Relief stenciling is an enchanting way to perk up ceilings in any room.
Raised plaster stenciling added architectural elegance to stately homes and government buildings at the turn of the century. Artisans created beautiful plaster designs on the walls and ceilings of the White House in 1905. Raised plaster stenciling or relief stenciling is an elegant way to perk up any space. The designs can delicately accent wall and ceiling trims or add style to outdoor urns and furniture.
Instructions
1. Determine the placement of the stencil and position by taping them with pieces of low-tack 2-inch painters tape. Arrange color combinations on a sample board before applying to the ceiling. Make sure the color combinations work together. Use a piece of poster board or an old pizza box as a sample surface.
2. Clean the ceiling and make sure it's dust free and in excellent condition. Repair any cracks or chips. These should be filled, primed and painted prior to stenciling. Dry for at least 24 hours prior to stenciling.
3. Purchase a tub of "joint compound" from a local hardware store. Stir the plaster well and load it onto a flat palette knife.
4. Design and cut a stencil out of heavy plastic, like acetate for best results. The stencil needs to be thick. Common stencils in craft stores are not deep enough to provide a significantly raised effect.
5. Tape the stencil to the ceiling's edges. Do not use masking tape, because it seals too tightly for most painted surfaces and will pull paint off when removed.
6. Smooth the joint compound over the stencil using a . Fill each "cut-out" completely. Trowel over the taped stencil keeping the direction of the blade almost parallel with the surface, scraping off any excess. Avoid going back and forth multiple times, because it may disrupt the stencil and cause seepage underneath.
7. Scrape the compound back into the container if there are mistakes. Just wipe down the ceiling with a damp sponge and try it again. Raised plaster stenciling is a forgiving art. Take a cotton swab to clean up the edges.
8. Hold the stencil down, and remove the tape. Pull the stencil gently away from the ceiling. Lift the stencil up and away cleanly in one smooth motion while the plaster is still fresh. Correct any imperfections in the design carefully by using a small palette knife or toothpick.
9. Clean the stencil before the plaster dries on it. Let the plaster dry 24 hours the raised design. After the designs have dried, gently polish them or sand them with a piece of 220-grit sandpaper.
10. Joint compound is often too porous to paint without sealant. Test the absorbency of the plaster by applying a dab of paint on it. If it dries quickly, seal the plaster with clear polyurethane. Roll on a coat of water-based clear, polyurethane before painting and allow it to dry thoroughly.
Tags: palette knife, plaster stenciling, Raised plaster, Raised plaster stenciling, before painting, clear polyurethane, color combinations