What Materials to Use When Doing a Metallic Faux Finish

Basecoat

• The base coat under any metallic paint finish should be black, dark brown or another dark hue. Metallic paint is very translucent. Apply a coat or two of a dark-colored latex paint prior to adding metallic paint to ensure a solid coat. Use latex paint in eggshell or satin sheen to create the base coat. Paint the base coat onto the wall or surface using traditional paint techniques involving a roller or paintbrush. Allow the base coat to dry four to six hours before adding metallic paint.

Mini-Rollers

• Apply the metallic paint with mini-rollers. These rollers are about 3 inches in length. Do not use small sponge rollers, but use rollers with a minimum of 1/2-inch nap. Roll the paint onto the surface in a random fashion; do not roll in vertical or horizontal strokes. Instead, overlap your strokes in all directions. If metallic paint is rolled in straight lines, these lines are visible in the finish. Often more than one layer of metallic paint is necessary. Count on three or more layers of paint.

Glaze

• The most common faux finish material is glaze. The material is a clear paint product mixed with latex paint or tints to create a translucent colorant. Add the glaze over your dry painted metallic surfaces for an antique or aged look. Different tools apply glaze to surfaces to create different looks. Plastic grocery bags, paintbrushes and sponges are often used. Common examples are dark brown, black or deep burgundy glazes over metallic surfaces.

Extra Supplies

• Creating a professional faux finish involves using the right materials. Use painter's tape that is smooth and free of ridges. A smooth painter's tape does not let metallic paint or glaze seep under and ruin your decorative paint finish. Ensure the metallic paint you are using is actually paint and not glaze or some other translucent paint product. If your paint finish is in a high-traffic area, roll on an additional coat or two of clear water-based polyurethane. Don't forget to experiment with a variety of materials and tools to create one-of-a kind metallic faux finishes not seen elsewhere. Practice on sample boards first before painting a wall or ceiling.