Harpo rialto colors - EPOCA SPATOLATO tutorial
Rialto epoca spatolato is a colored polished plaster for interior and exterior wall surfaces. It is made from seasoned slaked lime, high quality aggregates such as white Carrara marble, colored earths and natural oxides. Because of the magnesian slaked lime and its components, once completely dry, the outcome will be particularly tenacious and breathable. The product is ready-to-use. When dealing old or apparently hardened material, a mechanical shaking beforehand can facilitate the application process. This is the normal thixotropic behavior of a true traditional lime plaster. Using the stainless-steel trowel, we apply the first coat of Rialto epoca spatolato on a surface of mineral nature that has been properly prepared and treated. We leave a thin layer of colour in order to assist adhesion and avoid the risk of cracking. We wait 24 hours for the product to dry properly before applying the second coat. We then proceed with the same technique, distributing the stucco in a homogeneous way, always applying a small amount of product. When completely dried, we can start the finishing process. Depending on texture we wish to create, we can choose different sizes of spatula or we can also apply it with the trowel. This will mark the surface with more evident traces rich in contrasts. Here we are demonstrating a common application process, using the 10 centimeter spatula. The tool should be sharp with rounded corners to avoid scratching the wall during the application. We continue our work by applying and removing with smooth movements and looking to change up constantly the angle of the color's trace. This way we create a texture uniformly distributed over the whole wall. Every 6 to 8 spatula strokes we gently polish the surface, always in the same direction. We let it dry and with a second coat by spatula, always with the same technique, we are able to clearly define the decoration's final aspect. For the final polishing, we use the stainless-steel spatula. This last step, will enhance the vibrancy of the colors and the three dimensional texture which is one of the most classic artisan effects used in Italian tradition.
