How to Paint an Arch
Painting an arch can boost the appeal of any room. The process is much like painting any other wall. Take the same precautions you would in painting other interior or exterior facades -- wear old clothes, keep paints and materials away from children. Get creative in considering which shades, tints and level of brightness to use to make your archways stand out.
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Things You'll Need
- Painter's tape
- Drop cloth
- Paint
- Rollers
- Roller pan
- Brushes
- Sponges
- Towels
- Ladder
Instructions
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1
Line ceilings and door frames with painter's tape. Press one edge of the tape flush against the ceiling -- where the top of the wall or arch meets the ceiling. Push the edge of a separate strip of tape along the perimeter of the door frame, at the point where the wall meets the frame. Adding tape before continuing keeps unwanted paint from splattering on other areas (such as ceiling and door frame). Lay a drop cloth on the floor beneath the arch to catch dripping paint.
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2
Roll paint onto the wall in diagonal angles. Cross over lines of paint with other lines of paint in the shape of an "X". Stop painting when you are 2 or 3 inches below the ceiling to avoid accidentally touching the ceiling. Painting in an "X" fashion eliminates streaks when paint dries.
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3
Dip a handheld brush into the paint and carefully paint the several inches between the top of the wall and the ceiling. Allow one day for the paint to dry. Repeat steps two and three if a second coat of paint is required.
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4
Dip a sponge into a different shade of paint. Select a cream color as the base shade for your arch, for example, and choose an auburn shade for the sponge application. Press the sponge into the wall and around the arch. Use different amounts of pressure and maintain the "X" technique as before. Sponge painting adds a textured look to the arch.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
