Completed Plaster Design
 

TOOLS:
Here are some of the tools that can be used for applying plaster to your plaster stencil.  Included are 3 plastic putty
knives, very inexpensive, metal putty knives and a wide tool (found at home supply stores) used for plastering walls
before being painted.  This is used for wide openings in the stencil.  A wide squeegee is also very useful for this.  
The smaller tool is an artist’s palette knife used for stencils with very small openings. Also needed are a pencil and
masking tape.

Available tools to apply plaster

PRODUCT:
For indoor application the most commonly used product is pre-mixed joint compound, found at home supply stores.  For a stronger stencil compound add ¼ part of white or carpenters glue to 2 parts of joint compound.  For exterior
use add exterior glue only.  You can also add a SMALL amount of mortar or Portland Cement for a rougher texture if desired.   Do not get concrete as it has stones added.  Use the same technique as for indoor application.
 

ADDING COLOR:
If you want your plaster to have color before applying you can add Rit Dye, paste food coloring, powdered stucco color and acrylic pigment paints from the craft store.  These paints are very thick and won’t thin your plaster so much.  To apply color after the stencil is dry simply place the stencil back over the design and apply thinned color with a stencil brush or a rag that has been dipped in thin paint, excess paint squeezed out and rubbed over the surface of the stencil through the stencil openings.

STENCIL APPLICATION:
Locate the exact place you want your stencil to be.  If you are using a stencil with more than one overlay you will need to place masking tape under the registration marks, (holes in the top of the stencil), draw around the holes with a pencil (photo 2).  When the first overlay is completely dry line up the holes in the second stencil with the marks on the masking tape and apply plaster.  In ALL applications your stencil has to be tight against the wall.  You can achieve this by spraying the stencil lightly with stencil adhesive or tape the stencil down.  Once taped securely
start the application of plaster.

Finding your stencil placement, working with registration marks and taping your stencil in place.

APPLYING PLASTER TO STENCIL:
Find the tool that best fits the opening in your stencil and pick up plaster with that tool.  At the outside edge of the stencil openings lean the tool at about a 45 degree angle and using slight pressure start dragging the plaster into the openings slowly raising the tool to a more vertical position to help remove excess plaster from the top of the stencil. If there are loose pieces in the stencil hold them firmly with your finger tip while dragging the plaster across to avoid plaster going under the edges of the stencil. Clean off left over plaster from your tool before getting more to allow for a clean application.  Once the stencil is completed remove the tape holding the stencil down and GENTLY lift the stencil straight off of the wall.

Applying plaster to your stencil

Removing excess plaster from stencil and removing your stencil from the wall

CLEAN UP:
Once you have finished stenciling wash the plaster from the stencil and tools.  It is best NOT to clean in the sink as the product can and does settle in the trap below and becomes hard, even under water, which will plug your drain.  We suggest using a large bucket or a kitty litter box filled with water.  After cleaning metal tools it is best to dry them completely and cover them with a lubricant, such as WD40 or mineral oil to keep them from rusting.

STENCIL SEALING:
In most cases sealing is not required.  If you prefer sealing before adding color once the stencil is dry use a clear sealer.  Brush only the top of the stencil with the sealer as it will change the value of the wall color behind the stencil and make it very glossy.  If you are painting the room and you want the stencil to be the same color simply apply the stencil first, let dry and paint it at the same time you paint your walls.

PLASTER STENCIL REMOVAL:
If in the future you decide you want to change the stencil you have,  you can spray the stencil with water, wait a couple of seconds and scrape off with a putty knife.  Make sure you wash away any plaster residue on the wall.