Download the PDF here

ROMAN CLAY

Portola’s Roman Clay is an eco-friendly plaster-like finish ideal for smooth interior walls. Applied using a putty knife or trowel, Roman Clay provides a versatile finish able to achieve a wide range of stone, stucco, and marble-like effects, making it a perfect fit in both traditional and contemporary settings. This decorative, clay-based coating is made from natural ingredients, contains *no VOC’s, and lends a rustic originality to interior surfaces. Roman Clay is smooth to the touch with a mottled marble-like effect, comparable to Venetian plasters but with a more subtle, organic appeal. Achieve a natural, ultra-low sheen finish by leaving the final coat unsanded or add a protective coating and slight sheen with Portola’s Roman Clay Topcoat.

Suggested Applications

Roman Clay was designed for smooth interior drywall, preferably level 5 for the best results. It is not suitable for wet areas, like inside showers, or for exterior use.

Finish

Roman Clay is naturally very matte and has a smooth-to-the-touch, marble-like texture. The optional Roman Clay Topcoat will add a clear, eggshell-level sheen which can slightly deepen colors.

Colors

Roman Clay is available in a range of colors in our standard Roman Clay collection. Colors can appear different in each space due to levels of light, reflection, flooring, and even furniture selections, so we always recommend sampling in the space before deciding on the color that is right for the project. The lighter the color, the more subtle the visual movement will be. The darker, more pigmented colors show much more variation, so sampling is essential to ensure the correct color is chosen. Custom color matches and variations to standard collection colors are possible, with limitations. Each bucket is individually tinted and mixed to order, so slight variation between containers is possible.

Limitations

As Roman Clay is a clay-based coating, the material base naturally has an earthy undertone. Because of this, some bright white colors are not always achievable. Roman Clay is a marble-like matte finish, so depth and vibrancy of saturated colors can also have limitations. All of our samples are hand painted, and color and textures are approximate, not exact. The movement and texture of Roman Clay can vary from samples to the actual application. Roman Clay should not be applied below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or in direct sun or extreme heat.

SAMPLES: Samples are available for all of our standard Roman Clay colors. We have a selection of hand-painted paper samples ranging from Sample Chips (2.5”x2.5”), Drawdowns (8.5”x5.5”), and custom order Sample Boards (16”x16”). Please call or email for ordering and availability. We also have 4oz. Sample Jars available for purchase on our website, portolapaints.com. *Samples are not available for custom colors.

Available Sizes

Roman Clay is sold by weight, not volume, and is available in 1 kilo, 5 kilo, 10 kilo, and 20 kilo buckets.

Coverage Rates

These square footage estimates are based on the average to include both a base coat and final coat.

1 kilo (Approx. 20 - 25 sq ft)
5 kilo (Approx. 100 - 125 sq ft)
10 kilo (Approx. 200 - 250 sq ft)
20 kilo (Approx. 400 - 500 sq ft)

Availability, Lead Times, and Shipment

Every bucket of Roman Clay is tinted to order and we do not keep colors on the shelf. Lead times can vary, typically ranging from 2-5 business days for production with standard ground shipping orders. Expedited options are also available. Shipping transit times will vary based on weight and destination zip code as we ship directly from our North Hollywood warehouse. Our products are available for shipping domestically and internationally.

Roman Clay is a water-based product and should not be allowed to freeze as it will affect the viability of the product. We ship year-round, but do not recommend shipping material if it is going to travel through regions that experience 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below temperatures. We ask that you wait to place your order during warmer temperatures if there are concerns of product potentially freezing in transit. Portola Paints is not responsible for shipments that are frozen since weather is uncontrollable.

Tools for Application

Roman Clay is applied with a putty knife or trowel. A flexible, stainless steel putty knife is usually the preferred application tool, with exceptions. When applying the lighter colors of Roman Clay, a stainless steel knife can cause gray burnish marks, so opting for a white plastic knife is often preferred. If you desire a bit more visual movement from the lighter colors, using a steel knife for the first coat and a plastic knife for your final coat is optional. We recommend 6 to 10 inch knives, depending on the size and scale of the surface. Flexible Bondo knives can be used to apply Roman Clay to smooth rounded surfaces, such as columns.

Primers + Sealers

Roman Clay can be applied over our All Purpose Base (primer) or other water-based all-purpose primer. The Roman Clay Topcoat is an optional sealer. It is recommended in high traffic areas as the topcoat will protect from basic dirt and wear. It is not resistant to some oils or liquids, so it is not recommended for areas with constant direct contact with water, or where grease or harsh chemicals might come in contact (i.e., kitchen backsplash).

Application Steps

1. Substrate Preparation
2. Primer
3. Base Coat (Roman Clay)
4. Sanding
5. Final Coat (Roman Clay)
6. Roman Clay Topcoat (optional)

1. SUBSTRATE PREPARATION

• Roman Clay should be applied to smooth interior drywall, preferably level 5. Any texture, such as orange peel or knockdown, is going to cause difficulties in application.
• Roman Clay needs to be applied in thin, tight, overlapping coats and is not intended to fill any imperfections, holes, or gaps.

2. PRIMER

• For new drywall surfaces - Applying a stain-blocking drywall primer with a ⅜ to ½ nap roller for the best application.
• You may also lightly sand the primer to remove some of the texture left from the roller.
• We recommend you always wear the proper face masks when sanding.
• For previously painted walls - In most cases, if the surface has been previously painted with an ultra-flat paint in white or a similar color to your Roman Clay, is in good condition and free of staining or patching, it is typically fine to begin your Roman Clay application.
• However, the best practice is to prime the surface with a stain-blocking primer to prevent any of the existing history of your walls from showing through. Oils and existing stains can show through if not properly prepped.
• Sanding the primer to get rid of nap roller texture can help with application.
• PRO TIP - You may want to use our Ultra Flat Acrylic Paint in the same color as a base coat after you prime the surface for a much smoother and quicker application. This is helpful when applying dark colors. Tinting your primer for lighter shades is also an option.

3. BASE COAT (ROMAN CLAY)

• Use 8-10 inch metal or plastic knives for larger surfaces. 6-inch metal or plastic knives may be used for smaller surfaces.
• Pull knife with material 3 to 4 ft strokes.
• The thinner the material is pulled the faster it will dry, and the more quickly it can be recoated.
• Make sure it’s covered approximately 60-70% opaque
• Let dry for 2-4 hours
• Trust the process! The first coat is intended to be a good base for the wall. You will start to see more of the movement with the final coat.
• PRO TIP - You can use a small blade to carve clean edges while the Roman Clay is drying but still moldable. You can also use fingers to dab material into tight corners.

4. SANDING

• Lightly sand high or rough spots with 320-400 grit sandpaper.
• Wipe off excess residue with a clean, dry or barely damp painter's rag.
• Dark colors can look chalky after sanding, so wiping with a barely damp rag can revive the color.
• Detail corners and edges.

5. FINAL COAT (ROMAN CLAY)

• This is where you will start to see more highlights and movement.
• Should take about half the time of the base coat.
• Thin coats show more movement.
• Use shorter strokes.
• Pressure can affect the highlights/variation.

5. ROMAN CLAY TOPCOAT (OPTIONAL)

• Roman Clay Topcoat should be applied just like the Roman Clay finish, using a putty knife/trowel, applying the material in a thin/tight coat.
• Prior to application of the Roman Clay Topcoat, sanding is a necessity.
• Not sanding before sealing the finish may result in excess material being applied, leading to milky or discolored areas, and yellowing over time.
• Sand any high spots down with the same 400 grit sandpaper.
• Roman Clay Topcoat does not waterproof or stain-proof the finish.
• PRO TIP - If the finish is applied in a high moisture area, multiple thin coats of the sealer may be applied for added protection. Note that each layer of topcoat will add more sheen.

Clean up and Storage

Roman Clay is water-based and can be cleaned up with water. For the best storage, we recommend using a spatula to clean the sides and lid of the bucket to prevent material from drying up and falling into the material at the bottom. Roman Clay should be stored fully sealed in a cool area out of direct sunlight.

Care

Roman Clay is a decorative wall finish which can be more delicate than regular paint in certain applications. It can act similar to a matte or ultra-flat paint.

• A barely damp rag should be used to wipe down the sealed or unsealed finish to try to minimize potential permanent water marks from penetrating the finish. As long as the sealer (Roman Clay Topcoat) has been applied on top of the Roman Clay, it is washable with light cleaning detergents. It is recommended to use a little mild dish soap without dyes or perfumes in warm water with the soft side of a sponge to clean scuffs.
• If sealed, we would recommend re-applying the sealer every few years or so just to add an extra layer of protection if the Roman Clay is in high traffic areas.

Touch Ups

A touch-up with Roman Clay can be attempted, but it will be a little tricky to make it “seamless.”

• Unsealed Roman Clay - For small scuffs that won't come out with soap and water, you can use very fine grit (400-600) sandpaper on the area to remove it.
• Wipe the lightly sanded areas with a barely damp rag to bring back some of the color and depth.
• If that is not sufficient to get rid of the mark, you can consider doing a light coat with Roman Clay and try to feather it out to make it blend in as best as possible.
• Roman Clay with Topcoat - If you use very fine grit sandpaper on a small scuff to remove it, you will want to apply a thin layer of the protective sealer on the sanded area.
• You can consider buffing in the sealer with an old t-shirt or a painter's rag.
• Be mindful not to overlap the sealer with existing sealer to minimize overlapping lines and added sheen.

Technical Services and Support

We have customer service representatives available to assist with all sorts of technical questions and support. We are available by phone or email during normal business hours.

• Phone: (323) 655-2211
• Email: info@portolapaints.com

SAFETY: IMPORTANT HEALTH & SAFETY CAUTIONS: INHALATION OF MIST, DUST, OR SIMILAR PARTICULATE MATTER RESULTING FROM SPRAYING OR SANDING CAN BE HARMFUL. Use or apply only with sufficient ventilation. Wear NIOSH-approved N95 particulate filter mask when spraying or sanding. DO NOT INGEST! If inadvertently swallowed, immediately drink 1 or 2 glasses of water and contact a physician. Dial 911 emergency services in the event of a severe adverse reaction. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. In the event of eye contact, immediately flush with water for 15 minutes. In the event of skin contact, wash thoroughly with soap and water. Do not ingest. Check to ensure that the container is completely sealed after each use. Keep away from children.

Applicable to California residents:
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm – www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

SDS: SDS are available upon request via phone or email.

*“Zero VOC” means “No organic solvents added.” (Trace amounts of VOC may be present as residual components of other ingredients. Portola Paints uses Zero VOC colorants; other additives may increase VOC emissions.)

© Portola Paints 2000-2024