Décapage

Description

• The décapage - or finition décapée - (rubing down/pickling - or rubed down/pickled finish –) results in a weared aged texture.
• It can be done on flat and uneven surfaces.
• The décapage is done “dry” without running water.
• It is carried out when the plaster has hardened considerably (past the point where it can be cut with the berthelet). The brush must stay clean and the removed chips fall down.
  
• Brush forcefully with a metal brush (brass or iron brush) until the surface begin to become coarse and make appears the inclusions of the material.
  
• An additional décapage can be done later. Note that the later the décapage the lighter the color.
  
• If the décapage leaves distinct imprints of the bristles, stop and wait for further hardening before continuing or choose a more flexible brush (brass instead of iron for example)
  
• Important : do not wet either the plaster, or the brush.

Tips

• An electrical hand brush may be used.

Needed tools

• brass or iron metal brush
  
• Alternatively, an electrical brush handtool.