How to Faux Finish Stone
Painting a faux finish on stone can create a whole different look for your space. Sponge, rag roll or craft a marble effect or a scene with paint for the look you want. Follow step-by-step guidelines using special techniques with paint to design a space that defines you and your environment. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Dropcloths
- Gloves
- Protective eyewear
- Protective clothing
- Masonry cleaner
- Bucket
- Stiff brush
- Painting tape
- Paintbrushes: 1/2-inch and 3-inch
- Paint roller
- Paint roller pan
- Primer
- Paint: in the colors you choose for your design
- Glaze
- Sea sponges
- Rags
- Newspapers
- Paint buckets
- Sealer
Instructions
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Surface Preparation and Priming
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Lay down dropcloths and newspaper to protect the other areas of your space. Wear gloves, protective eyewear and protective clothing. Clean the stone surface with the masonry cleaner, bucket and the stiff brush, removing all dirt and debris. It is very important to thoroughly clean the surface so the primer will adhere to the stone.
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Tape the edges of the project to protect other areas from paint. Paint the stone with the primer. Use the paint roller and paint roller pan for wider coverage, and the 3-inch paintbrush for smaller areas or edging.
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Clean the paint roller, paint roller pan and the 3-inch brush. Let the primer dry completely. Follow the drying time listed on the primer container.
The Faux Finish Process
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Paint the base color of the faux finish. Use the paint roller and paint roller pan for wider coverage. Use the 3-inch paintbrush for smaller areas or edging. Allow the base coat to dry.
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In a paint bucket, mix the paint and glaze, following the directions on the glaze container. Glaze thins the paint so you can create special effects such as sponging or rag rolling. Glaze slows down the drying time so you can perfect your technique. Add each layer of paint depending on the faux finish you selected. Use the sea sponges, rags or 1/2-inch paintbrush to create different faux finishes.
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To create a sponged faux finish, mix the paint and glaze, following the directions on the glaze container. Use a separate sponge for each paint color. Dampen each sponge and squeeze out the excess water. Dip a sponge lightly into one of the paint colors you selected, and dab the sponge onto a newspaper so you can see what it will look like. Practice dabbing on the newspaper until you achieve the effect you want. Start sponging the project, stepping back frequently to observe your work. If you wish to add more paint to your sponged project, dip your sponge in the paint color and apply. To remove paint from your sponged project, sponge over it with a clean, dampened sponge.
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Use a paint bucket to add glaze to your rag roll paint color, following the directions on the glaze container. Paint a small section of a newspaper so you can practice your rag rolling method. Dampen a rag and squeeze out the excess water. Experiment with different ways of rolling the rag on the newspaper until you achieve the look you want. Use the paint roller and paint pan to paint the ragging color over the base coat of your project. Use the dampened rag to remove paint from the wall. The base coat will be seen through the rag rolled areas. Step back from your project and check your rolling consistency. To maintain an even look, clean the rag when necessary to remove excess paint. Roll more paint on the wall to fix areas where too much paint was removed.
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To paint a marble look, use a separate sponge for each paint color. Dampen each sponge and squeeze out the excess water. Dip a sponge lightly into one of the paint colors you selected, and dab the sponge onto a newspaper so you can see what it will look like. For this technique, blend the edges of the sponging carefully, so there are no obvious paint edges. When you have added the sponged colors, step back and look at the completed sponging. You will want a clear idea of where to start placing the veins in your faux marble. Use the ½-inch brush to create veins. Dip the paintbrush lightly into the paint. Use the side and the flat edge of the ½-inch paint brush to create a natural looking vein. Practice each step on the newspaper until you achieve the effect you want. Look carefully at your picture and take note of the direction of the veins and how they taper off into a thin line.
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When your faux finish is dry, paint the surface with clear sealer. This will protect your finished project from wear and tear. While your project is drying, clean all paintbrushes and reusable items.
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Tips & Warnings
Home improvement centers provide information on all types of faux finishes. Use the right products for your project. Exterior projects require exterior primer, paints and sealer. Use interior primer, paints and sealer for interior projects. Take your time and step back from your work to observe the overall effect. Don't be afraid to make changes or add more or less paint. You can always go over a section until you achieve the look you want.
Wear gloves, protective eyewear and protective clothing. Read and follow the directions on all products. Make sure you have proper ventilation. Dispose of products according to the directions on the container.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit JanTex_2193 by jandarmor
