Faux Finish Painting Techniques

A faux finish can do so much for a room that is otherwise dull and boring. It can create depth and texture, add a touch of elegance, a dash of color, or just create a unique ambiance. There are so many faux finishes to choose from such as: leather finish, faux clouds, denim finish, faux brick finish, silk finish, parchment finish, marble finish, suede finish, etc.

There are various techniques that are employed to create these faux effects. In order to get the best effects, it is advisable to use the best quality tools, glazes, and paints. Although the initial cost of high quality materials may be more, however, in the end you will find yourself saving money, headaches, as well as time by using them rather than cheaper ones.

Whether you want to create a suede faux finish for your den or a cloud effect in your living room, it is important to not rush through the surface preparation process. Taking your time over it and doing it right is very important. The surface preparation includes: getting the room cleared of furniture, cleaning up the room, washing the walls, patching up the cracks and holes, priming, taping off around the windows, ceilings, woodwork, etc.

Also, before actually beginning painting on the walls, it is advisable to try out any technique that you want on a practice board.

There are many types of faux finish painting techniques such as: color washing, sponge painting, crackle painting, ragging, rag rolling, and painting stripes. Given below are a two of the most popular finishing techniques - color washing and sponge painting - which you can learn in order to create these special finishing effects.

Color Washing

You can create an interesting worn look that provides an allure and can work with a whole variety of interior decoration styles, from classical to modern. The overlapping strokes of the brush, which are visible, almost gives the effect of worn stucco.

Color washing is also hides slight imperfects or damage on the walls. The subtle textured finish hides imperfections by drawing the eye away from it and into the design. This faux painting technique works very well with bright colors, especially reds, oranges and yellows.

If you color wash with a white base coat and add a brigh golden glaze, you can achieve a finish that is akin to Provencal or Tuscan stucco. This technique is also great with pearlescent and metallic glazes.

Here are some of the things you will need:

The Paints

• Latex Paint in Semi-Gloss (in the base color of your choice)
• Glaze for Faux Technique (in contrasting or complementing color)

Paint Applicators and Supplies

• Roller Frame
• ⅜" Nap Roller Cover
• 2" Poly/Nylon Brush (angled)
• 3" Poly/Nylon Trim Brush (not angled)
• 2" Painter's Tape
• Rags (lint-free)

1: Applying the Base Coat

Start by putting tape around the floor trim, doors, windows, ceiling, and all other woodwork that you have in your room. Using the polyester-nylon brush, begin 'cutting in' around the trim work and ceiling.

Load the ⅜" roller moderately with the semi-gloss base paint and begin applying it on the wall. While you are rolling, each section should be finished with a smooth stroke from the ceiling to the floor in order to eliminate the marks of the roller.

The second coat should be applied 4-6 hours after applying the first coat. Then, you will have to wait for about 24 hours, until the second coat dries, before starting the faux technique.

2: Applying the Faux Coat

Dip the 3" poly/nylon trim brush very lightly into the glaze, so that you get the paint just on the tips of the bristles. Then, begin applying it on the walls with a random crisscross pattern made of X's that overlap, making sure that the base color is visible. The X's ought to be about 6" long and need to be blended together seamlessly.

Do not work up and down directly while applying the glaze coat; instead, apply the paint in diagonal sections. This will help to prevent 'dark spots' or visible lines in the places where there is an overlapping of more than one coat of glaze.

Don't stop before completing the whole wall at one stretch.

3: Softening the Effect

Once you finish a wall, go back to the starting point and start dabbing lightly on the glaze, which is still damp, using a rag that is a little damp, in order to soften the brushstrokes. Then, let the surface dry for 24 hours.

If you want to, you can use the same crisscross technique to apply a second coat of the color glaze. This will help to create lighter and darker areas as the glaze begins drying, thus creating a dappled, textured look.

Sponge Painting

This faux finishing technique is also very popular because of the unique textured effect it creates as well as the ease of applying it. The depth and texture created is due to the porous nature of a sponge. This effect can be either pronounced or subtle, according to the technique of application.

The Paints

• Latex Paint in Semi-Gloss (in the base color of your choice)
• Glaze for Faux Technique (in complementing color)

Paint Applicators and Supplies

• Natural Sea Sponge
• Roller Frame
• ⅜" Nap Roller Cover
• 2" Poly/Nylon Brush (angled)
• 2" Painter's Tape
• Rags (lint-free)

Apply the base coat exactly as it is done in the color washing technique explained above.

Applying the Sponge Painting Technique

If the sea sponge you have bought is very large, use a pair of scissors to cut it into more manageable pieces. Make sure to have a few smaller pieces to use in tight places and corners.

The sea sponge should be dampened with water and wrung out thoroughly. Now, use a paintbrush to apply a little glaze on the sponge. If there is an excess of the glaze, blot it out with a clean cotton rag. If you dip the sponge directly into the glaze, it will absorb too much of the paint, which will not help in creating the texture and depth of the sponge finish.

Use twisting motions of your hand in various directions to apply the glaze on the surface of the wall. It is important not to press too hard or squeeze the sponge too much. Make sure to overlap and fill in any gaps in order to prevent a blotchy effect.

Reload glaze on the sponge as required. If you find that the sponge is collecting too much paint, just rinse it out in water and wring it out.

If you want to use a second color of glaze on the top of the first, you will need to wait for about four hours, so that the first coat dries, before you can apply the second color.