What can be used for tadelakt plaster?

We tried with natural hydraulic lime and sand, and it failed.
Also tried with marble powder...
It was made by a profesional builder who said had done stucco and took information on internet about tadelakt.
The dark liquid soap we have here is "jabon potásico", potassium soap.... (the one sold to treat plants from aphids etc)

Is hydraulic lime adapted?
The result is a very thin layer that looks like tadelakt but can be removed by washing and still let powder on the hand!
I think he said to not put more than 20% sand, and is this the problem?

Or is this lime just too hydraulic?
A way to make mix between hydraulic and aerial?
Thanks

Hello X.N., et al,

I have not done a tadelakt sense my mother death but I am still in contact with several practitioners. I will try to cover some basics...

The soap you are using is incorrect. You need one that forms true oleic acid or a true "black soap" which is derived from olive oil. I do know some have attempted (achieved?) a tadelakt with hydraulic limes yet my mother and other masters of this craft would beat me for mentioning it...I have only used and been taught to use "hot limes," and I tend to use "hot limes" form much of my work when I do use lime, unless on a commercial job or were hydraulic lime has been specified.

Do you have an tadelakt craftspeople in your area you could spend a day or two with?

Here is some source that may be of assistance (some I know...some have been sent to me by students and I don't know them???)

http://www.puretadelakt.com/

http://www.caneloproject.com/tadelakt-in-france/

http://www.mikewye.co.uk/Tadelakt_Training_Course2.htm

http://www.darrita.com/tadelakt-morocco/

http://realfinishes.blogspot.com/2012/12/plaster-coating-series-moroccan-tadelakt.html#!

Good LUCK!

Regards,

j

I am close to Morocco but there are no tadelakt specialist around, and I have looked a lot on Internet, especially in French because there are more informations in this language (spoken in Morocco).

Here I have only hydraulic lime and white lime, that they use also in agriculture, and I guess this is what is called aerial lime in oposition with the hydraulic form...
They are both "extinguished" lime in opposition to the "hot" one, I think.

Hot lime was used here before but I do not find it any more. This is the one that burned you and had to be put in water as long as possible before using it?
I never saw that this was the lime they used in Morocco!

Actually, Ii have a very old and huge water tank that is still waterproof after 60 years, and it was obviously made with hot lime! But you can see that the finish was made with a brush, it is not so smooth.
I guess I should try to put a pic about it.

SOAP:
You might be right, what I have found is not so thick, though quite dark.
I used it because its use here is the same as the black soap I knew in France: we buy it for plant treating.
But they do not mention it is from olive oil....
So then, this black olive soap is not available in shops.
So, if this is possible to home-make it?

Hello Xisca,

Making black soap in a traditioanl way may be a challenge...I could look for an old recipe in from when my mom was alive, yet I don't think it would be as cost effective as buying it. Being on an island you either have to make stuff or buy it and I know that can be a really challenge. Hot limes are typically sold wherever the other limes are, just not well understood anymore. If you can get a pile of oyster shells, and burn them, you can make your own...(very long process but high quality if done well)...you can also make "tabby" lime from this or what some call tabby lime cement. I believe for a small bath or kitchen area, your best solution is to buy a kit and have it shipped to you. Let me know if I can help further.

Regards,

j