How to Do Special Paint Effects called Rag Rolling/Ragging

If you are looking for a decorative way to provide color and texture to your walls, then rag rolling may be the technique you want. This artistic process allows you to create the illusion of a highly textured wall without the mess and work of adding plaster or another similar material. While traditional ragging practices involve creating patterns on the wall with a rag, newer rag rolling paint tools allow you to get the same look with less time and effort.

Things You'll Need

• Latex paint base color
• Latex paint secondary color
• Faux technique glaze
• Disposable gloves
• Paint roller
• Nap roller cover
• Rag roller tool
• Cloth rags
• Paint tray
• Paint stirrer
• Painter's tape
• Nylon paintbrush
• Stepladder
• Tarp or plastic sheeting

Instructions

Preparing the Surface

1. Remove all furniture from the room. If this is not possible, move the furniture as far from the walls (into the middle) as you can.

2. Wash and completely dry the walls. Fill any cracks or nail holes with plaster. Line painter's tape along window frames, baseboards, door frames, and ceiling-wall meeting points -- areas you do not want to paint. Press the tape firmly so there will be no seepage.

3. Cover the floor and any remaining furniture with a tarp or plastic sheeting. This may get slippery as you move around. Weight or tape the covering down to minimize accidents.

Traditional Ragging

1. Apply your base paint color to the walls. Pour your paint into a tray, and use a nylon brush to paint along the taped areas, corners, and places where walls meet. Use a roller to paint the rest of the walls. Allow the paint to dry. Apply a second coat if needed.

2. Pour your secondary, or ragging color, into a clean paint tray. Cover a rag completely with the paint. Squeeze out any excess paint.

3. Squeeze the rag into a crinkled ball. Dab the rag ball over the wall, adding a textured pattern over the base paint. Press the rag onto the surface and twist it as you go along to make a more elaborate or intricate look.

4. Remove the painter's tape once the sections are completely dry.

Rag Rolling

1. Pour a base color into a paint tray. Paint along the taped areas and corners with a brush. Paint the rest of the walls with a nap roller. Allow the paint to dry completely. Apply another coat if necessary.

2. Pour the faux technique glaze into a clean, dry paint tray. Use a clean nap roller to cover a 3- to 4-square-foot section of the wall.

3. Immediately roll your rag roller over the glaze to remove some of it. This will create the textured, rag look. To achieve a maximum pattern and textured finish, avoid rolling only up and down. Vary your motions horizontally and diagonally.

4. Use the traditional ragging method (with the glaze) to rag the corners and areas near taped edges. You may also want to use the traditional method for blending seams between rolled areas.

5. Allow the glaze to dry, then remove the painter's tape.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear disposable gloves for the entire painting process.

• A small stepladder can help you to reach high places on the walls.

• Avoid saturating the wall with the second coat color or glaze. You will still need to see the base coat for the effect to work.

References

• ArtSparx.com: Rag Rolling