Host Kathi Cardinalli shows how to create a hammered bronze finish on a simple piece of plaster
(see photo at right).
Materials:
plaster obelisk, column or other architectural element
trisodium phosphate (TSP)
heavy work gloves
goggles
mask
spacklekilz (a white pigmented shellac in a spray can) or stain-blocking primer
satin-finish latex paints in black and beige
iridescent bronze acrylic paint
sea sponges
Steps:
- Thoroughly clean the surface of the plaster with trisodium phosphate (TSP) and let dry. Wear heavy-duty gloves, goggles and a mask when working with TSP.
- Fill in any cracks or chinks in the plaster with spackle (figure A). Let dry.
- Spray the surface with kilz or apply stain-blocking primer and let dry well.
- Apply a base coat of beige paint and let dry (figure B).
- Mix together four parts bronze paint with one part black paint. Mix well.
- Using a damp sea sponge, evenly apply a coat of paint mixture over the surface (figure C). Let dry well.
- With another damp sponge, apply two coats of bronze paint--not the mixture--to the surface (figure D). Let dry well.
* Note: As you are sponging on various paints, leave a mottled (diversified with spots of blotches of a different color or shade) effect, allowing undercoats of paints to show through. This technique creates the hammered bronze look.
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