Understanding Materials and home improvement products          

Material Basics - Understanding Materials

Understanding the products you use - and using the correct vocabulary - helps get the job done right the first time.


3 Steps to successfully starting your next project

Know your Materials

Primers, Paint, Glazes, Adhesives, Sealers, Decorative Plasters Understand about the best type of material to use for your project. Learn how to best prepare your project for optimal results. And do it all in a safe and evironmentally conscious manner. Think safe, be safe!



primers for walls and furniture

Primers

A primer acts as a barrier coat between existing (original) surface and finish coats of paint. Primers bond with and act as a ‘ground’ for subsequent paint application, gilding and varnished treatments.

Primers differ in make-up, and various types are commercially available for use in a variety of functions.

Oil / Alkyd primers

Oil / Alkyd primers act as excellent primers for exterior surfaces, wood and metal. Best suited for a base to oil based paints, the use of acrylic paint over oil-based primers is also acceptable.

Oil and water based interior and exterior paint, such as products by Paintmanufacture , can be applied over oil-based primers.

The reverse is not true; it is generally a rule of thumb never to apply oil based paint products and varnished over water-based primers.


Acrylic / Latex primers

Acrylic primers, such as Ben Moore primer , are commonly used for interior and exterior surfaces, furniture and objects. Its quick drying time allows for quicker final results. Not recommended for metal, glass or other non-porous substrates. For high traffic zones or heavily used areas oil based primers are recommended.


Gesso

Gesso is a primer suited for canvases, furniture and objects. There are 2 basic types of gesso: Genuine Gesso and Acrylic Gesso.

Genuine Gesso Traditionally used for the ground for paintings and furniture, and in traditional gilding methods. Traditionally made from a combination of animal hide glue (rabbit), titanium dioxide, marble dust and water. The consistency of genuine gesso can be adjustGessoed and when made into a paste can be used to create raised relief, and ornate elements for frames and decorative furniture, and for religious icons. Its quick set time allows for rapid build up and can be easily carved and shaped to any desired form.

Acrylic Gesso An acrylic polymer with titanium dioxide that replicates the effects of genuine ground gesso. Primarily used for priming canvas for fine art paintings, both oil and water based.


Shellac

Denatured alcohol based. Shellac is found in a clear form or slightly amber in color. Also, white-pigmented shellac, such as BIN, becomes an excellent primer. Pigmented shellac has strong adhesion properties and is suitable for use with wood, metal, plaster and plastic. It is a very fast drying product and should be used in a well-ventilated room. The fast drying and strong adhesion qualities makes for a great primer for both oil and acrylic based paints.

Safety: Shellac is toxic. Ventilate area well. Always use disposable gloves

Clean up with Denatured Alcohol. Dispose properly of used product and materials at your local facility.

Shellac is a rapidly evaporating product that provides quick drying time and a rapid bond with the surface. Allow time to harden before applying additional coats.

Pigmented shellac, such as BIN, found in aerosol spray cans are ideal for priming cover plates for light switches and electrical outlet covers.


Quick Chart - Using the correct primer
Surface type of primer clean-up solvent
Metal - except stainless steel oil based/alkyd mineral spirits
  pigmented shellac denatured alcohol
Stainless Steel Etching Primer
Wood oil based/alkyd mineral spirit
  water based/latex water with soap
  pigmented shellac denatured alcohol
Plaster oil based/alkyd mineral spirit
  water based/latex water with soap
  pigmented shellac denatured alcohol
Stone and brick oil based/alkyd mineral spirit
  Quartz primer water
  pigmented shellac denatured alcohol
Marble and granite oil based/alkyd mineral spirit
Linoleum oil based/alkyd mineral spirit

paint for walls and furniture

Paint

A paint is created by mixing ground pigment (powdered colors) with a liquid, typically referred to as a 'vehicle'. Paint dries to an even, continuous surface and is used for decorative or protective purposes.

Depending on the type of paint, the vehicle may be of various different forms, such as linseed oil in Artist oil paints, egg yolk for tempera painting and polyresin in acrylics, to name a few.


Quick Chart - Understanding paint
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Paint type Drying time Thinner/solvent Clean up Durabilty
Oil Slow Mineral Spirits Mineral Spirits Strong
Alkyd Slow Mineral Spirits Mineral Spirits Strong
Acrylic - Synthetic Polymers Fast Water Water Medium
Latex Fast Water Water Medium
Casein - Milk Paint Fast Water Water Medium
Enamel Slow Mineral Spirits Mineral Spirits Strong
Encaustic Wax Fast Mineral Spirits Mineral Spirits Medium
Ink Fast Water Water Medium
Lacquer Fast Lacquer Thinner Lacquer Thinner Strong
Japan Pigment Fast Mineral Spirits Mineral Spirits Strong
Watercolor Fast Water Water Medium
Gauche Fast Water Water Medium
Tempera Paint Fast Water Water Medium
Lime Paint Fast Water Water Strong
Perminent marker Fast Denatured Alcohol Denatured Alcohol Strong

solvents and thinners for paint

Solvents and thinners

A solvent is a solution that breaks down the essential properties of paints and varnishes, lacquer, shellac, oils, grease and adhesive residues. There are many different kinds of solvents, each performing a specific reaction (function) with a specific product. All solvents, except for water, have a toxic effect on organic tissue, biochemical, physiochemical and neurochemical. Use with care and always dispose of properly.

Safety: It is important to use caution with solvents. Always use appropriate protective gear on all exposed body areas, especially the hands and eyes. Always work in a well-ventilated room. Refrain from smoking of working near heat sources as many solvents are flammable.Safety: All solvents should be properly disposed of at your local facility.

Water:

Water acts as general solvent and thinner with virtually all water based interior and exterior paints and varnishes. Most latex, acrylic products break down in water. Artist acrylic paints , watercolor, gauche, tempura paint all use water as the dilution agent.

Mineral spirits (White spirits):

Mineral spirits is a petroleum-based product. Mineral spirits is an oil based solvent ideally used for thinning oil based exterior and interior varnishes, such as oil varnish , and paint products, as well as an efficient solvent for artist’s oil paints.

Turpentine:

Turpentine is an effective solvent for oil and alkyd based paints and varnishes, and removing tar, grease and tree sap. Genuine turpentine has a strong odor and is becoming less commonly used in the painting and art industries. Many substitute products have arrived on the market that performs essentially the same function, with less noxious vapors. Some of the substitutes include mineral spirits and turpenoid.

Turpenoid:

Turpenoid is a turpentine substitute with limited odor, ideally suited for artist oil painting.

Acetone:

A moderately aggressive solvent. Acetone is often used to clean glass, general dirt and grime. In restoration and conservation practices acetone is often used to clean dirt, soot and grime from paintings and furniture. It is also used for the slow dissolving of varnished paintings, to clean, then re-varnish the painting.

Naptha:

Similar to Acetone, naptha is a moderately aggressive solvent. Naptha is often used to clean glass, general dirt and grime. In restoration and conservation practices naptha is often used to clean dirt, soot and grime from paintings and furniture. It is also used for the slow dissolving of varnished paintings, to clean, then re-varnish the painting.

Denatured Alcohol:

A solvent primarily used to dilute and dissolve shellac and aniline dyes. Denatured alcohol also acts as a semi-aggressive cleaning agent. Always test on a non-visible surface before using denatured alcohol for cleaning purposes.

Lacquer thinner:

Used to dilute, dissolve and clean up of lacquer products. Typically too caustic for oil paints, lacquer thinner is often used additionally for removing inks on metal, and adhesive residue from a variety of surfaces. Lacquer thinner is very strong and rapidly deteriorates many surfaces and fabrics. Always test in inconspicuous area before use.

Kerosene

Though typically used as a fuel, kerosene has very strong solvent properties. For ‘oil glazing’ in decorative finishing, kerosene is sometimes employed to make the glaze ‘hot’, increasing the workable time with the glaze, as well as ‘fusing’ with a glaze previously applied. No more than a capful per gallon is used and adding kerosene to any paint product is not recommended.

Safety: Kerosene is highly flammable. Always use in a well-ventilated area. Wear protective gear over all exposed areas of the body. Do not smoke or use near any open heat source.

Gasoline:

Typically used as a fuel, gasoline has very strong solvent properties. Often used to remove grease, tar, and waxes. Gasoline makes an excellent solvent for cleaning tools and metal parts.

Safety: Gasoline is highly flammable. Always use in a well-ventilated area. Wear protective gear over all exposed areas of the body. Do not smoke or use near any open heat source.

MEK (methyl ethyl ketone):

A highly caustic solvent. Always use protective hand and eyewear. Used to dissolve some of the more determined paint problems. Removal of hardened paint on hardware such as hinges and doorknobs by soaking in MEK are common uses for this product. Always test before applying MEK on any object or surface as the powerful solvent qualities of MEK can quickly damage or destroy the item.


primers for walls and furniture

Glaze and Glazing:

Definition Glaze refers to a substance that is thinned to create a transparent or translucent film of color. Diluting any paint substance, tinted varnish or tinted water essentially can produce a glaze.

For decorative finishes and faux finishes, glazes are typically created using color suspended in a medium known as glazing liquid or glaze coat (not to be confused with ‘glazing’, a putty used for securing glass in window frames). Glaze coat can be found in both alkyd (oil based) form and acrylic latex (water based) form. Glaze coat is best tinted with mixol tinters (also known as universal tinters or universal colorant) to maintain clarity of color, but can also be tinted using Artists paint in tubes. Artists’ oil paint for alkyd glaze coat and Artists’ acrylic for latex glaze coat. Japan pigment also makes an excellent tinter for use with alkyd glaze coat.

Refer to the thinners area in this section for dilution methods and proper use of products, thinners and clean up.

For fine art painting techniques, glazes are often created without use of glaze coat, but can be made by using tinted acrylic medium, liquine, water, turpentine, mineral spirits and varnishes, to name a few.

Watercolor painting is essentially a glazing process, by applying thinned water color pigment in transparent glazes, one layers color on color, to produce the desired depth of color, color tone, and transparency.

Glazes can be produced simply from a tea or coffee mixture, as well as many common items from around the home.

Tinted varnishes are often used to create a glaze for antiquing or color adjustments on floors, furniture, and objects.

For Glazing techniques and decorative finishes refer to artSparx faux effects center.


sealers for walls and furniture

Sealers:

Definition A sealer is a substance used to protect a surface from oxidation, natural deterioration and physical abuse. Numerous types of sealers are found commercially, each providing a specific solution for a sealers needs.

A sealer is a substance used to protect a surface from oxidation, natural deterioration and physical abuse. Numerous types of sealers are found commercially, each providing a specific solution for a sealers needs.

The term ‘varnish’ has become a common word referring to a general sealer. There are considerable differences between varnishes and other sealers and for accurate results the proper terminologies should be used.

Varnish:

Varnish typically is petroleum based or tree sap based clear sealer. Varying degrees of sheens are found, from matt (flat), to eggshell, satin (pearl), semi-gloss and gloss (high gloss). Most commonly used for furniture, floors, objects, and the ship building industries. Varnish comes in 2 basic categories, oil based and water based. Each category has different types, for example, Spar varnish, Damar varnish, re-touch varnish.

Oil: A petroleum based product that is very durable. It has a longer drying time than it's acrylic counterparts, and some forms may slightly yellow over time, and when exposed to natural light. Recommended for commercial use and any areas that have high traffic zones. Solvent: Mineral spirits, turpentine.

Acrylic: Acrylic varnishes have now greatly supplemented its longer drying oil based counterparts. The quick application time, fast drying, durability and easy clean up make acrylic varnishes ideal for interior uses. Acrylic varnishes remain clear after drying and are commonly used for floor sealing, objects and furniture. Solvent: water.

Never shake varnish. Only stir it to mix properly. Shaking will create air bubbles in the varnish. This can result in poor application and an irregular finished surface.

A few excellent varnish products for floors, furniture and objects are latex varnish , a latex-water based sealer, and oil varnish , an oil based sealant.

Shellac:

Shellac is produced from the secretions of a bug, deposited on branches of trees in India. Shellac can be diluted with denatured alcohol to make the shellac workable, or to dissolve and remove shellac. Typically used on furniture, shellac can be used as a fast drying sealer. French Polish and simulated lacquer techniques employ the use of shellac as a sealer. Solvent: denatured Alcohol.

White pigmented shellac:

Products such as BIN is commercially available. Essentially a combination of shellac, denatured alcohol and titanium dioxide, pigmented shellac makes an excellent fast drying sealer, especially good for covering water spots, bare wood that has sap exposure and surfaces that may have slight grease or wax build up. Solvent: denatured alcohol.

Warning: Shellac when mixed with denatured alcohol, is highly toxic. It has a strong odor and should always be used in a well-ventilated area. Respirators and protective gear is recommended with the use of any shellac product.

Lacquer:

Used commonly in the industrial environment, particularly in the automotive industry and furniture production. Lacquer is well suited for mass production processes. Lacquers are typically made of nitro-cellulose, cellulose acetate, and other forms of cellulose. Lacquers dissolve in special solvents such as acetone, ethyl acetate, butyl alcohol, etc. Lacquers should not be used in Fine Art painting as its level of permanence is low. Pigmented lacquers display signs of deterioration in as little as 10 years, from exposure to daylight. Lacquers are often used because of their fast drying time.

Natural lacquer (Oriental):

Exude natural from trees in a liquid state. Natural lacquer is used for local producti

on and is not exported. Solvent: Lacquer thinne. Warning: Lacquer is highly toxic. It has a strong odor and should always be used in a well-ventilated area. Respirators and protective gear is recommended with the use of any lacquer product.

Urethane, Polyurethane and Varathane:

These are derivatives of varnish. Each maintains a particular property that makes it suited for specific functions. Primarily due to hardness, elasticity, and yellowing qualities over a period of time and exposure to light. Floors, furniture and objects are ideally suited for urethane sealers. Surfaces requiring a barrier of protection to oxygen, water or moisture, and physical damage over the course of use are candidates for protection of a varnish product. Solvent: Mineral Spirits, turpentine, turpenoid.


paint brushes for walls and furniture

Brushes

Brushes are manufactured in many different forms and have specific functions. Brushes are used in the commercial and residential paint industries, the artist communities, and cosmetics and cooking.

anatomy of an artist brush natomy of a paint brush
Quick Chart - Types of paint brushes
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Oil paint brushes

Acrylic paint brushes

Water Color brushes

Hogs hair - Bristle brushes

Sable Hair brushes

Commercial and home use bristle
Synthetic hair brushes

oil / varnish

latex / acrylic

Decorative brushes

Sable hair

Dusting brushes

Badger softener or blender

stippling brush

Varnish brushes

Mops, camel hair

Fitch

Stencilling

Lining brush

Quill brusues

Graining

Gilding Brushes

Flat mops

Round mops

Gilder's Tip brushes

Artist Brushes

tinters for paint

Tinters

MIXOL - Mixol is a binder-free multi-purpose tinting paste - not a ready paint!

The product is very popular with faux finishers who want to color-correct a batch of paint.

Mixol forms no skin or lumps and will not dry out. It can be stored for many years and so it is extremely economical.

Mixol, a high-quality tinting paste made in Germany, is highly concentrated and will add color to almost any type of paint or coating materials. A binder-free, glycol-based product, Mixol is made for hand mixing and is easily suspended in water, oil or solvent bases. Colors are so concentrated that Mixol is usually measured by drops, not ounces.


sandpaper grits and strencth

Sandpaper

Definition: Types: There are different types of sandpaper, each has a specific use. Generally there are 2 categories of sand paper, wet and dry. Sand papers are primarily made of sand and/or silica and garnet, adhered to a ground of resin on paper.

Grades of paper: Sandpaper is manufactured in many grades, also known as levels of coarseness, or ‘grit’. The lower the grade, or grit of sandpaper, the coarser, and stronger abrading power of that paper.

Quick Chart - Types and Grades of Sandpaper
Coarseness or Grit Use
30 grit Extremely coarse
60 grit

oil / varnish

Coarse

80 grit Coarse - recommended for removing rust from metal, difficult dried paint areas
100 grit Coarse - recommended for removing rust from metal, difficult dried paint areas
120 Grit Recommended for general purpose, drywall patches
180 Grit Recommended for general purpose, drywall patches
220 Grit Rcommended for general purpose, furniture
240 Grit Rcommended for general purpose, furniture
320 Grit Recommended for general purpose, furniture and first sand for fine finishing
400 Grit Recommended for fine finishing, polishing, gilding
600 Grit Recommended for fine finishing, polishing, gilding
800 Grit Recommended for fine finishing, polishing, gilding
1,000 Grit Recommended for fine finishing, polishing, gilding
1,200 Grit Recommended for hand rubbed finishes, fine finishing, polishing, gilding
1,500 Grit Recommended for hand rubbed finishes, fine finishing, polishing, jewelry
2,000 Grit Recommended for hand rubbed finishes, fine finishing, polishing, jewelry<
Sanding methods:

Knowing your intention for the finished product before starting will make it easier to properly prepare the item being treated. The common approach to sanding is to begin with a lower grit paper, or coarser paper, and increase the fineness of the sandpaper until desired results are achieved.

Wood:

For best results, always sand in the direction of the wood grain. Typically 100 grit or 120 grit is recommended to remove or smooth out any paint or dirt on the surface being addressed. A final pass with 220 grit to 360 grit will create a sufficiently smooth surface for painting, staining and varnishing.

Metal:

Begin with loosening and scraping any loose paint or rust with a metal-toothed brush or coarse steel wool. Starting with a coarse grade of sandpaper move regularly over surface. Continue in this manner with increasingly finer grades of sandpaper until sufficient level of desired smoothness.

Plaster:

For plaster surfaces such as drywall, 120 grit to 180 grit should be sufficient for most surfaces. Plaster quickly wears away, and the surface of fine sandpaper can easily become filled with plaster dust, rendering fine sandpaper ineffective.


paint brushes for walls and furniture

Paint Remover

Paint removers, varnish removers and wax removers: There are numerous techniques and products available commercially to remove paint, varnishes and waxes from surfaces such as floors, trim, doors and window frames, furniture and objects.

Safety:

Strippers are highly caustic, can cause sever chemical burns to skin and clothing and can quickly destroy a surface due to spilling, or spattering during brushing. Always wear protective gear over any exposed area of the body. Isolate area or object to be stripped and protect surrounding areas with newspaper or drop cloths. Always work in a well-ventilated area.

Liquid strippers and gel strippers:

Strippers commonly found in local paint and hardware supply stores. Brush onto surface with a disposable brush, allow to surface to soften, then remove material with the edge of a scraper or razor blade. Repeat until surface is clear of paint, varnish or wax. Wipe surface with a clean rag. Always dispose of brushes, buckets and rags properly.

After stripping paint, varnish or wax from wood surfaces, a light sanding, always in the direction of the wood grain, may be required before proceeding to next step in the re-finishing process.

Stripping paper:

A paper that has a stripping agent on one side. Often used for areas that have suffered multiple coats of paint or varnish build up. Sometimes left on over night to soften surface, stripping paper make excellent work on metal objects, such as I-beams, furniture and railings. The used of paper strippers reduces clean up and mess. As for all stripping products, test in a non-visible area prior to use.

Heat gun:

A simple and effective, non-chemical approach to stripping. Best used for furniture and interior woodwork and trim. Latex paint succumbs easily to heat stripping. Oil based paints may also remove quickly, however, older homes and furniture with many layers of paint and varnish may be difficult to remove in this manner.


painters blue tape low tack

Painter's Tape

Generally refers to paper or plastic that has adhesive on one or both sides. There are many varieties of tape and each has a specific function.

Masking:

A general-purpose adhesive tape.

Painters tape:

A low tack tape used especially in commercial and residential painting. Their low adhesive quality makes it particularly useful for masking furniture, and delicate wall surfaces such as wallpaper. Stronger tapes like masking tape can pull the surface finish off of furniture or run a higher risk of tearing wallpaper when removed.

To create your own low-tack tape using regular masking tape, tear desired length strips of tape. Stick to your shirt or other fabric. Remove and repeat. This process catches lint in the adhesive, and subsequently reduces the stickiness or tackiness of the tape.

Always remove tape at the completion of each working session on a project. The risk of damage to the masked surface increases proportionately with time. Even over night maybe enough time for the adhesive to dry sufficiently to tear or pull off wallpaper or paint from the masked area.

Low tack:

Sometimes referred to as Painter’s tape or Blue tape. Their low adhesive quality makes it particularly useful for masking furniture, and delicate wall surfaces such as wallpaper.

Paper tape:

Paper tape is made of paper with ½ of one side having low-tack adhesive properties. Excellent for masking rooms, baseboards, trim such as windows and doors. The extra width of this tape makes it especially suited for decorative finishes such as color washing, rag rolling and sponging.

To remove old tape adhesive residue use acetone on a clean rag. Always test in an inconspicuous area first as acetone my damage surface.


decorative plaster marmarino

Decorative Plasters

Decorative Plasters finishes offers a beautiful and highly refined decorative finish options for interior and exterior environments. Ideal for hotels, offices, shops, exhibition halls, living rooms, etc. Ideal for all types of interior surfaces such as cement renders, Gypsum plasters, prefabricated panels wood and its by-products, as long as sufficiently smooth. With the range of colours and the applicator’s capacity and inspiration, it is possible to attain a variety of designs and chromatic effects. The resulting coating, in addition to being highly attractive, is abrasion resistant and washable.

Venetian Polished Plaster

Stucco Veneziano or Venetian Plaster is a Architectural wall and ceiling finish, ideal for modern and classic settings. A traditonal finish that lends sophistication and beauty to both residential and commercial environments. Othello Venetian Plaster consists of plaster mixed with marble dust, applied with a spatula or trowel in thin, multiple layers. Next, burnish the plaster surface to create a smooth finish with the illusion of depth and texture. Venetian plaster techniques include marmorino, scagliola, and sgraffito. When left un-burnished, Venetian plaster has a matte finish that is rough and stone-like to the touch. Venetian Plaster can be applied as a smooth, polished, matt finish or can be textured and finished to create Old World rustic charm.

When applied correctly, Venetian plaster can be used to create a highly polished, rock-hard, marble-like finish, cool to the touch and smooth like polished stone. Venetian plaster is especially useful on surfaces where genuine marble could not be installed easily, or on surfaces that would be too expensive to have carved from real marble - columns, corbels and curved walls.

Venetian plaster can be tinted, or colored using natural or synthetic colorants. The ability to tint Venetian plaster is especially helpful when a specific color of "marble" is desired, or when a color that does not exist naturally is wanted.

Marmarino

The word Marmorino, originating from Marmo (Italian for Marble), can actually can be interpreted as, "little bits of marble." Recognized by the Romans as a decorative wall covering, Marmorino has quite an interesting history. Officially proven by historians, other cultures such as the Ancient Greeks, Etruscans, and even Egyptians commonly used tinted Marmorino to decorate and construct walls still existent and intact today.

Marmorino is a trowel applied, paste plaster based on calcium oxide for interior and exterior use. It can be finished using multiple techniques for a variety of matt, satin, and glossy final effects. Due to its outstanding hardness, transpirability, and gloss, it is a solution that is becoming more and more popular not only for its decorativeness, but rather for its convenience. Lime Spatula can be applied directly over cementious or mineral substrates, eliminating many of steps in the building process, or directly over primed walls. Its porous surface can allow for the exchange of important elements such as water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc. or on the contrary, it can be sealed using special preparation or finishing co-products. The natural composition of Lime Spatula makes it anti-moulding and fungi-proof, preventing architectural deterioration and internal damage. Overall, it is a multi-purpose, highly prestigious, decorative plaster for contemporary and classic decoration.

Travertine

Travertine Natural stone effect. One of the most celebrated decorative plaster finishes among the Italian lime based plasters. Travertino allows you to achieve wide range of desirable effects, similar to the famous Italian marble, Travertine. Old world beauty and sophisticated elegance, Travertino bridges the contrast between modern and classic.

Historically, the reducing of powder TRAVERTINE stone, and mixed in part with natural lime, creates a mortar in which decorates the most important structures of the time in Rome, the Colosseum, fountains, theaters, churches and prestigious Roman villas.

Stucco Rustico

Stucco Rustico is a decorative lime stucco for indoor/outdoor use. It’s granular formula makes for a variety of different finishes simulate effects of natural stone which vary greatly from its natural appearance. When coated with Velatura, it provides a natural stone look and feel. It can be tinted on its own, however, for added depth and shade, Velatura. becomes a fundamental addition to the products final effect. Overall, Stucco Rustico is a mold-proof, restoring, transpiring, disinfectant, textured stucco paste for residential and commercial use.This treatment is quite versatile. For interior and exterior application.

Tadelakt Moroccan Lime Plaster

Interior/Exterior. Tadelakt is a Waterproof Lime Plaster Traditional Moroccan lime based wall finish originating in the Marrakesh Region of Morroco. Tadelakt is an ideal lime-based plaster finish for showers and bathrooms and other wet areas.

Tadelakt lime-based smooth and shiny wall coating, is a waterproof lime plaster suitable for humid environments and idealy suited for interior and exteriors of buildings.

Tadelakt is a waterproof lime plaster which can be used on the interior and exteriors of buildings. It is the Traditional coating of the palaces, hammams and bathrooms of the riads in Morocco. Its Traditional application includes being polished with a river stone and treated with a soft soap to acquire its final appearance and water resistance. Tadelakt has a luxurious, soft aspect with undulations due to the work of the artisans who finish it. It is suitable for making bathtubs, showers, and washbasins and confers great decorative capacities. Traditionally, tadelakt is produced with the lime of the area of Marrakesh.


trowels for applying decorative marmarino plaster

Trowels and Hocks

Generally used for plastering and decorative techniques such as faux fresco, polished plasters, stucco lustro and other decorative plaster techniques.

Trowels:

Differ in size and flexibility. He most common trowels are used for drywall plastering. Refer to the artsparx archive for drywall, plastering and plaster joint techniques.

Quick Chart - Different trowel types
trowels for applying concrete and masonry General, drywall, touch-up, concrete and mortor surfaces
trowels for applying decorative marmarino plaster Decorative and polished plasters, terrazzo, marmarino, stucco
trowels for applying tile and linoluem Specialty uses, tiling application, linoleum application. Knotched edges to create grooves in the adhesive medium. Thia allows the tile or linoleum to have a more ridgid bond to the base surface.
Hawk for plastering:

Professional tool for commercial or occasional use. Used for holding plaster, mortar or any other bonding material with one hand while the other hand mangages the application with a hand trowel.

trowels for applying concrete and masonry General referred to as the palette to hold plaster compound during application.



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