Sabulador Soft — Frequently Asked Questions

Sabulador Soft is a water‑based sandy decorative coating designed primarily as an overlay or veil. It creates a soft, mineral shimmer by organising fine sandy grains and pearlescent pigments in a thin film over a prepared substrate or existing decorative system.

In broad terms:

• Sabulador Lux & Matt — build more of their own sandy body, with Lux more crystalline and Matt quieter.
• Sabulador Soft — behaves more like a thin overlay/veil with a very calm sandy movement and high yield.

Soft is usually chosen when the brief is to soften or re‑light existing systems rather than to create a visibly sandy texture from scratch.

Technically it is a decorative coating, but it behaves like a sandy glaze or veil. The film is intentionally thin; the aim is to add shimmer and unity rather than to fully cover what lies beneath.

Sabulador Soft can be used as a stand‑alone decorative finish over suitable primer on smooth walls, or as an overlay over other decorative systems. Many projects mix both: Soft as a primary finish on some walls, and as an overlay on textured or concrete systems elsewhere.

We regularly specify Sabulador Soft for:

• Overlaying concrete and stone plasters to soften contrast and add luminescence
• Softly shimmering feature walls in living rooms, bedrooms and stairwells
• Retail and hospitality interiors where a calm, tactile shimmer supports the brand tone
• Within Waterproof Artistic Walls when a sandy, light‑catching reading is desired in wet rooms

Yes — Sabulador Soft can be used on dry and splash zones in kitchens and bathrooms, on suitable substrates or over compatible decorative systems, particularly when a clear protective finish is also specified.

For shower interiors and continuously wet areas, Sabulador Soft should be designed as the visible finish within a complete Waterproof Artistic Walls build‑up rather than as a stand‑alone coating.

Yes — provided the existing system is sound, fully cured and clean. In fact, this is one of the main uses of Sabulador Soft: to gently re‑read or unify surfaces by adding a sandy luminescent veil over them.

Any inter‑coat or primer required between the existing system and Sabulador Soft will be specified by Italian Surface Finishes on a project‑by‑project basis.

As a primary decorative finish on smooth walls:

• Prepare and repair the substrate; sand and de‑dust.
• Prime with the specified primer (often PRIMART 600) and allow to dry.
• Apply a first very thin veil of Sabulador Soft.
• Apply a second veil after 3–4 hours to refine sheen and movement.

As an overlay over decorative systems:

• Check the underlying system is fully cured, stable and clean.
• Apply any inter‑coat/primer if required.
• Apply 1–2 veils of Sabulador Soft to achieve the agreed look.

Because Sabulador Soft is applied as a thin overlay, coverage per litre is high. As a general guide, allow around 8–12 m²/L (two veils) on smooth, primed or decorative substrates. Highly textured or very absorbent backgrounds will reduce coverage; always confirm on a project sample.

You will typically need:

• Appropriate primer (e.g. PRIMART 600) and roller/brush to apply it
• A suitable decorative brush for Sabulador Soft veils (specified by ISF; often similar to PV76)
• Standard masking and protection materials

Recommended tools are listed on the ISF Tools & Accessories page.

For a typical feature wall, an experienced applicator can usually complete the Sabulador Soft cycle in 1 day (primer plus two veils), depending on drying conditions and wall size. Overlaying complex systems or multiple rooms may extend this.

Once fully cured, Sabulador Soft offers good resistance to everyday contact on vertical surfaces. Where a compatible clear sealer is specified, it becomes easier to wipe gently with a soft cloth and neutral detergent. Aggressive scrubbing or harsh chemicals should be avoided to preserve the sandy sheen.

Sabulador Soft is available in a curated palette of soft neutrals and gently coloured sandy tones. Because it is a veil, the final reading depends on both the Soft colour and the base colour. Italian Surface Finishes can help build sample combinations in the London Studio.

Sabulador Soft is supplied, tinted and technically supported in the UK by Italian Surface Finishes, the authorised Valpaint UK distributor. Colour calibration is carried out at the London Studio.

Yes. Sabulador Soft and its overlay behaviour feature in Valpaint London Academy modules, where applicators learn how to use Soft both as a primary finish and as a veil over other systems.

A typical short‑form specification might read:

“Decorative sandy overlay to interior walls shall be Valpaint Sabulador Soft, applied in accordance with Italian Surface Finishes’ written specification: substrate or existing decorative system prepared and, where required, primed; 1–2 thin veils of Sabulador Soft in selected colour, to approved sample.”