Instructions for Faux Finishes

Faux finish instructions.

• 1

  Prepare your walls. To prepare your walls for the faux finish painting, tape off ceiling, window molding and baseboard areas with low-tack painting tape which keeps paint and glaze off unwanted areas.

• 2

  Choose your paint colors. To create a sponge finish and a rag faux technique, you need three colors. Select hues from the same color family ranging from light to dark, such as light beige, medium beige and dark beige for best faux finish painting results.

• 3

  Mix your faux finish glazes. Using paint roller pans, mix three parts glaze to one part paint with a paint stick until smooth. Mix two of your three chosen colors in separate pans and set aside until you are ready to apply the glaze to your base coat walls.

• 4

  Apply a base coat of paint. To create your faux finish technique, paint your walls with an eggshell or satin latex paint in one color of the light, medium or dark colors you previously chose and that you did not mix with a glaze. Paint the walls with a paint roller in a "V" pattern to reduce paint lines and to create a seamless application.

• 5

  Practice on a poster board. Using a large piece of poster board taped on your wall, practice the faux finish paint technique you desire. Practice the finish until you are completely pleased with the outcome and are ready to apply the finish to the actual walls.

• 6

  Apply sponge faux technique to your walls. To sponge paint, take your sea sponge and dampen it with water and wring out any excess. Dip sponge into one color of glaze, and press sponge on the base coat walls in a random pattern. Repeat with the other glaze color until you are satisfied with the results.

• 7

  Select a rag faux finish. For a different faux technique, try a rag finish on your walls. Dip a bunched up rag into one color of glaze and wring out any excess paint. Press the rag on the wall in a random pattern, moving your palm in different directions. Repeat with the other glaze color until your wall area is complete, and your walls are transformed into a gorgeous finish with depth and interest.