Metallic Plaster Training, Learning Metallic and Liquid Metal Finishes

Metallic plaster training teaches you to apply metallic and liquid metal finishes in Venetian plaster, where a reflective surface shows every trowel mark. Metallics are taught on the 3 day Beginner Course at the Zavoré Academy in Birmingham, and liquid metal can be learned on 1 to 1 training.

Dates, prices and what you will learn are on our liquid metal course page.

This guide explains what the finishes are, what you practise, why technique matters more here than almost anywhere, and which course to choose.

What are metallic and liquid metal plaster finishes?

Metallic finishes are Venetian plaster surfaces with a reflective, metal like quality, and liquid metal is a finish designed to give the look of metal on a wall. They are trowelled on in thin layers and worked until they carry the sheen of the metal they imitate.

They sit alongside Marmorino and polished plaster as part of the wider Venetian plaster family. Our liquid metal page shows the finish, and the guide to metallic plaster walls covers how it is used. For installation, see metallic finishes installation.

Where are metallic plaster finishes used?

They tend to be chosen where a room needs a statement surface. Because the finish reflects, it suits a single feature wall better than every wall in a room.

• Feature walls in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms.
• Hospitality interiors such as bars, restaurants and hotel spaces. See commercial Venetian plaster.
• Entrances, hallways and fireplace surrounds where a small area carries a strong finish.
• Retail and office interiors that need a distinctive look.

Finishes like these are often specified by designers, so knowing how they are made helps if you work with them. See Venetian plaster for interior designers.

Why does technique matter so much with metallics?

Technique matters because a reflective surface shows every mark and every change in pressure. A trowel track that disappears in a matt finish can stay visible in a metallic one.

• Even coats. Uneven thickness changes how the surface reflects.
• Consistent pressure. The sheen follows the pressure you use, so changes show.
• Preparation. A flat, well prepared base matters more when the finish reflects. See preparing walls for Venetian plaster.
• Clean tools. Dirt on a trowel can mark a reflective surface.
• Protection. The wax or sealer needs care so that the finish is protected without being spoiled.

This is why hands on tuition suits metallics. A tutor can see a change in pressure that you cannot feel, and tell you what it will do to the surface.

What does the Beginner Course teach about metallics?

It teaches metallics as one of the three core finishes, from bucket to burnish, on the 3 day course. You start with theory and preparation, then work through textures, the systems and the finishes.

The Beginner Course costs £750 per person, runs from 10am to 5pm, needs no experience and has up to six students. All materials and tools are provided. You can book the Beginner Course. A fuller picture of the syllabus is in Venetian plastering training for beginners.

If you want to go further into colour, polish and gloss, the Advanced Course covers tinting, coloured waxes and sealers, sanding and polishing to a high gloss.

When does 1 to 1 training suit liquid metal?

1 to 1 training suits you when you want to concentrate on a particular finish, such as liquid metal, rather than follow a group syllabus. It is shaped entirely around what you want to learn.

Read more on 1 to 1 training and the Advanced Course. If you are weighing the formats, see group course or 1 to 1 training. For how the Marmorino finish compares in the same course, read Marmorino training.

How do you use metallic skills after the course?

Take home your panels, practise on boards, then offer metallics where a statement wall suits the client. Start small and build up.

1. Keep your finished panels as a portfolio. They show clients what you can do.
2. Practise on fresh boards before a client wall, because reflective finishes show mistakes.
3. Buy materials on a trade account, which gives ten percent off every material, applied automatically (trade page).
4. Use the private course group and helpline for life when a job raises a question.

Questions about metallic plaster training

Is metallic plaster included in the Beginner Course?

Yes. Metallics are one of the three core finishes on the 3 day Beginner Course, alongside Marmorino and polished plaster.

Can I learn liquid metal plaster?

Yes, on 1 to 1 training. It is shaped entirely around what you want to learn, and any finish such as liquid metal can be the focus.

Is metallic plaster harder to apply than other finishes?

A reflective surface shows every mark, so technique and preparation matter more. Hands on tuition helps you spot what a reflective finish will show.

Do I need plastering experience before a metallic plaster course?

No. The Beginner Course needs no experience, and all materials and tools are provided.

Where is metallic plaster used?

It is used on feature walls and in hospitality, retail and office interiors where a room needs a statement surface.

To book a bench, call 07592 929191 or email sales@zavore.co.uk. You can hold a seat with half the price and pay the rest on the day. Dates are on the training page and are confirmed by email within 24 hours of booking.