Grotto effect and technique of stencils
Applying decorative plaster with Grotto technique and stencils is a perfect option to create an interesting and expressive design on the walls.
"Grotto" is a special effect, which imitates the texture and appearance of natural stone or stalactites, which you can find in the caves or grots. In other words, this is a harmonic combination of gloss and matt coating, which is achieved by the combination of decorative plaster MARMORINO TM Maxima-decor and Venetian plaster STUCCO VENEZIANO TM Maxima-decor.
Stencils allow the immediate creation of definite pictures or patterns. In this article, you'll get to know, how to work with stencils and create the effect of Grotto.
Рriming
Priming is a necessary stage.
Apply on the surface deep penetrating primer-concentrate 1:10 AQUA PRIMER TM Maxima with a roller or a brush.
Before you start applying decorative coating, cover the areas, which are not meant to be coated, with masking tape and film.
Applying of a base coating
Quartz Primer TM Maxima-decor has a high level of adhesion to the base surface. Using primer makes applying and forming decorative coatings easier.
Apply adhesive primer with quartz filler QUARTZ PRIMER TM Maxima-decor. As a tool use a roller with a 7-12 mm pile and roll it well to achieve a maximally smooth surface.
Applying a decorative stucco: 1st coat
Apply MARMORINO TM Maxima-decor on the whole area of the surface.
Applying the stencil
Decide before applying, where you will set stencil patterns on the surface. Fix the stencil with masking tape on the surface.
Apply MARMORINO TM Maxima-decor on the area of the stencil. Remove carefully the stencil.
Forming the texture
Create texture "a map of the world" on the areas free of the stencil. Apply MARMORINO TM Maxima-decor with chaotic movements taking off the trowel from the surface. Leave it to dry for 30 minutes. Smooth the surface.
Tinting the wax
Carefully manually stir wax CERA TM Maxima-decor and tint it with a pigment concentrate "FARBEX COLOR" in three tones: grey, green and brown-red before applying.
We chose for tinting the following pigment concentrates: black, green, coral and beige. Due to the brightness and saturation of the pigment, its consumption will be minimal.
Grinding
Grind the whole surface except zones, where is stencil pattern is and remove abrasive dust.
Tinting the Venetian plaster
Tint the decorative coating STUCCO VENEZIANO TM Maxima-decor in green color.
Carefully manually stir STUCCO VENEZIANO adding green and black pigment concentrates "FARBEX COLOR". Due to pigments' brightness and saturation, its consumption will be minimal.
Grotto effect
Creating effect Grotto you will need Venetian plaster STUCCO VENEZIANO TM Maxima-decor. Before applying STUCCO VENEZIANO TM Maxima-decor dilute it with water.
Apply STUCCO VENEZIANO TM Maxima-decor on the area with the texture "the map of the world" with a roller.
Right after applying, smooth the surface with a stainless steel spatula. Apply STUCCO VENEZIANO TM Maxima-decor in 2-3 layers. Don't wait till the previous layer gets dry.
Grinding
Grind the surface, where the Venetian plaster was applied. Remove dust with a brush.
Stencil decoration
Apply decorative acrylic enamel Touch of Magic TM Maxima on the stencils, combining graphite and bronze colors.
Applying of wax
Apply CERA LAVABILE TM Maxima-decor on the surface with Grotto effect.
- 23.08.2023