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lime plaster and washed it with raw
oxide pigments just as the plaster was
setting up. Th e house next door was
fi nished with a cement plaster. When
it rains you can see the diff erence. Th e
lime plaster dries out in a few hours but
the cement plaster retains the water — it
stays dark longer,” he says.
Another advantage of natural
plaster is mold and mildew resistance.
Th e pH level of lime inhibits mold
growth. Nelson believes its permeability
also helps prevent mold that might be
supported by trapped moisture. “Vaporpermeable
is better than waterproof,”
he says.
Natural plasters are also fi nding
their place in the roster of green building
products. Longevity is one factor — less
material is used and less waste generated
when recoating is less frequent. Also,
traditional manufacturing methods are
energy-effi cient and off -gas little or no
toxic chemicals.
Fantasy & Faux artistry using Kolcaustico Dining Room – Sargent Architectural Photography
some see a wall,
some see infinite possibilities
Synthetics
Unfortunately, the word “synthetic”
has come to be associated with the poor
performance of cement-based or paintlike
artifi cial plasters. In contrast, there
is a class of engineered synthetic plasters
that deliver desirable handling and
performance benefi ts. Th ese are highend
products that deliver a professional
look. Th ey are only available to the
trade, not to do-it-yourselfers.
Optimizing the formula (think
of it as a recipe with the best new
ingredients) allows suppliers to bring
out certain qualities. Gauthier explains
that these synthetics are usually based
on a modifi ed latex acrylic binder
with marble dust in it. “It takes color
beautifully,” he says, “and has a smooth,
glassy fi nish because there is no
aggregate in it. It can polish to a high
shine and a wax makes it even richer.”
Th e cross-linked polymer of a
high-end acrylic plaster also imparts a
high degree of fl exibility to the fi nished
product, according to Brian Pfaff ,
training and sales manager for the Briste
Group International, Oshawa, Ontario,
Canada. He says the cured plaster can
withstand bending of up to 180 degrees.
Bingham uses some Marmorino
and lime-based plasters, but she says she
achieves many of her best results with
fi ne synthetic plasters. “Th ey are easier
to use. Th ey trowel onto the substrate
smoothly and adhere well. Also, there
are no time-wasting wet-edge issues.
Th e material doesn’t lift up while you
work over it.”
Gauthier describes the same
experience. “With lime plasters you have
to be mindful of the wet edge. You have
to fi nish each coat in one pass. You really
need two people — one to lay it down
and one to follow and close it up — to
fi ll in and compress the material before
the water leaves it. With synthetics you
can stop halfway and not have an edge.”
Unlimited textures and finishes.
Endless color selection.
Unrestricted sheen levels.
The possibilities are endless
when you start with
Kolcaustico Venetian Plaster.
Available at
Star Scenic Supply
Art Stuf
Orlando, Florida
San Francisco, California
800-485-7827
888-278-7883
www.starscenic.com
www.artsuf.com
Dealer inquiries are welcomed at Sepp Leaf Products, Inc., 1-800-971-7377 www.kolcaustico.com
Spring 2008 ◆ www.Hawk-n-Trowel.com ◆ 15