How to Tone Down Burnt Orange Wall Paint

In the process of changing your decor, you may pick a wrong color and not realize it until it's on the wall and the paint is dry. Bright colors are attractive, but sometimes when you have filled a room with a rich color, like burnt orange, that's when you realize it's a bit much. A ragging-off faux finish is a great way to tone it down without investing in an entirely new paint job. The slight brown tint in the translucent glaze takes the edge off, creating a warm finish. The ragging-off adds a touch of soft complexity. This is a two-person technique.

Things You'll Need

• Tape and drop cloths
• Glazing medium (water-based)
• Brown tint
• Cheesecloth
• Mixing stick
• Roller and 3-inch brush

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Cover areas that you want to protect with tape or drop cloths.

   • 2

     Add the tint to the glaze. Mix well. Just add a bit at a time until you get a soft, translucent brown.

   • 3

     Start rolling the glaze on the burnt orange wall. Brush the glaze in areas that the roller can't get into, such as corners. This is a job for the first person.

   • 4

     Ball up a bunch of cheesecloth into a soft pad. Immediately begin softly pressing the bunch into the wet glaze. This will rag-off glaze, leaving a soft finish. This is the second person's job. Rag-off glaze, proceeding right behind the first person, until the wall is completed.