How to Apply Antique Stucco & Plaster Wall Finishes

Antique stucco and plaster finishes add texture to walls and ceilings. You'll typically apply the plasters using joint compound, followed by paint and glaze. The application method of the plaster, whether troweled or rolled on, determines what type of finish you will create. Walls will have an Old World, aged finish similar to wall surfaces seen in primitive castles and homes in Europe. Transform a brand- new wall surface into an aged, plaster look by utilizing several faux finish techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum cleaner
• Sponge
• Painter's tape
• Old credit or library card
• Drop cloths
• Plastic sheeting
• Bonding primer
• Paint roller
• Paint tray
• Angled trim brush
• Mini roller
• Sanding block
• Rag or sea sponge
• Latex paint
• Preparation
• Glaze

Instructions

Preparation

1. Vacuum all cobwebs from corners of walls. Wash walls with a damp sponge to remove dust and debris

2. Mask off all surfaces with painter's tape. Apply the tape to the trim, molding, window frames and opposite walls. Burnish the tape to avoid any seeping paint. Rub the tape with a fingernail, or use an old credit card to ensure the tape has firmly stuck to the surface.

3. Remove all decor and furniture from the room. Take down all pictures from the walls. Lay drop cloths onto the floor's surface and smooth them to remove any wrinkles. Cover all remaining items with plastic sheeting for added protection.

Primer

1. Add a bonding primer to the wall. Paint the primer onto the wall using a roller. Roll the primer onto the walls using even, vertical strokes to cover the surface.

2. Apply the bonding primer to the perimeter of the wall using an angled trim brush. Lightly glide the tip of the brush along the edge of the wall's surface, where the roller could not reach. Add one coat of paint around the perimeter. Do not add a thick amount of paint; the paint may drip and seep underneath the painter's tape.

3. Allow the primer to dry for 24 hours prior to adding plaster.

Plaster Methods

1. Apply plaster using one of the following methods:

   Use lightweight joint compound to create texture on the wall's surface.

   Create an organic pattern referred to as a "skip trowel" by using a dry wall trowel with beveled edges.

   Lightly apply plaster to the wall by skipping over the wall, leaving some of the wall's surface untouched.

2. Roll on the plaster using a mini roller. Roll the plaster in different directions, leaving spikes and angles on the walls. Lightly smooth the area with a drywall trowel to create a smooth textured appearance.

3. Next, roll on another coat of plaster with the mini roller---always roll in a vertical pattern. Make the last roll moving upward. From the top of the wall, knock down the peaks the plaster has formed with a trowel, which will create elongated vertical pits.

4. Allow the plaster to dry for 24 hours. Lightly sand using a foam sanding block. Wipe down all walls with a damp rag

Paint and Glaze

1. Paint the room using a long nap roller used for rough surfaces. Apply one to two coats of latex satin paint. Use a red or brown base coat for a leather look. Paint the walls light yellow ochre for an Italian Tuscan feel. Apply a coat of light beige or taupe for a neutral-color palette.

2. Mix together one part paint and four parts glaze. Apply the glaze by rolling on with a mini roller, then remove some of the glaze by pouncing with a rag or sea sponge.

3. Always start at the top left or right corner of a wall and work downward. When reaching the bottom of the wall, move back to the top. Continue to work the method until you have completed the entire wall. Never stop glazing a wall unless you have finished the project, which will cause dark lines will appear. Allow the glaze to dry for 24 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Always practice the technique, from plastering to glazing, on a sample board. Use drywall, poster board or foam core to practice techniques and colors.

References

• Muralsplus