Venetian plaster is a durable and beautiful wall finish that can last for hundreds of years. Although it’s a great investment, sometimes homeowners want to update their home’s appearance. Paint is a great way to do this.
Can you paint over Venetian plaster? Yes, you can paint over Venetian plaster and the process is actually quite straightforward. However, you will have to prepare the surface properly and choose a compatible paint.
In this article, let’s take a look at what Venetian plaster is, what kind of paint to use, and how to paint Venetian plaster.
What Is Venetian Plaster?
“Plaster” is usually defined as any material that hardens after application to a surface, but in this case, it generally means lime-based plaster mixed with marble dust, applied in multiple layers. This finish is often burnished with wax to add shine and durability to the final result.
It became popular during the Renaissance and was used extensively throughout Europe until the 19th century when industrialization brought cheaper alternatives like paint and wallpaper. In recent decades, there has been a revival of interest in traditional decorative finishes like Venetian plaster.
Venetian plaster can be made to resemble concrete or marble, but the classic look is a glossy surface with deep marbling.
Venetian plaster is more than a decorative touch — it’s also a practical one. Plaster walls are significantly more durable than drywall, which can dent or crack if something hits it or develop mold if it comes in contact with water.
If you’re looking to give your home a long-lasting and attractive finish, Venetian plaster might be the right choice.
Venetian plaster is made by laying down thin layers of plaster that are designed to dry separately. The surface is then sanded to reveal the various layers of Venetian plaster, so it will look textured but feel perfectly smooth.
This is a popular technique to use if you love the look and smooth appearance of marble but cannot fit marble into your space.
Venetian plaster also gives you more options than marble because it comes in many different colors, and your plastering technique can also create different patterns for the final finish.
Although Venetian plaster is usually applied by a specialist because of the special technique and the elbow grease that it requires, painting over Venetian plaster is simple and can totally be DIY’ed, as long as you use the right type of paint and technique.
Let’s take a look at what type of primer, paint, and sealer you will need for Venetian plaster.
What Type Of Paint Works On Venetian Plaster?
Venetian plaster is made from limestone, and because of limestone’s alkaline properties, not every type of paint will work with Venetian plaster.
Because of this, we recommend using an alkyd primer first. This product is a type of paint that’s designed to adhere to the limestone and create a smooth surface to paint over.
Then, you can use latex paint to go over the surface with the desired color. Let’s take a look at why this type of primer and paint is the best for Venetian plaster.
1. Alkyd Primer
An alkyd primer is a material that’s designed to improve the surface’s quality by filling small cracks and holes.
After the primer is completely dry (which takes about 24 hours), paint can be applied to the surface, and the paint will be able to adhere better to the surface. The primer can also prevent the paint from being absorbed too much into the surface, which can save you a lot of paint as well.
There are a few types of alkyd primers, each designed for a different purpose. However, the best type of alkyd primer for this purpose would be alkyd acrylic mix, which is a water-based primer that does not emit a lot of VOCs.
In addition, alkyd acrylic primers can dry faster than other types of alkyd primers while still creating a beautifully smooth finish for painting.
Note that if your plaster surface is deteriorated and crumbling, this primer will not work very well. In this case, you will need to sand down the plaster surface first before priming.
2. Latex Paint
Latex refers to the white liquid that’s extracted from the rubber tree. In addition to its many applications, latex can also be used as a resin or a solid in paint.
Every type of paint is made up of pigment, a solvent, and a binder. In latex paint, the binder is a synthetic material that’s made up of millions of ‘solid’ microscopic particles dispersed in water (hence latex paint is a water-based paint). In this case, water is the solvent.
Compared to oil-based paints, latex paints are easy to apply and quick-drying. They can be painted using a spray bottle, roller, and brush, so they are quite friendly to DIY enthusiasts.
For interior and exterior projects, latex paints can be applied on various surfaces such as plaster, cement, concrete, and wood. Because it is water-based paint, latex paint can be easily cleaned with water. Once dry, it will become water-resistant and can resist staining.
Thanks to their anti-chalking and fading properties, latex paints are more durable than other paints. Latex paints are also quite versatile and available in various finishes such as matt, semi-gloss, and stain, so if you want the plaster texture to shine through, latex paint would be a perfect choice.
How To Paint Venetian Plaster
If you want to paint over Venetian plaster, let’s take a look at how to do so below.
What you will need:
Prepping:
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Mineral spirits (for removing existing wax on the surface)
- Masking tape (for blocking wall outlets and corners)
- Venetian plaster (for repairing chips and cracks)
- Microfiber cloth
Painting:
- Alkyd primer
- Latex paint in a color of your choice
- Application tools (brushes or roller and paint tray)
- Wax or sealer of your choice
How to do it:
1. Preparing
If you have an old Venetian plaster surface, it’s important to inspect the area to check for cracks, chips, and other signs of damage. If you don’t have a smooth surface before painting, then the imperfections will show up in the final result.
If your Venetian plaster has been previously finished with wax, all the wax will need to be stripped to allow the primer and paint to dry properly. You can strip the wax easily by going over the wax areas with mineral spirits.
If your previous layer of plaster has chipped off, you can use a sander with fine-grit sandpaper to go over the chipped area and smooth it out.
On the other hand, if there are dents and cracks on the surface, you can go over it with more Venetian plaster to fill the dents and cracks. After the plaster is completely dry, go ahead and sand it down with fine-grit sandpaper one more time to create a smooth finish.
If the imperfections are not very severe, you can skip this step. This is because alkyd primer can also fill small imperfections to some extent, so you can use the primer to get the job done instead.
2. Cleaning
After removing all of the wax and letting the mineral spirit dry completely, wipe down the surface thoroughly with a damp cloth.
If you have sanded the surface, you should also wipe down the sanded areas to make sure that there is no sanding dust or dirt on the surface. A dirty surface can make it harder for the primer and paint to stick to, so cleaning is crucial to help your paint perform well.
If you have any wall outlets or corners that you don’t want to paint, you should use masking tape to tape them off to prepare them for painting.
3. Priming
Use your alkyd primer to prime the surface. If you want your Venetian plaster texture to shine through, you should go with a very light layer of primer at this stage.
You can apply the primer with a brush to go over hard-to-reach areas and with a roller to cover a large area.
4. Painting
Once the primer is completely dry (this is very important), you can go over the entire area with your latex paint of choice.
Again, if you want the Venetian plaster texture to shine through, then you should apply a very light layer of paint over it. In this case, you should only apply a single coat of paint.
If you are opting for several coats of paint, you should wait for the previous layer to dry completely before going ahead with the next one.
If any texture is showing after the paint is dry, you can simply sand down that area.
5. Sealing
While latex paint is durable as-is, and you can definitely skip this step, if you want to add more durability to your painted surface, you can consider sealing the paint with a layer of wax or sealant.
We will go into more detail about the different types of sealant that will work with this case below.
6. Finishing
If you are happy with the final result of the painted surface, you can peel off the masking tape after the paint is completely dry (make sure not to chip the paint).
Sealing Paint On Venetian Plaster
While latex paint is a waterproof and durable paint that can perform excellently on its own, sealing the paint on Venetian plaster can add a layer of protection and depth to the paint’s finish, which can elevate the overall look.
While this step is optional, if you are opting to seal the paint, below are two popular sealant options that will work well in this case.
Method 1: Wax
Wax is a popular finish for Venetian plaster, mainly because it provides substantial protection while adding a layer of shine and depth to the plaster surface, which adds to the marble-like feel.
Gel wax is the best formula for finishing up a plaster surface, and it is available in a translucent finish or a slightly tinted finish.
There are also quite a few formulas of wax out there, and depending on your preference (natural vs. synthetic) and your desired finish (glossy or matte), you can opt for the right product.
The only disadvantage of wax is that it can take quite a bit of manual work to apply properly. However, if you are up to the challenge, wax can create a beautiful, durable, and natural finish for your wall.
Let’s take a look at how to apply wax to your painted surface:
1. Apply a Thin Layer of Wax
Wax should be applied after the paint is completely dry. If the surface is still tacky, then applying wax will create a complete mess!
You can use a spatula or a trowel to spread the wax over the painted surface. To ensure that the application is even and you don’t accidentally dent the paint with the sharp end of the trowel, make sure to use short, light strokes.
You should not go too heavy-handed in this case; otherwise, the finish can look dull and uneven. Instead, you can apply several layers of wax for added protection.
2. Burnish/Buff
After applying a light layer all over the surface, you can use a trowel to burnish the finish (using the flat edge) while making sure you’re not damaging the surface.
If you want to apply more than one layer of wax, you can repeat these steps once the first layer is completely dry.
Alternatively, if you have the elbow grease for it, you can use a cloth to rub the wax into the plastered surface. This method is more practical if you only have a small area because it requires quite a bit of buffing and polishing to apply the wax.
The best thing about sealing with wax is that it is non-toxic, and it can be reapplied to small areas. If you accidentally damage the finish, you can simply apply more wax over the area to fix it; no need to re-do the entire surface!
Method 2: Sealant
If applying wax is too much work for you but you still want to provide some protection for the painted surface, you can consider using a water-based sealant to go over the latex paint.
As we’ve mentioned, latex paint is water-based, so any water-based sealant will work well to protect the painted surface.
A sealant is more convenient because it can be applied using a few different methods – brush, roller, or spray application. Because of this, you can cover an entire area in a shorter time without too much elbow grease compared to applying wax.
Depending on the formula, a sealant can provide protection against water and the sun’s UV rays, which can cause the paint to fade.
In addition to protecting against fading, a sealant also helps prevent scratches, swirl marks, and other damage to the final finish. It creates a slick surface that makes it much easier to clean without damaging the layer of paint in the process.
With a sealant, you should apply at least two coats of sealant to make sure that your area is properly protected. Depending on the sealant you are opting for. Usually, 2-4 coats will do the trick.
If you are applying more than one coat of sealant, you will need to wait for the first coat to dry completely before going over the area again with another coat of sealant.
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