How to Do a Color Wash Paint Treatment

The simple faux finish of color washing will give your walls the appearance of aged plaster. This is a great first project for beginners, as this technique is very forgiving. Mistakes and areas of unevenness create the desired effect of a rustic surface that is naturally distressed. Choose soft, warm colors to re-create a realistic antique patina on your walls.

Low-tack painter's tape
Drop cloth
Glazing liquid
Mixing bucket
Tints
Stir stick
Paint thinner or water
2-inch flat brush
4-inch flat brush
Rag

Instructions

- 1
  Tape the edges of the wall and ceiling with low-tack painter's tape. Protect floors with a drop cloth.
- 2
  Pour the glazing liquid into the mixing bucket. Add tint to make the desired shade of glaze. Mix thoroughly to completely disperse the tint and blend the glaze. Thin the glaze if necessary, using paint thinner for oil-based glaze and water for water-based glaze. Glaze should be thin but not runny.
- 3
  Brush the glaze onto the wall with a 2-inch brush. Apply the glaze in quick strokes in all directions. Brushstrokes should overlap and cross. Try to keep brushstrokes to an approximate 6-inch length for consistency. Allow the wall color to show through in areas.
- 4
  Blend and soften brushstrokes with a soft 4-inch flat brush. Allow some unevenness in the surface color to remain. Add a few strokes of additional glaze if the surface becomes too uniform. Remove excess glaze by blotting any dark areas with a soft, clean rag.

How to Make Oak Wood Red

How to Finish Cabinets in an Antique Glazing Technique

Faux Finishing