire a professional.. well the supplies are rather inexpensive… It's the man hours that cost. Your labor is free!

Did you know you can rent a video that teaches all about how to apply Venetian Plaster? 

Faux Painting - Advanced Techniques

It's by Barbra Wurden and it also includes some techniques for working with metallic paint.  You can have a whole week to watch the DVD for only $10.  So when I get the question - How do I apply Venetian Plaster - I can send them over to learn from someone who has more experience in this technique.