Before applying decorative plaster it is very important to properly prepare the walls. The final type of coverage will depend on the quality of the performance of these works. Decorative plaster is a multilayer coating that is formed on the walls and allows you to get an original texture. The latter may have a different look. It will depend on the size and shape of the filler mixture, as well as the tools that were used for application. Important at this stage is also the method of applying the composition.
Why you should choose decorative plaster
Decorative plaster is quite popular today in the formation of original interiors, it is very popular. The mixture is characterized by an abundance of textures and colors, has a low cost, and provides the possibility of simple and quick application. After drying, a surface is obtained that is not subject to mechanical damage.
The described variety of finishes can be used even when designing exteriors; on sale you can find facade decorative plasters. Among other things, plaster mixes during operation can be cleaned of contaminants. Really beautiful and more practical material for the decor is quite difficult to find.
Preparation for applying structural and textured plasters
You should definitely prepare the walls for decorative plaster, if you plan to use the latter for repairs. Structural and textured mixtures are excellent for applying to any materials, among them:
- concrete;
- brick;
- wood;
- metal.
Plaster allows you to create a surface that has the ability to breathe. The surface after drying is not afraid of moisture, and the service life is measured for decades. Walls before applying these compositions are allowed to be prepared not very carefully. There is no need to level them to an ideal state, because the material during the application process will be able to hide small gaps, swellings and other small flaws.
Step-by-step preparation of walls for decorative plaster involves cleaning the surface of the old finish. Oil stains are removed with a solvent, then the wall should be washed using a soap solution. Deep cracks, if any, should be repaired with cement mortar. Walls must be treated with an antifungal agent. However, if the room is operated at a low level of humidity, then this is not necessary.
Methodology
The next step is to apply a primer. Preparation of walls for decorative plaster involves surface treatment with putty. However, these works should only be carried out after the primer has completely dried. Putty will allow to level a surface. It acts as the basis for applying a decorative composition. If the walls will be treated with a thick relief layer, then the putty may not be used.
After 24 hours, the walls should be treated with an acrylic primer. This composition is necessary to improve grip. After the wall is sanded using fine-grained sandpaper. On this we can assume that the preliminary work is completed. Preparation should not cause real difficulties.
Removing old plaster coat
The preparation of walls for decorative plaster with your own hands necessarily involves the removal of the old plaster layer. It will be necessary to clean the wall also from whitewashing, wallpaper and old layers of paint. The surface is well cleaned until you reach the base. The walls need to be vacuumed well, which especially applies to crevices. They should be washed using any cleaning solution. This is required for several reasons. Indeed, otherwise the hitch with the rough surface will be very unreliable. If the wall is covered with paint, then the plaster layer will not hold. In addition, this will allow to identify defects that were previously hidden under the finishing material.
It is important to highlight another factor that favors the need to clean the walls of old coatings. It consists in carrying out additional processing, the features of which will depend on the base material. If you have to work with walls in a newly built house, then this item should be skipped.
Features of preparation before applying Venetian plaster
Wall preparation for decorative plastering can be carried out using different technologies, which will depend on the final composition. If we are talking about Venetian plaster, then the preliminary work needs to be given more time and effort. This is due to the fact that the decorative material has some features.
Walls should be carefully and thoroughly cleaned of dirt. Old whitewash and paint are removed. The cleaned walls are then carefully sanded. Alignment is carried out with putty. This stage must be approached with high responsibility. If the walls are not even, then the attractiveness of Venetian plaster will be invisible, because it has several transparent layers, the number of which can reach three.
Specialist recommendations
Preparing walls for decorative plaster requires the need for grinding. These works must be carried out manually. The use of a grinding machine should be abandoned, because even the smallest bumps and irregularities need to be processed. A primer is applied to the leveled walls, a deep penetration solution should be selected.
It is necessary to bring the walls to perfect condition. On them, all cracks and gaps must be repaired. Sometimes these works have to be repeated several times, so by and large the manipulations during this type of work are quite laborious. However, without them it makes no sense to apply Venetian stucco; in this case, it will not be able to provide a stunning effect.
Additional recommendations for choosing a primer
Preparation for decorative wall plastering, the technology of which is described in the article, involves the application of soil. It must be chosen correctly. It is necessary to consider the structure of the coating. On the shelves of shops you can find a wide range of primers. In order to make the right choice, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with which primer is better to prefer for certain surfaces.
For example, alkyd compounds are perfectly applied to wood that has not been previously prepared. In this case, it is possible to achieve alignment of the structure and create a smooth surface for applying plaster. The advantages of this mixture should include a fairly quick drying. You can use a polystyrene primer, its application is permissible even on plastered surfaces. However, these drugs include substances that can harm health.
Before you prepare the walls for decorative plaster, the rules must be considered. Having familiarized yourself with them, you will be able to understand that a special-purpose primer is excellent for metal surfaces. This is usually a composition with zinc additives. It is possible to use an alkyd primer mixture with the addition of zinc, this composition provides corrosion protection. It is better not to apply glyphthalic mixtures on metal surfaces, since they are characterized by a long drying period.
Secrets of Masters
If you will be preparing the walls for decorative plaster, then you need to follow a few rules. It is not necessary to purchase putty mixes on alabaster and oil-glue bases. Any other formulations may be preferred. The thickness of the primer should be 2 mm or more.
Putty is recommended to be applied on a sickle, which is a self-adhesive mesh. Distribute it on the wall. The surface treatment should be carried out with a spatula of large width. Preparation of walls for decorative plaster is carried out using a primer. Acrylic blends are recommended.
Conclusion
Quite often, home craftsmen today independently prepare the walls for decorative plaster. The consumption of a given composition will depend on the type of mixture. If we are talking about Venetian plaster, then its consumption varies from 70 to 200 g per square meter. Approximately 3 kg of bark beetle will be consumed per square meter. Everything will depend on the base material and layer thickness.
For the reason that plaster is quite expensive, to reduce its consumption it is better to smooth the surfaces as carefully as possible. This is the preparation of the walls for decorative plaster. Features of these works may consist in the application of cement-sand plaster or the installation of a foam insulation layer. The second option is very practical, if you finish the house in this way, it will be warm and beautiful.