Lime plasters are formed mostly of slaked lime putty, fine marble dust, natural minerals, and oils. Lime plaster application that integrates traditional artisan craftsmanship with contemporary style is required to deliver distinctive and excellent finishes.
In this article, we’ll show you how to apply lime plaster using 3 different effects.
Next read: Looking to apply Venetian plaster? We have you covered.
How to Create the Smooth, Skip Trowel and Two Colors Effects
Smooth Effect
- You will first need to apply the Meoded quartz primer. Let the quartz primer dry for a minimum of three-five hours before applying plaster.
- Apply the first coat of Lime Plaster. In a smooth and even fashion, work in square yards to create a coat that’s not too thick or too thin. It is recommended to “float” the wall with a damp sponge in a circular motion to eliminate any imperfections.
- Allow the service to dry for a minimum of 12 hours.
- Apply the second coat of Lime Plaster—again keeping the consistency of the layer throughout.
- Once you’ve covered the surface, smooth out the layer with the trowel. Continue to clean the trowel as you go, leaving the surface nice, smooth, and even.
- Allow the surface to dry a minimum of 24 hours before applying a sealer or wax.
Skip Trowel Effect
Another option is the Skip Trowel Effect.
- You will first need to apply the Meoded quartz primer. Let the quartz primer dry for a minimum of three-five hours before applying plaster.
- Apply the first coat of Lime Plaster. Create a smooth even coat that’s not too thick or too thin keeping the same consistency throughout.
- Wait for it to set for 15 to 20 minutes
- The plaster can leave lines on the surface—use a damp sponge and move it in a circular motion to remove them.
- Allow it to dry for a minimum of 12 hours.
- Apply the second coat of Lime Plaster. As you apply the second coat, leave open gaps throughout the surface or simply skip over small areas with the trowel to leave the first coat visible. This is what creates the skip-trowel effect.
- Let it set for five to ten minutes before burnishing.
- Go back and smooth over the gaps so they look more natural. Press and smooth and clean the trowel throughout until you have achieved the look that you want.
- Allow to dry for a minimum of 12-24 hours before applying glaze or sealer.
- Choose any color Velature Glaze and dilute it with six parts water and one part glaze.
- Cover the entire surface with a sponge. It is recommended to start from the bottom of the wall moving up.
- On large surfaces, it’s recommended to use a clear glaze first. This adds washability, preserves the surface but also seals the surface giving you more time to play with the color. If you don’t like the color you can wipe it off and try again between each coat of glaze. Wait two hours for it to dry.
- If you want to go back over with another darker color. Dilute four parts water and one part glaze.
- Choose which part of the surface you want to accent with the darker color.
- To create depth, add another color. If you first apply the clear glaze—it’s easier to go from light to dark than it is to go from dark to light.
Using the Skip Trowel Effect with Velature Glaze, you can create infinite old-world or contemporary multi-color finishes. Let your imagination run wild!
Two Colors Effect
- You will first need to apply the Meoded quartz primer. Let the quartz primer dry for a minimum of three-five hours before applying plaster.
- After applying your base coat color and allowing it to fully dry.
- Choose which direction the veins will go, but stay consistent with the direction you choose. The Two Colors Effect creates an authentic marbled look. It’s made up of a base color and a combination of two colors with the option to add more design in a vein-like pattern, similar to a marble surface.
- Firstly, choose your base color. In our example, we’ve chosen a cream-colored base and a lighter cream plus a brown for the veins. We suggest choosing colors within the same color palette.
- Cover the surface, blending and adding to your preference. Occasionally, the colors may blend too much under the trowel. Go back over with a thin paintbrush and create thin veins in the same direction on the surface. Smooth out the veins blending them into the existing plaster.
- Continue to put up to two to three color blends on the trowel, the heaviest on the base, and repeat the application with the trowel covering the surface. You are the artist here, so if you see the need to add more veins, follow your creative inspiration. You can always smooth over the surface with a trowel and start again. If the veins are too dark. You can lighten them by adding white and mixing the paint before applying.
- Blend the colors with the trowel. Go back over and press with the trowel, smoothing the surface.
- If the colors aren’t blending to your preference, use a spray bottle to spray water on the surface to assist with the blending.
- If you like, you can apply a sealer to seal the surface, protect it and add washability or you could use Meoded’s Hydrowax. The Hydrowax adds an extra high sheen element to the marbled look.
The two colors effect is a low sheen, elegant traditional or contemporary finish made with fine grain marble and your creative vision.
You Can Never Go Wrong With Meoded Paint and Plaster!
Meoded provides superior lime and Venetian plaster for both residential and commercial projects.
To ensure that you can unwind in your home and enjoy the beautifully plastered walls and ceilings every day, we only use high-quality materials that are environmentally safe, antimicrobial, and volatile organic compound (VOC)-free.
When applying lime plaster to your space, the sky’s the limit in terms of what you can create! If sprucing up your home is something you’d like to do, reach out to us! We can’t wait to collaborate with you on your next project.
Not sure? If you’re still considering plastering your concrete walls, keep reading for everything you need to know.
Check out our Instagram page or YouTube channel if you’d like a firsthand look at how to use and apply any of our Venetian Plasters.