Tips for Color Washing Walls with Paint and Glaze

Color washing is a new painting technique that leaves walls with a mottled, glazed effect that is both dramatic and simple. Color washing is the sky type look seen advertised in paint stores. Color washing the walls has
become quite popular. Supplies for color washing walls can be purchased anywhere paint is sold.

Color washing begins much like any other painting project. Supplies needed are latex paint, drop cloths, painter's tape, brushes, paint, rollers, mixing sticks, paint trays, sponges, rags, crumpled paper, textured fabric, glaze, a putty knife and joint compound. You may also want a small bucket to mix the glaze and paint for color washing the walls.

Remove all furniture from the room prior to color washing the walls. Spread out drop cloths to protect floors from color washing paint and glaze. Cover all trim with painter's tape. Any flaws in the surface of the walls should be filled with joint compound, smoothed over with a putty knife, and allowed to dry before color washing the walls.

Primer paint may be used if desired to create a friendlier surface for color washing. Once the primer is dry, the first (base) coat of color washing paint may be applied. This will usually be the lighter color of the two shades chosen. This layer is done just like any other paint job. The second color will accent this base color with a glaze effect.

The second (glaze) coat is applied after the first coat has dried. This is important as the two colors should not blend. The mottled effect of color washing the walls is obtained by using a sponge or rag to apply the second coat. It's important that both color washing wall colors remain true for the best effect.
Samples of the look can be seen here.

When the first coat of paint has dried on the walls it's time to apply the second coat. Mix the glaze and the second paint color in a proportion of 4 parts color washing glaze to 1 part paint. Now experiment on white paper to get the desired effect wanted for the mottled walls look. This is done by dipping either a sponge, cloth, brush, crumpled paper, or textured cloth in the paint glaze mixture and dabbing randomly..
Once the right technique and tools are found to give the desired effect, it's time to start putting the glaze and paint color washing mixture on the actual walls. Most people find it best to start in the center of
each of the taped off walls and work outward in a circular motion. The more color washing glaze and paint mix applied, the darker the second color will appear.

After the last coat is applied, protect the color washing paint by using a clear varnish or acrylic coating if desired. Be sure that all the paint is dried on the walls prior to this step. This will prevent smearing of the beautiful color washing job. After the varnish or acrylic coating are dry, remove all the drop cloths and paint tape and bring the furniture back into the room. Now you are ready to show off the color washing walls technique to friends and family.

Sources :

www.lowes.com