INTRO

At Violante, our passion is bringing authentic Italian lime plasters to a wider audience. Every product in our line is made in Italy with natural minerals and designed to work together as a system. When used properly, these materials create stunning finishes that are both timeless and durable.

This guide will walk you through key information, best practices, and application techniques so you can get the best possible results from our plasters.

THE SYSTEM

Our primers and plasters are engineered to work together. Think of them like puzzle pieces: each one is crafted with a specific granulation size (from fine Grassello to coarser Marmorino finishes). When applied in sequence, these sizes lock together seamlessly, saving you time, reducing errors, and producing more refined finishes.

By contrast, products that are not designed to work as a system often resist one another, requiring more effort and producing less predictable results.

APPLICATION BASICS

PREPARE THE SURFACE

Make sure the wall is smooth, clean, and dry. If you’re working over an existing painted wall, scrape off any loose paint, patch holes or cracks with joint compound, and wipe away dust or grease with a damp cloth. For the best outcome, aim for a Level 4 or 5 finish, which means a very smooth wall.

PRIMER

Stir the primer well before use and apply one even coat across the entire wall with a roller or brush. On new construction with Level 5 drywall, you may dilute the primer 25% with clean water for easier spreading.

Allow the primer to dry 12–24 hours before plastering. For deep, dark colors, it’s best to tint the primer to a darker shade so no white shows through.

FIRST COAT

Stir your plaster thoroughly with a paddle mixer, especially if tinted. Using a stainless steel Venetian plaster trowel, hold the blade at a 15–30° angle and apply a thin coat, pressing firmly to push plaster into the wall.

Work in overlapping strokes until the surface is covered while also going back to remove any excess plaster along the way. Do not apply too thickly—thin coats bond better and dry more evenly. Allow to dry for 12–24 hours.

SECOND COAT

Apply a second thin coat using the same trowel. Keep your strokes overlapping and consistent, adjusting the motion to achieve the look you want. Tighter, shorter strokes create a choppier, more active movement, while wider strokes produce a smoother, more subtle flow.

For Marmorino finishes, this is the stage where you move directly into the burnishing process to develop depth and sheen. For Grassello, however, you will need to apply a very tight third coat to achieve the refined, mirror-like surface before burnishing.

THIRD COAT

For Grassello, a tight third coat is essential if you want a refined, high-gloss finish. This coat should be applied thin — almost like you are stretching the plaster across the surface rather than laying down new material. Be sure to remove all excess plaster from this coat.

Keep your trowel at a shallow angle (about 15–20°) and use controlled, overlapping strokes to compress the plaster into the second coat. The goal here is to begin closing the surface, eliminating voids or drag marks, so it is perfectly smooth and ready to burnish.

BURNISHING

Burnishing is what gives Venetian plaster its depth and shine. The key is timing. Wait until the plaster is not dry but still slightly damp — firm to the touch but still cool. Too wet and it will smear, too dry and it won’t polish.

Use a clean stainless steel trowel with rounded edges. Hold it at a 45° angle and work in overlapping strokes with moderate to firm pressure. Each pass compresses the lime and marble, creating sheen. Fewer, lighter passes give a soft satin look; stronger pressure and multiple passes can produce a mirror-like polish, especially with Grassello.

Work evenly across the wall in different directions, keeping the trowel clean to avoid scratches or drag marks. For Marmorino, burnishing after the second coat enhances movement and texture. For Grassello, burnishing is done after the tight third coat for its signature marble-like gloss.

Common Mistakes:

  • Burnishing while plaster is still too wet (causes smears and drag marks).
  • Waiting until it’s fully dry (surface won’t respond).
  • Using a dirty or nicked trowel (leaves scratches).