There is a huge range of tools of various formats for applying and leveling finishing plaster mixes. In this segment, you can find the classic universal trowel of a triangular shape, and the elongated rule for working with large areas without setting beacons. But if the emphasis is on the accuracy and accuracy of leveling the mortar on the surfaces of a small room, then the plaster smoothing machine will be the best solution.
Features of Venetian plaster
The second name of the tool - the Venetian trowel - comes from a variety of Venetian finishes. The design of the ironer is just right for working with such coatings. A feature of this type of plaster is marble styling with a glossy and smooth surface. The device of the Venetian trowel, the photo of which is presented above, just allows you to perform smooth styling with a tolerance of relief up to 1 mm. As for the plaster as such, stone dust is the basis for it - as a rule, marble. But crumbs of malachite, onyx, limestone and quartz with granite can also be used. It is the inclusion of natural stone grains that creates the original decorative effect of the surface. Hydrated lime is used as a binder according to the classical recipe, although today it is increasingly replaced with acrylates in a pure or modified form.
Tool design
Externally, the tool is not much different from a conventional spatula. The fundamental difference can be seen only in the details, but they just cause a special operational effect. The basis of the plastering smoothing is formed by two components - the working metal part and the holder-handle. The first is made of high-strength stainless steel, and the handle is made of plastic or wood. If we talk about the differences, then the worksheet is usually large and rectangular in shape. The second feature is the presence of teeth - both on top and on the sides. Smooth edges allow accurate alignment and smoothing of the plaster composition, and the teeth are designed to prepare the solution for the installation of tile materials. A wave can be formed with teeth, which provides adhesive adhesion during the continuous laying of finishing products with a flat surface. There are also models with only smooth edges.
Dimensional parameters
Against the background of other tools designed for laying primers and plasters, smoothing machines can be positioned as large format ones. But in this class there is a gradation in size:
- The width of the working part is from 120 to 270 mm.
- The length of the working part is from 130 to 480 mm.
- The height of the tooth is an average of 4-6 mm.
- The mass of the tool is from 0.3 to 0.8 kg.
The standard size of the Venetian trowel is the format 130 x 270 mm - respectively, in width and length. This is the optimum size for domestic use, which is suitable for laying both Venetian and conventional plaster.
Mixing and distribution technique
The prepared solution is applied to the ironer using a small trowel. Distribute the mixture in such a way that the same thickness is formed on all parts of the surface. To do this, it is necessary to bring the trowel at a small sharp angle close to the wall and carefully lead to the side or up, distributing the mixture. To provide additional coupling with future cladding, a jagged Venetian trowel is used. With your own hands, you can create a relief effect with any comb device, holding it on a flat surface. But the best effect can be achieved only when using a smoothing iron with serrated edges. Tile glue is usually smoothed with it, positioning the work area at an angle of 30 ° relative to the surface of the base. To create a relief, a small effort should be applied when moving the tool. The larger the angle, the deeper the wake of the comb on the surface of the mixture - the range varies from 25 to 75 degrees. In one pass, the plasterers are advised to lay no more than 1 m 2 of the composition, since a large area in time cannot be qualitatively leveled due to the limited period of polymerization (solidification).
Smoothing plaster
This operation is performed after laying the upper main layer of plaster, the thickness of which is 3-5 mm. A feature of the working technique when smoothing the coating will be to apply the trowel with the entire working plane to the wall. The laid layer is first trimmed with a wooden trowel, and then a metal plastering smoothie with movements in straight directions without circles is included in the work. The pressure is regulated so that the pressure inward is not felt at all, but at the same time, a smoothing effect is provided on the sides. First, the trowel moves from bottom to top, and then horizontally. In the case of the ceiling, the instrument is primarily oriented transversely to the direction of the sun's rays from the window, and then is carried along. This approach will eliminate small shadows that will fall on the plaster in natural light.
Minor defects elimination
In this part of the work, in principle, it is recommended to use tools with a rubber working part, since the mechanical impact should be extremely soft and delicate. At the same time, it is desirable to preserve the large size of the tool, characteristic of a plastering smoothing machine made of metal. Such models are rare, but you can find them. So, the task will be to pinpoint the recesses, cracks and crevices that remained after the final smoothing. It turns out a kind of disguise, which is desirable to perform a plastic and fluid composition. The base of the trowel is applied to the starting point of the defect and pressed. Then you should slowly lead the tool along the entire seam line. Downforce should be absent. The main thing is to put enough solution into the gap to fill it. At the next stage, using the same execution technique, excess solution is removed on the surface of the problem zone.
Features of working with decorative coatings
Working with decorative stucco compositions is characterized in that the installation is carried out without relying on the alignment before the final cladding. That is, the formation of a relief by the teeth is not required at all, but it will be necessary to create the effect of a pronounced texture. So, using a wide Venetian trowel on a freshly applied plaster coating, a needle-like rough surface is created. This effect is achieved in the following way: a smoothing machine is completely applied to the laid and leveled solution, after which it abruptly comes off. In the process of separation, small grooves with solution needles are formed. So that the protruding texture does not break off and retain its shape, initially you should choose a dry mixture on special granules with the same inclusions of natural stone.
Reviews masters about ironing
Professional plasterers note that the tool can be useful in working with problematic compositions when you need to neatly lay the mixture in a short period of time due to fast polymerization. An ordinary spatula will require more time due to its smaller size, and the rule in a normal room is not always convenient to use. Therefore, the versatility of plastering is put in first place. However, from the point of view of ergonomics, this is not the best choice, since the large dimensions of the working part do not allow for minor improvements in hard-to-reach areas and corners. One way or another, experts point out the justification of such an acquisition for both the household and professional tasks. A quality trowel is not cheap for its purpose - about 500-600 rubles, but a good work result in skilled hands will be guaranteed.
Conclusion
The Venetian spatula shows an example of a very common tool for laying various stucco mixtures. On this base there are various modifications designed specifically for grouting, for processing slopes, for corner joints, etc. In the standard version, a trowel for Venetian plaster can be useful both when laying a primer base, and for finishing leveling. The wide working area allows you to keep large masses of solution under control, which speeds up the workflow and provides a more pronounced leveling effect. But, again, it will not be out of place to have at hand a couple of auxiliary craftsmen and half-crafts for performing minor intermediate operations that the ironer will not cope with.