How to Glaze a Wall

Glazing a wall is a step above the typical paint job; it adds texture and depth while hiding any surface imperfections. You start with paint as usual, but then add a tinted glaze over the dry base coat. Some of the glaze is removed with bunched cloth or a notched squeegee to leave attractive patterns. It takes a little effort, but when you're done, your walls will have a unique finish.

Things You'll Need

• Stepladder
• Painter's tape
• Drop cloth
• 2 semigloss paints in monochromatic colors
• Paintbrush
• Paint roller with cage
• Roller tray
• Squeegee
• Utility knife
• Ruler
• Neutral glazing medium
• Foam roller
• 2-inch trim brush
• Dry cloths

Instructions

1. Prepare your room as you normally would for painting -- apply painter's tape to trim and others areas that won't be painted. Lay down a drop cloth so paint won't splatter on your flooring or carpeting.

2. Paint the walls of your room with your base coat -- the lighter of your two semigloss paints. Cut in around the walls, ceiling and baseboard with a brush, then use a roller to apply the paint over the rest of the wall surfaces. Let the paint dry for several hours or overnight.

3. Cut small, evenly spaced notches in the rubber edge of your squeegee, using a utility knife. Place a ruler along the rubber edge and and cut the notches every two or three millimeters.

4. Mix 4 parts glazing medium with 1 part semigloss paint (the darker of your two colors). Pour the mixture into your roller pan. Apply the glaze to the walls with the foam roller. Use your trim brush for hard-to-reach spaces and around the trim.

5. "Comb" the wall with the notched squeegee while the glaze is wet. Move the squeegee in curved strokes to make a swirl design. Wipe excess glaze from the squeegee with a dry cloth as you work, to avoid dripping.

6. Allow the glaze to dry for three to four hours. Remove the painter's tape.

Tips & Warnings

• Test your glazing technique on a small section of the wall to find a pattern you like. You can wipe off the glaze while it's still wet if you don't like the pattern.

• As always, when painting, keep the space well-ventilated.

References

• Benjamin Moore: Color Washing
• Sunset Magazine: Glaze Walls Like the Experts -- Wall Glazing