Compression Techniques

Learn how to properly finish your American Clay plaster wall by completing the final and most critical application step: compression. This video is a comprehensive overview of compression techniques, including: sponge compression, hard trowel compression, improper techniques, trowel selection, and cleaning dusty and chalking surfaces.
Warning: this video demonstrates both proper and improper techniques, it is crucial to watch the video in its entirety.
Updated: October 2013

[@williamgrimberg2510]

Just finishing a thousand sf. job . Been working with different coatings since 1978 .
We applied clay coatings thin as was advised for this second time job .
The thing I noticed when we went to compress is that it’s critical how much water and timing to troweling. You want the clay damp enough to compress and smooth out and not so wet as to wash away some of the clay leaving a sandy dusty brittle finish .
We used hand pump sprayers (garden sprayers)with very little tip adjustment which made it difficult to apply the water evenly over the surface.
If we do another project, I will use a electric battery powered garden sprayer with a fan tip and adjustable pressure which I have . This will apply the water more evenly over the surface.

[@francesca333]

Wonderful, love the comparisons, and the little tips. Thank you

[@santiagoezekiel8268]

You probably dont give a shit but if you guys are bored like me atm then you can stream pretty much all of the new movies on Instaflixxer. I've been streaming with my girlfriend for the last couple of weeks xD

[@brunolouis7390]

@Santiago Ezekiel Definitely, have been watching on Instaflixxer for since november myself :)

[@karlrasur9852]

Great video. Thank you!

[@Romulan100]

Very nice. thanks

[@ericwilson8848]

Thankyou been looking for this.great video.how much lime goes into plaster.especially for outside walls.ive down in past but heavy windy rain would wash that away

[@johnstanton8499]

Great video Are you just compressing the top skin only

[@djkoenig4716]

Is troul compression not the same as burnishing (polishing by creating pressure & heat) & because here the clay product is wet? Is your compression (pushing/compressing) the product into the wall & itself or are you just knocking off to eliminate the loose product on the surface?

[@prakashbanne8495]

Want it for Marathi, hindi language

[@marydeforest7219]

I wish that they'd show the finished job first- so I don't waste time. I'm trying to match 2 different styles

[@mellio9077]

i’m sure this guy is very good at his craft. But I’m utterly frustrated with these videos and I’m not getting the results that I want. I’m running into too many problems. Please get a Rachel Rae or a Bob Ross personality for instruction. I need the steps to be broken down. This product is making me cry, I wish I never started it.

[@bman5995]

fail...FrescoHarmony.. far better product at 1/4 of the cost

[@mellio9077]

You are missing too many parts to this instruction. You need to work with a beginner, so that you can learn how to be a better teacher