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The finest in italian wall finishes
Matte Marmorino Wall Finishes
Introduction to Dilavato (stone washed plaster)
Lime based wall stucco for interior and exterior. This is a plaster for exteriors and interiors mimicking antique plaster which has weathered over time. The presence of grains of marble of varying colors which rise from the matte surface of the plaster makes this one of the most precious and impressive stuccos.
Dilavato stuccos comes mainly in four colors: White, pale yellow, okra, and light red but any color as well as any marble grain – in color and dimension – is available on request.
Product information
Dilavato Composition from Stucco Italiano
Finely filtered hydrated and hydraulic lime, grains of costly colored marble (special powdered marble granules sifted and selected according to granule size 000 = 0.0 – 1.5 mm (0.0 - 0.118 inch), and special additives (no more than 3% total in volume) to improve hardness and workability.
Four colors: White, pale yellow, okra, light red. But any color is available on request.
Packaging
- 25 kg net (56 lbs) paper and plastic bags
- Shelf life 12 months
- Product maintains its characteristics only if protected from humidity
- Product must be disposed of according to norms and regulations in force. Containers must be recycled.
Dilution
Water must be added to obtain a paste easy to be applied. It can vary depending on the wall’s absorption (about 5 litres per bag)
Drying time
First coat – to touch: 3–6 hours at 20°C (68°F)
Carbonation: 8–14 hours at 20°C (68°F)
Stable below the surface: 150 days
Safety Norms
Lime products are caustic. In case of contact with eyes or skin, rinse thoroughly with water. Keep out of reach of children.
Theoretical yield
- 6–7 kg per m2 (13–16 lbs per sq. ft)
medium size grain - 3.5–5 kg per m2 (8–11 lbs per sq. ft)
small size grain
Surfaces suitable for applying Dilavato
The ideal substrate on which to apply Dilavato is scratch mortar composed of lime or lime-cement and sand.
For old already painted plaster – brush down thoroughly and one coat of Primer Quartz and then one coat of Marmorino Veneziano Carrara. Be sure the old paint cannot peel off before applying the primer.
Excellent drying and natural anti-mould capacity. For interiors or exteriors.
How to apply Dilavato
Tools necessary for application: Normal big trowel, medium size trowel, sponge float.
Dilavato comes in powder form in plastic sacks. The best way to mix it is in a cement mixer large enough to contain 5 or 6 bags. This will allow you to plaster an entire wall with plaster of the same density.
You’ll need a hose with a spray attachment ready to use.
Don’t apply in temperatures below 5°C (41°F) and relative humidity < 90% . If the temperature is too close to freezing or too hot, do not apply. If the temperature is high, spray the wall down well with ample amounts of water before starting application.
- Add enough water – the average is 4.5 litres per 25 kg bag - so that the plaster is easy to apply. With a little experience, you’ll be able to add the right amount of water for the density you prefer.
- The first coat: Apply with a metal trowel starting on the upper corner of the wall. The thickness of this coat depends on the size of marble granules, but you should use about 3 kg per m2 (10.7 sq. ft). Each bag should cover 8 m2 (80 sq. ft)
- The second coat: Once the first is completely dry (even below the surface), the second coat may be applied. If it is necessary because high temperatures, you can spray the entire surface uniformly with ample amounts of water.
- Apply the second coat like the first, being careful to work seamlessly from one area to the next. Normally, it’s best to have several people working at the same time with one person for every 10-15 m2 (100-150 sq. ft).
- As 1 or 2 people apply the plaster another follows smoothing out the surface with a sponge float, wet or dry.
- When the application is finished and the plaster has begun to harden, begin the first washing of the surface. Be sure that the surface is hard enough so the plaster won’t be washed away, but before it has begun to dry. Use a big sponge float. Wet the sponge float well in a bucket of clean water. The idea is to wash off the top film of lime so that the small, colored marble granules are visible.
- After washing off the wall leave it alone until the water has disappeared. And the surface begins to dry. This usually takes 30 minutes to 3 hours. In cold, humid weather it may be necessary to wait overnight.
- The final washing should be done by 2 or 3 people always starting in an upper corner of the wall. One or two people using a big float sponge and a bucket of clean water or a hose should wash the surface until the colored marble granules are visible. A third person follows behind rinsing down the wall, being careful to wash away all of the lime without leaving drip marks.
Application variations and suggestions
If you are working inside or it is impossible to use a hose, the washing can be done by using buckets and buckets of clean water applied by hand. To clean the big sponge you use during the final washing, you can use the tub used by tile layers which has rollers, or just scrape the edge of the rinsed sponge on the edge of bucket which is used only to collect dirty, plaster water.
Maintenance of Dilavato
Dilavato is a finish which by definition becomes more beautiful with the passage of time which normally, therefore, doesn’t need any kind of protection. However, we advise the following protective treatment.
After at least 48 hours at a temperature above 5°C, proceed with colourless, penetrating Idrocale surface protection, developed to protect lime-based plaster surfaces from dirty- water spilts.