How to Faux Paint by Sponging

Sponging is one of the easiest faux painting techniques. It creates a light, airy texture that adds interest to your walls and covers imperfections on the wall surface.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper Plates Or Towel
• Natural Sea Sponges
• Ladders
• Roller Trays
• Drop Cloths
• Glazes
• Rubber Gloves
• Acrylic Paints
• Buckets

1. 

   Paint the wall a solid color. This will be your background color.

2. Select an acrylic paint color that contrasts nicely with the background color.

3. Prepare and tint a glaze with the acrylic paint you've chosen to create your desired glaze color.

4. Pour the tinted glaze into a roller tray.

5. Rinse a sea sponge in a bucket of clean water and wring it out.

6. Dip one side of the sponge into the glaze. Avoid saturating the sponge; the glaze should stay on the surface of the sponge.

7. Press the sponge onto a paper plate or towel to remove excess glaze.

8. 

   Press the sponge against the wall, using a light touch.

9. 

   Rotate the sponge in your hand and twist your wrist from left to right as you dab the sponge on the wall.

10. 

    Repeat steps 6 through 9 until the surface of the wall is covered.

Tips & Warnings

• You'll be able to do 5 to 10 dabs on the wall with each load of glaze from the tray.
• Avoid turning the sponge while it's on the wall, unless you like a smeared effect.
• Use a glaze designed specifically for faux finishes - it gives a sense of translucence and depth to the wall. Flat paint just looks flat.
• Cut a smaller piece of sponge in order to get the glaze evenly into corners and ceiling edges.
• Have adequate ventilation while you're painting and while paint is drying.
• Use caution when working on a ladder. Make sure it's stable before climbing on.
• Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and make washing up easier.

on 11/22/2005 Buy a $1.00 dustpan, press it close to the edges on floor, carpet and walls to keep the paint off the carpet and edges! It works great! It's cheap and reusable!

on 11/22/2005 1. Prepare walls with a base color. This can be dark or light. Dry thoroughly.
2. Using a mixture of glaze with acrylic paint or satin paint, quickly roll a large section on the wall.
3. Taking a large sheet of Saran Wrap, cover the wall, then press with your palms or objects.
4. Peel off the Saran Wrap without dragging it across the paint.

on 2/12/2007 There is no need for glazing when doing any kind of faux painting. When using a sponge or a rag just dip it into the paint you have selected. I always use a satin paint. Just blot it first onto a paperbag or craft paper. This takes off the excess paint on your sponge or rag. Then blot or roll away! It's less expensive without the glazing. All you do is pick out a color and go. There's no mixing or measuring. -Deb