If you work on a old, may be painted, wall apply a layer of “Quartz Primer” on the surface (it is not necessary for new lime-sand plasters), being careful to remove old paint and clean dust from the wall.
Wait 2 or 3 hours (the primer must be dry) to apply the first layer of Intonachino using an steel trowel and spreading it uniformly on the wall.
When it is completely dry you can apply the second layer being careful to make the surfaces even with a rubber trowel (sponge float) with a circular movement a few minutes after application, but before the stucco begins harden.
A special effect can be achieved pressing the stucco with a trowel before it becomes hard.
It is also possible to paint this as “fresco”, using water and color pigments during the drying process or after its completely dry using the wax and color pigments.
Additional suggestions for the Application of Intonachino
Here are some suggestions for applying lime plasters and stuccos. These are suggestions to always keep in mind when applying Marmorino, Intonachino and other lime-based products.
A lime plaster (and also cement) can have changes of the tone of color depending on its drying time. However, the general rule of thumb is that the slower it dries, the darker the resulting color. With marmorino, a darker tone is also related to how much pressure is applied during the polishing phase.
It is customary to recommend applying lime plasters at a minimum ambient temperature of 5°C (41°F), but experience has shown that if you want to avoid color differences, the minimum temperature should be higher.
This is also linked to two other factors: the relative humidity of the air which determines drying time and, consequently, the tone of the color, and finally, and just as important, the absorption of the substrate.
Therefore, when applying lime plaster, you have to take into account these three factors.It is difficult to give precise guidelines. It depends a lot on the experience of the technician, who in any case has to keep in mind these factors and understand the characteristics of the materials.
For the substrate: the ideal plaster is one which has the same amount of absorption over its entire surface. If there are areas of concrete under the plaster (for example, around windows or along the area where two floors of a building meet), it’s possible that with a thin layer of plaster, there will be different amounts of absorption. If the temperature and humidity are good enough to ensure a rapid absorption, these differences in absorption rates won’t affect the color. But if there are low temperatures or high humidity, the areas which absorb more slowly will become darker.
It is often recommended to apply primer first. This is not really enough to guarantee an equal absorption rate over the entire area, but is always a good idea. The quality of the primer is especially important when conditions are at a minimum.
Remember that only the experience can guarantee good results. However, if there is one rule, independent of the absorption of the substrate, the humidity should be about 84% and the temperature should not go below 7°C (45°F).
Always keep in mind that the temperature and humidity should stay within these recommended limits for the entire drying time. The technician shouldn't forget that if he finishes applying the material in the afternoon, it could undergo colder temperatures during the night which would push it beyond the recommended limits before drying is complete.
One last thing to remember is that the wind can also play a role and can help to accelerate drying time.
If we know that the substrate has different levels of absorption and the atmospheric conditions are not optimal, one piece of advice is to apply the first coat twice (Marmorino or Intonachino). Or, in small areas, such as on concrete above windows, you could apply extra material to that local area alone before you apply the first coat to the rest of surface, obviously feathering the edges of the localized application.
Naturally if the substrate has a uniform absorption and you do all the work on one side of the building on the same day, you can go to the edge of the recommended limits since a small change in color from one side to another won’t be visible.
