How to apply Silk plaster?

You may have heard that Silk plaster liquid wallpaper is a DIY material you can easily apply yourself. Well, you're right! But just to help you with the process, here are some tips on what to do and how, when you're ready to begin your home makeover.
First of all, we need to check the surface you're planning on applying the liquid wallpaper to. Silk plaster is fairly universal as it can be applied to almost any surface. However, for that you need to identify the surface and prepare it for further actions.

Step 1: Preparing the surface of your wall

Drywall is currently widely used in the construction of internal partitions. Sheets are fixed with screws, and the joints are aligned using gypsum mixtures. This is a quick and economical way to create any interior solutions.



Gluing only joints of drywall sheets is one of the most common mistakes when repairing and applying liquid wallpaper. If the drywall is not primed sufficiently, then there is a chance that traces of joints between the plates will appear. Therefore, it is necessary to coat the entire wall area with a primer, even if the drywall sheets are even and smooth. For best results, we recommend applying Silk plaster primer in 2-3 layers to the entire surface before applying liquid wallpaper, this is especially important for light colors.




In older houses the materials used in the construction process were of rather poor quality or simply outdated. Often it is not generally known what the walls are made of. Their surface is very insidious in that yellow spots and spots can appear on it due to rusty pipes, poor-quality wiring, and other mistakes of builders over decades of use. To avoid stains, carefully protect the walls.

First, you need to treat the entire surface with impregnation or a solution of the Silk Plaster proprietary primer. Then apply the original Silk Plaster primer in 2 coats. Pre-apply it in 2-3 small test areas to understand how the primer is laid on the walls. To achieve the ideal result of applying liquid wallpaper, we recommend covering the walls with gypsum mixtures.

To prepare any surface for applying liquid wallpaper, it is necessary to degrease it and align it, especially, a surface with metal parts. If there are any metal protruding or flat parts, such as lighting equipment, electrical panels, reinforcing bars, or ducts, they must also be treated with Silk Plaster primer. At the same time, do not forget that constant access to electrical nodes is necessary, therefore, we recommend that you do not paint over them and do not cover with a plaster.

Partially painted walls are a common find as partial dyeing in bright colors is one of the most popular interior solutions. Applying different shades, you will make the room look more spacious. It is important to prevent the appearance of a smooth color transition (the so-called "waterline") after drying the liquid wallpaper.



We recommend priming the surface with Silk Plaster in 2 coats and then applying paint to give whiteness. To achieve the ideal result of applying liquid wallpaper, we recommend that you first process the walls with gypsum mixtures.

Materials such as plywood, fiberboard, and MDF are used locally for certain interior solutions, such as doorways, arches, mezzanines. Liquid wallpaper can be applied on wooden surfaces, making sure that they are not deformed by moisture and are properly fixed. Moreover, it is worth considering that the thinner the sheet, the greater the likelihood of its deformation.




To protect such surfaces before applying liquid wallpaper, we recommend using a proprietary Silk Plaster primer in 2-3 layers with longitudinal-transverse movements.

If dealing with bare concrete or plastered brick walls, you might find yourself in a difficult situation. They're difficult to paint with water-based paints, because of the enormous absorbency of such surfaces. You can apply 20 coats of paint and not achieve the required whiteness of the surface.

In this case, the optimal solution would be to cover the wall with gypsum mixtures, additionally, smooth the surface, and fill the pores with the material. And only then put the Silk Plaster primer in 2 layers. This will avoid the absorption of paint by concrete. If the concrete wall is initially weak, strongly peels off, crumbles, then the use of any materials is difficult since adhesion is practically absent. To achieve the ideal result of applying liquid wallpaper, we recommend that you first plaster the walls with special compounds: you must use the standard reinforcing primer of any manufacturer.

Finally, Oriented Strand Board (OSB) - a multilayer structural material with glued and pressed wood fiber as the main component. It requires especially careful preparation of the surface, before applying liquid wallpaper. We strongly recommend sheathing the walls with drywall, or buy a ready-made version with sheathing from this material.

OSB can be of two types: with a low density for partitions inside the house and with a high density for external decoration due to the high degree of moisture resistance. This type of plate can be used in outdoor decoration. When designing partitions, we recommend using moisture-resistant boards for exterior and interior decoration, as they are more versatile. Such plates should be plastered with gypsum mixtures and painted either with a primer or treated with water-based paint.



Step 2: Primer
Once you have prepared the surface - it's dry, smooth, clean, monochrome white, free from stains and dust, you can now treat it with a deep penetration primer. Apply 2 layers of Silk plaster primer over the entire surface, aiming for total coverage. Drying time between the layers application is 24 hours.



Note! Silk plaster decorative plasters should be applied 24 hours after the application of the second layer of Silk plaster primer.

Step 3: Preparation of the material



Pour clean water of room temperature (20-25 degrees Celsius) without sediment and impurities into a plastic container. The amount of water for each type of decorative plaster is indicated on the packaging.

Then pour the content of the package into the water. If desired, add glitters and/or decorative additives, evenly distributing them over the surface.

Note! All types of glitters and additives are purchased separately.

Mix the material by hand thoroughly to avoid glue clumps. To mix some materials a drill with a mixer nozzle should be used - see the sign on the packaging.

Note!
Partial mixing of one package is not allowed!
If you need several packages of Silk plaster, mix them at once.
One wall (surface) should be completely covered with the material from the same mix.

Put the soaked material in a plastic bag and keep it for 12 hours.

Step 4: Application



Before application, mix the material thoroughly by hand. Some materials should be mixed with a drill with a mixer nozzle. Use a plastic trowel to apply small amounts of the mixed material from onem kneading evenly throughout the surface.

After 1-2 hours smooth the surface with the trowel, wetting it with water. The material should be used within 48 hours after soaking. The temperature of air in the room should be not lower than 15 degrees Celsius and the level of humidity should not exceed 70%.

To increase durability, as well as for a future possibility of wet cleaning, cover the surface with Silk plaster varnish.