How Do You Rag Paint a Room?
Rag painting can transform an ordinary wall into a surface of texture and interest. Similar to sponge painting, this process produces a mottled or faux marble finish. There are different rag painting techniques, some where you actually apply the paint to the wall with the rag. In the technique discussed here, a brush is used to apply the paint and the rag is used to create the texture. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Paint
- Wide paint brush
- Old white T-shirts
- Satin or semi-gloss latex paint
- Flat latex paint
- Glazing medium
Instructions
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1
Choose four paint colors. You basically want the same color, in ranges from light to dark.
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2
Purchase the lightest paint color in a satin or semi-gloss latex. This will be used as the base coat. A satin or semi-gloss will slow the absorption of paint added to the wall during the rag painting process. Purchase enough of this color to give the wall one coat.
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3
Purchase the three other colors (light, medium and dark) in a flat latex paint.
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4
Purchase glazing medium (twice as much glazing medium as the flat latex paint).
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5
Mix each of the three colors (light, medium and dark) of the flat latex paint with glazing medium, 1 part paint to 2 parts glazing medium.
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6
Paint the wall with one coat of the base paint, using traditional painting methods. Allow to dry.
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7
Begin with the lightest color of paint/glazing mixture. Use the brush to randomly paint broad strokes on the wall. Work in a 2-foot by 2-foot area.
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8
Add the second color, using the brush to apply random broad strokes, in the same 2-foot by 2-foot area.
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9
Add the third color, using the brush to apply random broad strokes, in the same 2-foot by 2-foot area.
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10
Hold a T-shirt in your hand, creating a wide flat surface with the material. Press on the 2-foot by 2-foot area of wet paint and twist. Lift and repress and twist in a new location in the 2-foot by 2-foot area.
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11
Repeat until the painted area has the desired marble finish. When the paint is too thick on the T-shirt, rearrange the fabric and use a fresh section of the T-shirt. If necessary, use a fresh T-shirt.
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12
Repeat Steps 7 through 11 in an adjacent 2-foot by 2-foot section of the wall. Continue until the wall is finished.
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Tips & Warnings
Use lint free rags. Wear thin, disposable food handler's gloves, which you can easily dispose and replace during the process.
Do not overwork the wall.
