Stucco - Decoliss®
Technical data sheet
EcoMortar® Stucco (Decoliss®) is a pre mixed pure lime mortar developed to obtain a polished surface. It consists of natural lime, fine granulometry aggregates including Talc and additives to assist the applicator against shrinkage and tearing. It does not contain cement or other pozzolanic components.
Mixing
1kg of EcoMortar® Stucco + 600/800 grams water. Use a powerful whisk for about 5 minutes adding water gradually. Longer if mixed manually. If possible, leave the mixed mortar for a few hours or until the day after to achieve an even greater workability.
Consumption
About 1.5 kg per mm of thickness per m2.
Background preparation
The application background has to be prepared to offer a smooth surface without protruding coarse aggregate grains that might cause tearing when the EcoMortar® Stucco is floated. To prepare the background use Saint-Astier® NHL lime mortars with a fine aggregate (0 to 0.8mm) top coat, floated with a wooden float. On plasterboards or background with no suction apply a first coat of EcoMortar® BasePlaster R50 or StrongStipple R100* (about 3mm), a further coat (4-5mm) of NHL mortar 0-0.800 site mixed or ready mix, floated with a steel float is applied after about 12 hours or when the base coat is sufficiently dry but not totally dry. This coat will be straightened to provide a very straight surface.
* EcoMortar® BasePlaster R50 is a special ready mix preparation coat that is applied directly on plasterboards, timber, cement surfaces, tiles and even on wallpaper to accept a lime mortar base coat. EcoMortar® StrongStipple R100 is a similar product that will accept industrial mortars such as one coat normal plasters/renders.
Application
The EcoMortar® Stucco work can start on this surface about 8-12 hours later, on a fresh but quite dry surface. If too dry, dampen the surface with a light water mist.
On a straight surface, apply the 1st coat of EcoMortar® Stucco (about 0.5mm), float with a steel float as a normal plaster. Wait for it to dry sufficiently before applying the second coat (about 12 hours).
The 2nd coat, again very thin, will be applied as a skim and floated again with a steel float. During floating, use a small amount of natural soap diluted in water (ratio 1:10 or more) either on the float or sprayed with an atomiser. It will be firmly pressed on to the point where some polished effects can begin to be seen. At this point the surface should be left to dry for about 2–3 hours or until it has reached sufficient hardness to accept the subsequent polishing action.
Finishes
To obtain a polished finish (Marmorino type), when the surface is dry and hard enough, work on it with a small Marmorino stainless steel float (280 x 120mm or 200 x 80, available from most Saint-Astier® distributors). The pressing action has to be quite powerful and the angle on the float should be kept quite acute. Either on the float or on the surface apply small amounts of linseed oil (preferred) or a higher concentration of soapy water and spread this onto the surface by floating. The size and direction of the marble “veins” that will be formed depends on the floating action (short or wider strokes, semi circular and in different directions depending on the visual preference).
Further polishing is obtained by using a natural, pigment free beeswax applied with a soft, clean cloth about 2 to 3 days from completing the work.
A sample panel should be prepared to check the visual aspect of the final finish.
Colours
The natural colour of EcoMortar® Stucco is white. Although, pigmentation is possible. In that case, pigments should be added to the mix as a paste or pre-diluted in clean water. Pigments in powder should be well crushed before dilution in water.
The quantity of pigments added should not exceed 300 grams per kg. of EcoMortar® Stucco. Your closest Saint-Astier® distributor will be able to supply the necessary pigments for the colour chosen.
The floating action will produce a surface with different tonalities and veins.
It is possible, depending on the skill of the applicator, to achieve more noticeable tonalities on the final coat to simulate complex marble structures. This is obtained by applying the second coat in 2 or 3 passes of about 0.5mm. Each coat is pigmented differently and is floated with the small steel float. The pressure exercised in the floating action will allow some of the colour tones of the previous coat to come through. Each coat will contain some natural soap in dilution. The final work will be polished as described previously.
A professional applicator will also be able to introduce streaks of colour into the body of the final coat. This is done by applying on one or more spots a small amount of pigment paste and floating it as a pattern into the fresh mortar
Again, the execution of samples panels is recommended.
Day work
When large surfaces are going to be plastered it is recommended to divide the site in areas corresponding to 1 day work each keeping the edges moist to accept the work on the adjacent area the next day.
Fresco work
On the second coat still fresh but sufficiently hard, pigmented lime washes can be applied by brush in different passes, floated with the marmorino float at each pass and tightened even further with an inox spatula. After several passes (around 7–10), a very smooth and highly polished patina will be obtained.
To obtain shadows effect, apply the pigmented lime wash with a sponge (or with a brush by exercising different stroke pressure) over several spots, float these in several passes if required and wax the completed work when dry.
The time between the various passes is dictated by the drying conditions. Each pass should not tear away the previous, therefore the backing coat should be sufficiently dry.
Fresco painting
These are obtained by using only diluted pigments on a finished lime plaster surface. The visual impact of the design is obviously related to the finish on the surface.
There are a number of techniques and practices followed in various European and other countries. This document is intended as a guideline only and illustrates what is relatively easily achievable with a natural product and the skills of a good plasterer.