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Italian Surface Finishes in UK

Sabulador Lux & Matt — Application Guide

UK‑adapted application cycle for this sandy luminescent wall system — from substrate preparation and PRIMART 600 through two coats of Sabulador Lux or Matt and PV76 re‑brushing, tuned for repeatable results on residential and hospitality projects.

Sandy luminescent Lux & Matt PV76 brush method
Application of Sabulador Lux & Matt on a feature wall

VALPAINT SABULADOR LUX & MATT · PRIMART 600 · PV76 RE‑BRUSH · TAUGHT BY ITALIAN SURFACE FINISHES IN UK

System overview

Sabulador Lux & Matt is Valpaint’s sandy luminescent wall system. Applied over PRIMART 600 and brushed with the PV76 artistic brush, it builds a fine mineral body whose grains are re‑organised to catch light in controlled dunes and ripples.

The standard Sabulador system is typically built as:

  • Smooth, sound, dry substrate (plaster / plasterboard) prepared and filled as required.
  • 1–2 coats of PRIMART 600, dilution adjusted to substrate absorption.
  • First coat of Sabulador Lux or Matt with PV76 — continuous sandy film.
  • Second Sabulador coat with PV76, working wall‑by‑wall.
  • Timed re‑brushing with clean PV76 to align grains and define movement.
  • Optional clear sealer in higher‑wear zones.

Step‑by‑step method

  1. Substrate preparation
    Ensure the surface is clean, dry, stable and smooth. Remove loose coatings, fill cracks and defects, sand level and carefully de‑dust. Strong colour or texture variations should be evened out before priming.
  2. PRIMART 600 primer
    Apply PRIMART 600 as a regulating primer:
    • On older, porous substrates: 1 coat diluted ~50 % with clean water; after ~4 hours, 1 coat diluted 15–20 %.
    • On new, stable substrates: 1 coat diluted 15–20 % is typically sufficient.
    Allow the final coat to dry fully before proceeding.
  3. First Sabulador coat (Lux or Matt)
    Stir thoroughly. Using the PV76 artistic brush, apply the first coat in short, multi‑directional strokes over areas of 1–2 m² at a time. Aim for a continuous sandy film without ridges; this is the base, not yet the final pattern.
  4. Second Sabulador coat
    After approx. 3–4 hours (at 20 °C and normal humidity), apply the second coat using the same PV76 brush technique, keeping a wet edge and working wall‑by‑wall to avoid lap marks.
  5. Re‑brushing — “drawing the light”
    After around 5–10 minutes, when the second coat has started to set but remains workable, return with a clean, dry PV76:
    • Re‑brush gently to align grains into dunes, ripples or directional strokes.
    • Work in continuous passes; avoid stopping mid‑wall.
    • Adjust pressure and speed to control intensity — less for calm Matt readings, more for pronounced Lux highlights.
  6. Final checks
    Inspect the walls under the actual project lighting (daylight and artificial). Confirm pattern continuity, edge consistency and that Lux vs Matt behaves as agreed during sampling.

Application video

The Sabulador film below shows the PRIMART 600 priming phase, Sabulador coats and PV76 re‑brushing. Use it alongside Italian Surface Finishes’ written specification and any project‑specific notes supplied for your job.

Sabulador Lux & Matt application method — edited for UK specification by Italian Surface Finishes.

Professional tips from the London Studio

  • PV76 is non‑negotiable — generic brushes struggle to control the sandy body and often leave harsh comb marks.
  • Work wall‑by‑wall — particularly for the second coat and re‑brushing to avoid dry joints.
  • Box your material — mix tins of the same colour together before application to minimise batch variation.
  • Sample under project lighting — lock in Lux vs Matt choice, direction and intensity on a sample board before site work.
  • Mask sensitively — use quality tapes on well‑primed backgrounds; remove while the finish is just set to avoid tearing.

Safety & environment

Sabulador Lux & Matt are water‑based decorative coatings with low VOC content (Matt with very low TVOC intent). They are suitable for residential, retail and hospitality interiors when applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

  • Ensure good ventilation during application and drying.
  • Wear gloves and eye protection; avoid contact with skin and eyes.
  • Do not discharge product or wash‑water into drains or watercourses.
  • Store sealed between +5 °C and +30 °C; protect from frost and direct heat.

Technical & project resources

Sabulador Lux & Matt, applied through the Italian Surface Finishes framework of Studio, Academy and Approved Applicator Network, provides a repeatable way to create sandy luminescent feature walls that feel architectural rather than “special effect”.