4. MATER SPECIAL EFFECTS
Once you feel confident in your paint handling skills, test yourself by taking it up a notch for some special effects.
Sponging
Combing
Rag rolling
Sponging
This look doesn't have to remind you of cheesy dentist office decor if done right. Sponging (that is, using a sponge to add some interesting splotchy color to the walls) can be done in a number of ways: with light colors over a white base coat or layering dramatic colors. Sponging is a useful technique in areas where you want to liven up a small space or add texture to a large expanse of wall. You can also use it, as with the other special effects, on only one wall in a room for variety and paint the other walls with either the background or the top layer of paint.
Here's how to do it:
- Prepare surfaces as described in step 2.
- Paint walls with the background color of your choice.
- Let the walls dry.
- Find a sponge with the desired texture, either a kitchen sponge or a funky sea sponge. Test it out first on a poster with your background color on it.
- Wet the sponge and dip into the paint you have chosen for the top layer. Pour the paint into a roller pan or a tray or plate.
- Blot extra paint from the sponge onto a paper towel.
- Dab the sponge onto the wall.
- Continuously reapply paint to the sponge so the paint doesn't fade. Rinse the sponge with water if it gets overloaded or clogged and squeeze out excess water.
- As you work, step back from the wall periodically to ensure you have the right amount of paint on the sponge and that the result looks good.
- Rotate the sponge every so often to get a varied effect. Remember to let some of the background color how through. You want the resulting wall to look evenly sponged.
- If using more than one color of paint, remember not to sponge too heavily with the first coat; otherwise the base coat will not show through.
- Remember that LESS IS MORE. This is supposed to be subtle, not freaky.
Combing
This technique lets you add texture and depth to a wall with a geometric or wavy look. It is achieved by running a notched window squeegee over wet paint. It actually puts lines in your paint job, putting lines in the wall. It can make a wall look incredibly interesting.
- Cover trim and adjoining ceiling space with masking tape.
- Prepare surfaces as described in step 2.
- Apply paint and let dry for one day.
- Buy a specially prepared comb at the hardware store (or make one by cutting notches into a window squeegee). Cut the notches as small or large as you want, and space them evenly across the squeegee.
- You can achieve various effects either by combing wet paint in one direction (e.g., ceiling to floor), making wavy lines (vertically or horizontally), or go for a plaid-effect by doing both horizontal and vertical strokes.
- On a small patch of wet paint, try out what you have in mind. When you've committed to a look, use even pressure throughout the stroke.
- If doing horizontal squiggles, use a roller across the wall and follow quickly with the squeegee. Repeat the process, using the squeegee to make parallel lines. Never stop the squeegee in mid-stroke.
- If doing vertical lines, use the roller from ceiling to floor and squeegee over the fresh paint.
- Repeat the process to cover the wall. Be quick, or the paint will dry and you will get a less defined effect.
Rag Rolling
This technique involves rolling cloth over wet paint, resulting in a textured look.
- Any clean cloth can be used. You might want to experiment with different materials on a small section of wall before starting. Try various textures such as cotton sheets, terry-cloth towels or potato sacks for a range of effects.
- Prepare surfaces as described in step 2.
- Apply paint and let dry for one day.
- Cover small sections with the desired paint color. You can use either oil-based or latex paint.
- Put on some gloves.
- Dip a bunched cloth across in a tray of differently-colored wet paint.
- Roll it up and down or in all directions on the wall, depending on the look you want.
- Repeat until entire section is done.
- If you want a more uniform look for an entire wall, try using one long rolled-up cloth such as a bed sheet. Get a friend or two to help you cover the entire wall at once.