How to Faux Paint On Knockdown Texture

Knockdown and stucco texture is often glazed to create depth.

Faux painting creates a variety of looks, but not all can be recreated on knockdown texture. Finishes using a drywall trowel generally do not work over any form of rough plaster. When creating samples of your faux finishes, practice on textured wallpaper or drywall boards with knockdown texture. A glaze finish is one of the few paint finishes that may be applied to both plaster and smooth walls.

Things You'll Need

• Wicker chairs
• Table
• Porch swing
• Hammock
• Painting supplies
• Bead board
• Adirondack chairs
• Lobster trap
• Glass
• Surf board
• Fish net
• Quilt
• Throw
• Pillows
• Club chair
• Upholstered chairs
• Hutch
• Dishware
• Kitchen utensils
• Crock
• Salt and pepper shakers
• China teacups
• Books shelves
• Books
• Photographs
• Side table
• Floor lamps
• Slip covers
• Pendant lights
• Roman blinds
• Bamboo shades

Instructions

1. Prepare the paint and project area by removing all furniture from the room or away from the wall. Push back all furniture as far as possible and drape with plastic paint tarps, if unable to move from room. Protect flooring with drop cloths or other protective tarps.

2. Place painters' tape on all edges touching the knockdown texture that should not be painted. Rub tape firmly so glaze does not seep into crevices of texture. Brush on a coat of water-based acrylic paint on the border of the tape touching the knockdown texture to create a sealer. Allow to dry two to four hours.

3. Stir together one part glaze and one part satin acrylic paint. Mix well until the two liquids are fully infused into one solid color. Write down the exact ratio and paint color used for future reference.

4. Apply the glaze to the knockdown texture using a cloth mini-roller. Roll on quickly in random, natural sections that do not have clear straight edges. Do not make sections larger than three by four feet.

5. Crumble up a plastic trash bag or sections of the painters' plastic tarp. Loosely hold in your hand and pounce onto the glaze. The plastic will move the glaze into the knockdown's nooks and crannies. Continue to roll glaze onto the wall and manipulate with plastic until entire wall is painted.

6. Allow knockdown wall to dry. Drying times vary depending on paint, glaze and substrate. Some walls may take several hours to dry, and others a full day, when glazed. Return all furniture to original spaces when dry, and remove all paint equipment.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear gloves to avoid paint on your skin and fingernails. Use long dish washing gloves, because paint and glaze will get on your arms when using large plastic bags.

• Ensure your knockdown texture is base coated with a satin or eggshell sheen paint. Glaze will be immediately absorbed by flat sheen paint.

References

• "Its Faux Easy with Gary Lord"; Gary Lord; 2004.
• "Decorative Painting and Faux Finishes"; Sharon Ross; 2004