Lava Plaster is an incredibly versatile decorative material that offers endless possibilities for creativity. Though lime-based, it reaches a remarkable level of hardness when dry, making it perfect for creating intricate reliefs pattern without fear of chipping. With its ability to be applied in a variety of effects and textures, Lava Plaster can be used to create truly unique and customised designs that adapt to any type of atmosphere, from modern to classic, dramatic to subtle and elegant, or even rustic.
Additionally, decorative additives and special pearlescent or metallic waxes can be added to enhance its appearance even further.
The plaster is suitable for both interior and exterior walls.
Document Type: Technical Data Sheet
Name: LAVA PLASTER
Description: Natural, lime-based material for decorative finishes on interior and exterior wall surfaces. Naturally anti-mould and breathable. Exceptionally hard and versatile finish which allows for decorative effects with reliefs.
Composition: Aged, slaked lime and selected marble powders.
Grain Size: 700 microns
Appearance: Paste
Colour: White, it can be tinted in any colour with lime-compatible colourants
Packaging: 24 kg net polyethylene containers
Application: By hand, with a steel trowel
Type of Surface: Interior and exterior walls
New Wall Surface:
Old Wall Surface:
Dilution: Ready to use
Consumption: 1.5 to 3 kg / sqm depending on finish type
Drying:
Application Temperatures: min 5 max 30°C – R.U. < 85% ca
Coat Thickness: Depends on the finish, generally between 1.5 and 5 mm
VOC Classification: EU Directive 2004/42/CE: EU limit value for this product (cat A/l – water-based decorative effect coating): 200 g/l (2010). This product contains less than 1 g/l of VOC.
Specific Weight: 1.4 ± 0.2 (kg/l)
pH After 30 Days: 12.5 ± 0.50
Vapour Permeability: SD ~ 0,04 m (DIN 52 615)
Flammability: European Class of Reaction to Fire A1: non-combustible, no contribution to fire
Mould Resistance: ASTM D 3274 – “Standard Test Method to evaluate the degree of surface disfigurement of paint by microbial, fungal, and algae growth. Result: Front Panel 10/10/10 Back Panel 10/10/10 = no growth
Scrub Test Resistance: ASTM D 2486-06 method A = was used: scrubbing fine sand + metallic brush for 10,000 cycles
Impact Test: UNI EN ISO 6272-2-2006. 1 kg doming punch was dropped from different heights and only at the height of 8 cm., it left a 5.5 mm dent in the surface and a tiny crack appeared around its circumference.
Pencil Hardness: ASTM D3363- Pencil hardness 5H
Shore Hardness: Norm ASTM 2240 average
Adhesion: Norm UNI EN 13892-8 2004 average value = 2,0
Shelf Life: 36 months when stored according to the recommended guidelines
Storage: In original sealed packaging between 5° - 35°C in a dry, dark environment
Safety Norms
Irritating. / Risk of serious damage to eyes. / Irritating to the skin. / Keep out of children. / Avoid contact with eyes. / In case of contact with eyes, clean immediately with water without rubbing them, and consult a doctor. / Wear suitable gloves and eyes/face protection. / In case of ingestion of the products, consult immediately a doctor showing him the can or the label of the product. Danger labelling under directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC and following amendments and adjustments. The product must be transported, used, and stored according to current standards of hygiene and safety.
Disposal: Product must be disposed of according to norms and regulations in force. Containers must be sent for recycling. Follow directions on the packaging.
Application Instructions
WARNINGS: Water on the surface of the material in the bucket is normal and should be removed before use or addition of colourants. All lime-based products lose their viscosity when mixed and need a period of 6/12 hours after mixing to regain their density. This product is dense and ready for use; thus it may be necessary to use an appropriate drill attachment to stir for a few minutes to reduce viscosity. Choose the colour and add the toner additive to the container and continue mixing until a homogeneous shade is obtained. Let the product rest for about 5 hours before you begin to use it.
We recommend using materials from the same production batch for the same project. If you must use different batches, we suggest mixing their material together to avoid any slight variations in shading. To ensure proper usage, dilution, and application of the products mentioned in these pages, please consult the corresponding technical data sheets.
When preparing the surface and applying the materials, we advise using appropriate tools and personal protective equipment (PPE). During application and for the following 72 hours, protect the surfaces from sudden temperature change, direct sunlight, and water. Don’t apply in temperatures below 8°C or above 35°C. During application make sure that the work area isn’t too damp to avoid problems with application times.
Remember to have a strong light parallel to the wall and situated on only one of the two sides of the wall you are working on (usually on the same side as other sources of light such as windows). In this way, the shadow of the trowel allows you to see the actual state of the finish. Every so often, during the second and third coats, the light should be moved so that the wall doesn’t dry out too much in one spot from the heat of the lamp.
Application
Protection of the Work Area: Masking tape and protective material over the baseboards and around windows and doors.
STUCCO LAVA is an extremely versatile product and can be used for a variety of finishes. It is less absorbent than regular lime plaster; therefore, it is ideal to use as a base coat for other lime-based decorative plasters. Most of our standard LAVA PLASTER finishes are applied in combination with PEARL CREAM or VELATURA. These are applied either with the veiling technique or with a sponge.
Once dry, it is a very hard yet flexible surface, and therefore it is particularly suitable for finishes that need to be sanded down, such as those containing MOTHER OF PEARL or other additives. For the same reason, LAVA PLASTER is the recommended material when you want to achieve finishes with lines in relief, which, realised with weaker plasters, could chip. One such finish is our Rain, which is made with a brush trowel. Please see our videos for reference to all LAVA PLASTER application techniques.
Exteriors
For exterior applications, there are some rules to respect and some precautions to take. We remind you that carbonation, i.e., the process that takes place through the absorption of atmospheric CO2, is completed in a few hours on the surface but takes several days to take place in depth. It is therefore important that the application takes place in the certainty of the absence of heavy rains in the three following days. It is also not recommended to apply it on walls that do not have at least a small roof overhang. Penetrating rain could ruin the finish even after weeks as deep carbonation is completed after more than a month. Avoid windy days, especially at high temperatures, as well as the risk of frost in the 48 hours following application. In external applications in hot climate conditions, it is also recommended to protect the wall from the sun with shade cloths applied to the scaffolding. Lime-based products must dry slowly to better fulfil their characteristics.
Finish Protection (optional)
Interiors: HYDROCALCE / MARSEILLE SOAP / BEESWAX
Exteriors: HYDROCALCE
Interiors: A protective treatment is optional in most circumstances. It is however necessary in bathroom, kitchen, and splashback walls.
Exteriors: This finish, as all lime-based plasters, absorbs water during rainy weather, which results in a temporary "wet effect" on the surface. However, this plaster releases the absorbed water within a few hours, allowing the surface to dry without any damage nor alteration to the finish. While a final treatment is therefore optional, it is highly recommended in areas with high pollution levels or if you wish to avoid the temporary wet effect that can occur after rainfall. To protect the finish, after at least 72 hours at a minimum of 20°C, proceed with a colourless, penetrating HYDROCALCE, developed to protect exterior plaster coverings.
