Sponge Vs. Rag Painting

Sponge Painting

• Sponge painting is a technique that uses multiple paint colors to create a multi-tone finish on interior walls. This look is achieved by first painting the entire wall with one color of paint. After the paint dries, a sponge is dipped in a second color of paint and dabbed repeatedly over the first color to create a depth of color and a textured effect.

Rag Painting

• Rag painting is another faux painting technique that uses two or more colors to create depth and texture on interior walls. This technique is most commonly done in a subtle way in which a color is applied to the entire wall in a matt finish and the ragged layer is of the same color in a gloss finish. The second layer of this finish can be accomplished in two ways. The first is to cover the rag in paint and roll it down the wall in strips. The second is to apply the paint directly to the wall with a roller and roll the rag down the wall, removing much of the second layer with it.

Similarities

• The variations in color that result from sponge and rag painting are effective in hiding slight flaws in walls that have surface cracks or other imperfections. These techniques are also an affordable way to create a focal wall when applying wallpaper is cost-prohibitive. Finally, you have complete control of what look you wish to achieve by adjusting colors, glazes and how heavily you apply the paint.

Differences

• Sponge painting typically has areas of the wall that show one paint and others that show the second coat, largely due to the porous nature of the sponge and the fact that not every small part of the wall is touched with the sponge. In most cases, the rag painting technique provides a more subtle texture in which the base coat shows through a much lighter topcoat.