This past week I was working on a Metallic Bronze & Copper Distressed Ceiling in a lovely home in Morgan Creek. I was very excited, as it has been a while since I’ve done a plaster ceiling finish in this style I’d say almost 3 years to be exact and I truly enjoy this type of decorative finish. A break down of the work involved begins with applying a black base metallic plaster made by Golden after that is left to dry over night. I then return to apply the bronze plaster also made from materials made by Golden. Once the texture is created and the designer likes what she see’s the final step is “waxing”. Now for this step I like to us an old school material called Bri-Wax. I don’t mind sharing the information as its a easily available in most cities. One thing I will tell you is this stuff has a nasty and strong odor. One more step to go adding copper mica flakes to the wax, this involves melting the the materials in order to make that possible, I advise using caution if you choose to attempt this your self as this portion requires a high degree of safety.
Hey Darrell,
Thanks for the post!
There’s a lot of concern with off gassing when it comes to flooring – lots of our customers ask about it, and rightly so. Is there a similar concern with this type of treatment? I ask because you mention the odour factor, and the caution about mixing it oneself.
I love the effects you can achieve with it. It makes a bare space seem so much warmer and more welcoming.
I do get that same concern in my projects. For this particular home it was not a real issue. I am unaware of the long term off gases from the wax but from my experience it normally dissipates after a few hrs on the smell side. I’ve grown fond of Bri-Wax because of the ease of mixing in other mediums, mica powders are very fine and do not mix well with water type substances. They also can have a reaction with some materials like lime plaster. Thanks for the comment hope this answers your question
Thanks a lot, Darrell!
That’s a great effect. How does a ceiling treatment like that affect the acoustics of the room. Say in a home theater for instance, can a sound deadening or acoustically non reflective surface be applied?
Thats a great idea john, I would think the plaster would help with the sound a bit, although it would be best to use the proper drywall for an area like that and then build the plaster from there up.