How to Apply a Rag Rolling Paint Technique

Rag rolling is a technique used on walls to provide interesting texture, depth and dimension. The process be used different ways. It can be used to add a additional paint color or glaze to a solid colored wall to remove parts of a glaze coating from the wall. Both techniques are simple with the right products and guidelines.

Things You'll Need

• Paint
• Paintbrush, roller, or sprayer
• Glaze
• Clear latex
• Rags
• Drop cloths
• Painter's tape
• Practice board
• Tarps
• Mask
• Rubber gloves
• Safety goggles

Instructions

1. Decide which wall to use for the technique. It can be done on all of the walls in a room or simply on one or two accent walls.

2. Determine how many and which colors of paint and/or glaze to use. Decide if the base wall will be lighter or darker than the color to be rag rolled or vice versa.

3. Move furniture away from the walls to be painted. Cover it with a tarp for protection. Lay drop cloths at the base of the walls. Mark off any woodwork or other areas that are not to be painted with painter's tape.

4. Paint the wall the base color. You can use any paint method you prefer; brush, roller, spray, or combination thereof. Allow the wall to dry thoroughly before moving to the next step. Also check to make sure that the painter's tape is intact and doesn't require reapplication.

5. Dilute the paint to be ragged onto the wall if it isn't a pre-mixed glaze made specifically for that purpose. Begin with a mixture that is two-thirds paint and one-third water. Test on a practice board to see if the solution gives you the effect desired or if it requires further dilution. Continue adding water to the mixture until the test results match what you desire.
   For pre-mixed glaze, follow the instructions given on the paint container. Most glazes don't require further dilution.

6. Roll the paint or glaze onto the wall using the following technique. Dip the rag into the paint or glaze mixture, being careful not to over saturate. Twist the cloth to distribute the paint. Beginning at the top part of the wall, roll the twisted rag downward with steady, even pressure. Be sure to change directions of the rag regularly, using differing angles with each adjustment to create the textured design. Keep using the technique down or across the wall until you reach a natural stopping point like a doorway, window, or another wall corner.

7. Using a new cloth of the same fabric type, repeat the step above, continuing the rag rolling technique until the entire wall is finished. Allow the wall to dry thoroughly before doing anything else.

8. Apply a glaze like a metallic or opalescent to any wall using basically the same techniques outlined in Steps 6 and 7 above. Try using a smaller rag or one of a different texture in order to vary the overall look if it is to be on top of a previously rag rolled wall. Dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.

9. Use the rag rolling subtraction technique. Apply a thin coat of the chosen glaze onto the wall according to the instructions outlined with the glaze. Do small sections at a time so that the glaze doesn't have time to completely dry before you roll it off. Twist the dry rag and beginning at the top of the wall, begin rolling off part of the glaze as you move around the glazed wall section. Again, be sure to change directions and apply different angles in order to get the desired look. Use a new cloth each time you glaze a new section of the wall. Continue the technique until the wall is completed.

10. Apply a coat of clear acrylic paint over the entire wall. Follow the instructions as outlined on the product brand chosen.

Tips & Warnings

• Generally two or three colors are used in this painting technique; the base wall color and one or two glaze or diluted paint colors. Use a paintbrush to apply wall glaze in a thin but even coat if using the rag folling subtraction process.

• Don't use a rag that is dripping paint. It is too saturated and will not achieve the look desired. Never stop rolling in the center of a wall. Make sure the paint is totally dry before removing the painter's tape and drop cloth. Once complete, the furniture can be put back into place.