Meteore 10 Intonaco — application guide

System overview

Meteore 10 Intonaco is a lime‑based decorative plaster designed to recreate the soft, natural texture of Italian stone and intonachino‑style walls. Curated and tinted in the UK by Italian Surface Finishes, it delivers a calm, mineral, stone‑like finish suitable for both contemporary and traditional interiors.

The Intonaco system is a two‑coat lime plaster build applied over a regulated, primed substrate:

• Primer: Primer 1200, diluted about 30 % with water, 1 coat.
• Base coat: Meteore 10 Intonaco — establishes coverage and base movement.
• Design coat: Meteore 10 Intonaco — refined to create Spatolato, Civile or Pennellato textures.
• Optional protection: Vetro Opaco / Vetro Lucido or Cera Wax where increased durability is required.

Always use this guide together with the Meteore 10 Intonaco Technical Data Sheet for full performance, safety and coverage data.

Step‑by‑step method

1. Substrate preparation
   Ensure the substrate is clean, dry, flat and structurally sound. Repair cracks, fill defects and sand to an even plane. Remove dust, grease and any unstable paint. Apply 1 coat of Primer 1200 diluted about 30 % with clean water, evenly across the surface. Allow to dry for approx. 4 hours at 20 °C.
2. First coat — base movement
   Using a stainless‑steel trowel (e.g. PV 43), apply a thin, continuous layer of Meteore 10 Intonaco. This coat establishes coverage and initial mineral movement. Remove excess material and avoid heavy ridges or sharp lines. Allow to dry for approx. 6–8 hours, depending on temperature and humidity.
3. Second coat — stone texture
   Apply a second thin design coat using the same trowel. While the material is still workable, use natural, irregular strokes to create the chosen stone / intonachino reading — from smoother Spatolato to more open Civile effects. Light compression unifies the texture and closes the surface without adding unwanted shine.
4. Effect variations
   Adjust tool and movement for each variant:
   • Spatolato: flatter, overlapping strokes with moderate compression for refined stone.
   • Civile: slightly thicker build with closer, tamped strokes to create a civil plaster texture.
   • Pennellato (Brushed): use a brush to create directional grain in the top coat.
   • Spatolato with Scaglie: add SCAGLIE NATURALI to the pre‑tinted Intonaco for natural flakes in the surface.
5. Optional refinements & protection
   After full drying, lightly sand or polish local high points if a more refined stone finish is desired. Where increased washability or stain resistance is needed (corridors, stair cores, hospitality), apply a compatible protective finish such as Vetro Opaco, Vetro Lucido or Cera Wax in 1–2 coats, following the relevant technical data.

Application video

The official Valpaint method video below shows the Intonaco application cycle. Use it together with ISF’s UK‑adapted written specification and any project‑specific notes.

Professional tips

• Work with relaxed strokes. Intonaco should feel calm and natural. Avoid repetitive, mechanical movement — vary direction and pressure to keep the stone reading authentic.
• Plan sections. Work wall‑by‑wall and keep edges wet where possible to avoid visible lap marks or cold joints.
• Use a plastic trowel for softness. A plastic finishing trowel can soften marks and reduce the risk of burnishing when you want a more diffused stone texture.
• Match the lighting. Evaluate textures under the same lighting (direction and colour temperature) that will be present in the finished scheme; adjust texture and compression accordingly.
• Sample boards. As with all high‑end lime plasters, agree colour and texture on sample boards before starting large areas or multi‑room schemes.

Safety & environment

Meteore 10 Intonaco is a lime‑based, water‑borne, low‑VOC mineral system. It contributes to breathable wall build‑ups and good indoor air quality when used correctly.

• Ensure adequate ventilation during application and drying.
• Wear gloves, eye protection and suitable work clothing.
• Store products between +10 °C and +30 °C; protect from frost.
• Do not wash tools into drains or watercourses; dispose of residues responsibly.

Technical & project resources

Use these links to move between method, technical information, FAQs and training, or to explore tools and catalogue references for Meteore 10 Intonaco and related systems.