The tools you need for your plaster project depend on your finish. Earthaus plasters are applied by hand with a relatively small set of tools — nothing exotic. Most are standard plastering and drywall tools available at any hardware store or through the Earthaus Recommended Tools page.
Below is a breakdown of what's universal, what's finish-specific, and what you'll need for substrate prep.
Core Tools (All Plaster Finishes)
These are used for virtually every Earthaus plaster project (Tadelakt, Marble, Stone, Sand, Base):
Mixing:
Mixing drill — a 1/2" drill with a mixing paddle attachment
Mixing paddle (large) — for blending plaster with water and pigment
5-gallon buckets — at least 2 for mixing and holding plaster
Bucket brush — for cleaning buckets between batches
Bucket scraper — for getting all the material out of the bucket
Bucket scoop — for transferring plaster
Application:
Plaster hawk — holds the plaster while you work
Finish trowel — the primary application and smoothing tool. Must be stainless steel, clean, and free of nicks or rust. Carbon steel trowels can leave rust marks in lime plaster
Pool trowel — rounded-edge trowel useful for smoothing and finishing
Detail knife — for tight spaces, corners, and edges
Outside corner tool — for clean, consistent outside corners
General:
Spray bottle — for misting surfaces and controlling drying speed
Paint strainer — for straining plaster (mandatory for Marble, useful for others)
Sponge float — for texturing and cleanup
Painter's tape and plastic sheeting — for masking adjacent surfaces and protecting floors
Finish-Specific Tools
Tadelakt Finish. Tadelakt uses the core tool set plus the most specialty tools of any finish, because of its multi-step burnishing and sealing process:
1/8" notch trowel — for applying the first base coat over the thinset-prepared shower substrate
Neoprene float — used during the burnishing process
Polishing cloth — for final burnishing and sealing steps
Roller frame + soap roller cover — for applying Olive Oil Soap Sealer
Small roller — for applying Beeswax Protective Sealer
Roller grid — for loading rollers evenly
See the Earthaus Recommended Tools page for the Tadelakt tools in one place.
Marble Finish. Marble uses the core tool set, plus:
Paint strainer — mandatory. Marble Plaster must be strained before application to remove coarse aggregate. Skipping this step will prevent you from achieving a smooth, polishable surface.
Mixing tub — for straining into
Roller frame + soap roller cover + roller grid — for applying Olive Oil Soap Sealer
Stone Finish:
Roller frame + soap roller cover + roller grid — for applying Olive Oil Soap Sealer
Otherwise uses the core tool set
Sand Finish: Uses the core tool set — no additional specialty tools needed.
Base Finish:
Sponge float — plays a more prominent role for texturing the base coat surface
Otherwise uses the core tool set
Limewash. Limewash is the exception — it's brush-applied, not troweled:
Block brush — a large, flat Limewash brush. This is what gives Limewash its characteristic mottled, layered depth. Standard paint rollers can cover large areas faster but won't produce the same visual texture. See the Recommended Tools page.
Limewash pan — holds the Limewash while you work (similar to a paint tray)
Mixing paddle (small) — for stirring
Paint strainer — for straining before application
No hawk, trowel, or mixing drill needed.
Lime Slurry:
Block brush — can be brush-applied like Limewash
Limewash pan — for holding material
Mixing paddle (small) — for stirring
Lime Slurry can also be troweled for a different texture, in which case use the core trowel tools.
Lime Stucco (Exterior):
Pool trowel — primary application tool
Sponge float — for finishing texture
Outside corner tool — for corners
Digital scale — for measuring mix ratios accurately
PHL Binder (Natural Building):
Mortar mixer — PHL requires heavier-duty mixing than interior finishes
Pool trowel — for application
Plaster scarifier — for keying the surface between coats
Sponge float — for finishing
Substrate Prep Tools
Before any plaster application, the substrate must be properly prepared:
Drywall finishing supplies (tape, joint compound, knife) — substrate must be finished to Level 4 before priming
Paint roller and tray — for applying primer
Primer Grit — mixed into your primer to create the mechanical bond for plaster adhesion. Not a tool, but just as essential as one
Can I Use a Drywall Pan and Knife Instead?
Yes — many installers, especially those with drywall finishing experience, prefer a pan and knife over a hawk and trowel. The tool matters less than the technique: consistent thickness, even pressure, and clean tools. A stainless steel trowel is still recommended for smoothing and burnishing fine finishes like Tadelakt, Marble, and Stone.
Tool Care
Clean all tools immediately after use. Dried lime plaster is difficult to remove and will affect your next application.
Keep trowels rust-free. Any metal contamination will discolor lime plaster. Use stainless steel.
Replace or refinish trowels with nicks or rough spots. These leave marks in the finished surface.
Wipe trowels frequently during application with a damp sponge to keep the working face clean and smooth.
Where to Find Tools
Earthaus maintains a Recommended Tools page with the specific tools that work best with Earthaus products, organized by finish. These are recommendations — similar tools from any supplier will also work.
Questions?
Email support@earthausplaster.com or text 1-800-917-2414 — our team is happy to help.