What exactly is a faux finish?
In proper terms, it’s an imitation of something real. It can be wood or stone or a mural that is done realistically. The term covers many things.
Is there a special technique that is popular now?
Washes, glazes, aging or using two or three different colour tones. Italian plasters are big too; they look like polished stone.
Can I faux finish over wallpaper, paneling or heavily damaged and patched walls?
Wallpaper must be primed using a flat alkyd primer and base coated twice. Faux finishing can only partially disguise and camouflage the wallpaper. Paneling can be sanded lightly and painted with alkyd primer and then with either alkyd or latex paint. Heavily damaged and roughly repaired walls must have the repairs sealed and crack free. The heavier plaster texture will hide everything but not the Italian Plaster which is applied on very thin and polished.
Are glazes safe to use in my child’s room?
Most water-based glazes are safe. Oil-based or alkyd-based glazes are not and should be clear-coated after drying with a water-based urethane.
Can a faux finish be used on cabinets & furniture?
Yes. Care must be given to preparing the surface with the proper primer and the finish covered with a good quality water-based urethane. Never put a water-based paint or glaze on an alkyd surface. If you are not sure swab the surface with rubbing alcohol, if it rubs off it is a water-based finish. Semi-gloss or gloss surfaces either alkyd or water-based latex paint must have a light sanding before the faux finish begins.
Can a faux finish be painted over?
Most faux finishes can be painted over with 2 coats of a good quality paint. Techniques with texture such as leather, Italian Plaster, heavily textured drywall and even the denim finish which has heavy brush strokes must be skim coated with a drywall compound. It is then sanded, primed and painted as usual.
What is the difference between rag rolling and ragging?
Rag rolling uses a square of cotton dipped in a glaze mixture, squeezed, twisted into a cylinder shape and rolled softly down the wall. Replenish the paint when the pattern starts to fade. Ragging-on uses a rag bunched into a carnation shape and patted over the surface.
What is a wash or glaze?
Many faux finishes are created with a wash or glaze.
WASH: A wash is latex paint thinned down using water or it can be alkyd paint thinned using the appropriate solvent.
GLAZE: A glaze can be water-based with a long open-time or it can be alkyd.