Working with Metallic Plaster

What is pretty about this picture?

Well, Daisy is cute, but it is the wall that has a metallic plaster finish. 

It seems that everyone I know has this finish in their home but me. However, in the last few weeks, that has changed. I am late to the party no more.  

In the past, Sis and I have plastered dining rooms, bedrooms, and baths; and I can honestly say that it is one of our favorite finishes. The best thing about this wall treatment is that it keeps changing with every step that you take and with every passing hour. Metallic plaster doesn't dazzle. It is more subdued than that. It glimmers as you pass by, more like candle light. Just beautiful.

This is Faux Effects' metallic plaster, Champagne Mist, which I have loved from the start.

Most decorative paint companies carry a line of metallic plaster; for instance, Faux Effects has Lusterstone; Perfetto has Portofino; Modern Masters has Metallic Plaster. All are very similar. Also, metallic plaster comes in a multitude of colors, which can be tinted with universal colors for the exact color that you are looking for. Although the product was developed as a wall treatment, I have seen it used on furniture and even canvas fine art pieces. 

If you are interested in trying to create this effect yourself, let me run you though some basic steps. (I will assume that you are covering a wall) 

First Layer:  Base coat your wall close to the color of metallic plaster that you have chosen in a satin finish. 

   

Second Layer: Dilute your metallic plaster with water approximately 15 to 20 percent. It should be thin enough so that it is easy to roll on with a paint roller: work quickly, rolling in all directions randomly. Try for 100 percent coverage. Think of this layer as a scratch coat. Let dry. 

Third Layer: Pay close attention to this layer. With your trowel, take your time and trowel on the metallic plaster in a random pattern. Try not to create too many seashell patterns with your trowel because they will stand out like a sore thumb later. What you are creating with this layer is slight peaks and valleys. The peaks will be burnished by the following layer. Coverage 80 to 85 percent. Let dry. 

Fourth and final layer: Dilute your metallic plaster 10 percent. While applying a small amount of pressure with your trowel, trowel on a thin, random layer while burnishing. Try for full coverage. Your metallic plaster is made up of metallic mica flakes suspended in an acrylic base. When you compress the mica flakes with your trowel on the last layer, you are forcing more of the flakes on the third layer to lie flat, which then becomes more reflective. And there you have it: a beautiful wall.

 

Notes:

1) Very few of us live in homes with smooth walls. So before you begin, you will have to decide if you want to skim coat your walls. Some people do, while others do not. I like a less textured wall while working with metallic plaster because of the problem of texture telegraphing through while burnishing, so I always opt for skim coating, which means skim coating the walls with joint compound, sanding and priming. But this is entirely up to you. I realize that it is messy, and that sanding it later is the pits; but it makes a big difference.  

2) You have to do a sample board to really get the feel for what is happening. Then everything will fall into place for you. 

3) For your first try, a small, flat niche area would be perfect or a small accent wall.

4) On all the trowels that you use, round off all of the corners with a file and sand paper all burs down until smooth. 

5) Nothing is written in stone. I have seen very pretty metallic finishes done over different colored base paints. Copper metallic plaster over a deep forest green comes to mind. Also, Stencils can be used as well. Experiment and have fun......Sandy