About Faux Finishing

FAUX FINISHING
You’ve seen it on decorating shows like Trading Spaces and it is becoming one of the most popular ways of painting today, but what is it all about?

One of the easiest faux finishes to create is accomplished with nothing more than a sponge and paint! This technique requires applying at least two different shades of color onto your surface, thus producing the appearance of granite when the project is finished.

The most preferred tool for all sponging techniques is a natural sponge. Artificial sponges, generally used to clean around the house, do not give the desired printed image. When purchasing a sponge, examine it closely, choosing one with a pattern you like. Remember that the pattern of the sponge will be printed onto your surface.

The key to successfully achieving a look you like is to first practice sponging the different colors on a piece of matte board. Practice will help you determine the amount of paint you need on the sponge and the amount of pressure needed to print the design and texture of the sponge onto your surface. Also sponge-paint the colors in various order to determine the look you like best. The different order of the colors can produce a different look. Be sure to try and create as uniform pattern as possible.

Here are some resources on Faux Finishing techniques and projects

Faux Painting Techniques
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_paint_ti...510667,00.html

Marbleizing with Paint: A faux finish painting technique
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_walls_ot...381397,00.html

Fantasy Faux Finishing
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_paint_wa...382410,00.html

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Sandra,
Mommy to Michael, my little Rug Rat and partner to Timothy, my Irish rose



CHECK OUT
:Michael's webpage
Our NEW Family Webpage!***updated DECEMBER 24th***

My Parenting Journal

Community Leader and
Editor of Lifestyles,
a Baby University Newsletter

Moderator of
RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES

Co-Moderator of
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS and RELATIONSHIPS

I have seen it done beautifully of a chest of drawers. I have an old dresser that I would love to work on.

Maybe this Spring, after I find some paints and supplies I can paint it.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Sandra,
Mommy to Michael, my little Rug Rat and partner to Timothy, my Irish rose



CHECK OUT
:Michael's webpage
Our NEW Family Webpage!***updated DECEMBER 24th***

My Parenting Journal

Community Leader and
Editor of Lifestyles,
a Baby University Newsletter

Moderator of
RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES

Co-Moderator of
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS and RELATIONSHIPS

Rules to Faux by

Base Coats ~ The Good The Bad and the Sticky
Base: Fundamental principle or ingredient; the foundation on which to build.

The foundation for all faux applications is the Base Coat. This is the most important layer and step in any project as it creates the backdrop for your finishing technique. Without the base, a building cannot stand and the same is true for faux artistry. To pay homage to the pedestal on which all art rests; we are listing our favorite tricks and tips to aid you in your next faux endeavor. So, fire up your printer because this you will want to add to your faux notebook.

1. Work space: The single most important tip we can provide you with on achieving a perfect base coat is make sure that the area you choose to do your project in is clean, well ventilated and dust free. You don't want dust to ruin your finish or pass out from the fumes when using certain chemicals.

2. Surface: Your primer coat must be completely dry before starting on the base coat.

3. Damage Control: Always have water or appropriate solvent close by when working on your base coat as you may need to remove excess paint or glaze as you go.

4. Paint: Dilute your paint with approximately 10%-15% of it's solvent and prepare in small quantities to prevent it from drying out.

5. Loading Your Brush/Roller: DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR BRUSH/ROLLER. Load your brush ½ way and when using a roller, soak it in water and wring it out prior to loading it. This will keep it from absorbing too much paint.

6. Technique: The best method for achieving a smooth and neat finish is to begin painting from the top of your surface area in a crisscross pattern moving downward to the bottom. Top - Bottom - Side - Side.

7. Back Rolling: Also known as "laying off paint", back rolling is used to achieve uniform coverage by smoothing out your surface. To back-roll, wait until your roller is almost out of paint, then roll, back, over the first area that was painted using light pressure as to not smear, remove or add on unwanted paint.

8. Color: Covering a dark surface with a light color is very difficult. Make sure that you choose your colors with this in mind.

There you have it. The tips to remember when starting your next base coat. Always keep in mind that it is called "base coat" for that very reason and is the most important part of any finishing technique. With that said, we hope that the tips above will assist you in building your next "foundation".

For the Faux Channel.com's weekly series on "Rules to Faux By" visit, http://www.fauxchannel.com/

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Sandra,
Mommy to Michael, my little Rug Rat and partner to Timothy, my Irish rose



CHECK OUT
:Michael's webpage
Our NEW Family Webpage!***updated DECEMBER 24th***

My Parenting Journal

Community Leader and
Editor of Lifestyles,
a Baby University Newsletter

Moderator of
RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES

Co-Moderator of
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS and RELATIONSHIPS

Our Hooked on Freebies (HOF) Sister site has instructions for many different types of faux finishing!

http://www.hookedonfreebies.com/boar...hp?p=9389#9389