Shiny Clay Wall Finish Sealed with Oil & Wax polished to a Mirror Finish Burnished Plaster
There are plenty of ways to polish clay, this is just one I put together for this video, but the concepts are the same for other polished plasters, like tadelakt.
This technique is not suited for wet areas, such as showers or floors. It is only water resistant, not waterproof.
Plaster mixes:
These mixes vary greatly depending on your substrate, weather, clay, sand, and application. And a test should be made first sampling everything.
First mix fill, or base coat:
1/8 screened clay 1.25 gal
1/8 screened sand 2.5 gal
Water 0.75 gal
This layer is just to level your base, if your wall is relatively level already you can skip this coat-layer.
Base layer for polish:
Clay 0.5 gal
Marble sand 1 gal
Water 0.5 gal
This is the main layer, and most of what makes up the finish. As mentioned in the video, glue can add strength and prevent delaminates while applying the cream layer, also this layer could be applied in two layers if it's easier.
Cream mix, or clay slip:
Clay 1 cup
Water 3/4 cup
This layer is for filling small pores, and adding clay to the surface, which is what makes it shiny.