Can You Use Flat Paint for Faux Painting?

With just some flat latex paint, latex glaze and water you can transform a wall or piece of furniture into a work of art. Using the correct tool and technique will make your home come alive with color and style.

Types

There are two basic types of mixtures. A whitewash doesn't require that glaze be added into the mixture and so has a cloudier, less translucent finish. Whitewashes can also be blue or orange washes. A faux paint mixture will have paint, water and glaze. Faux finishes are more translucent and so create layers and depth.

Preparation

Before the artistic part begins, the object or wall must have a base coat, unless you're whitewashing or aging a sanded piece of furniture. This base coat will influence the overall look of the piece. For example, if you are creating a wood-grain finish, your base color could be light to dark beige, taupe or orange, depending on the type of wood grain you are trying to mimic.

Mixing

There are basic guidelines to follow to get your mixes to a usable viscosity. For washes, the ratio is about half paint to half water. Faux-paint mixtures require equal parts paint and water and half part glaze. Using one quart of paint, one quart of water and a half-quart of glaze should make enough mix for a few large walls.

Tools and Techniques

Whitewashes can be painted on with a brush or rubbed on with a rag. Faux finishes can be divided into two categories: wood grains and everything else. Using at least a three-inch chip brush and keeping a steady and consistent hand will help make a realistic wood grain. Most other finishes require a large brush, rag or sponge. All of these techniques do require a little bit of practice.

Practice

Before ruining that base coat, which you have let dry completely, you need to make some samples. This is also the best way to practice your technique. Anything solid and disposable will do, though a small piece of wood works best. Remember that it needs its own dry base coat before you can begin.