Faux Painting with Color Washing

Interior

Exterior

Concrete

How-To Videos

Color Washing

What you'll need:

Here's everything you'll need to get it right the first time.

Paint Roller with 3/8" nap and paint tray
Color washing brush
Softening brush (if desired)
Cheesecloth
Painter's Tape and drop cloth
Practice board (optional)
Valspar^® Signature Colors^® Faux Glaze OR
Valspar^® Satin Interior Base Coat in desired color
Valspar Faux Lime Wash (for lime washing)
Valspar^® Signature Colors^® Faux Tintable Glaze

Add visual texture with Color Washing technique. Add Textured Lime Wash with a color washing brush for more texture. Create an Old World Fresco to soften the areas. For longer open working time and higher sheen, use Valspar Interior Semi-Gloss Enamel as a base coat.


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Color Washing Paint Technique

Step 1. Tape off all areas where you do not want the finish applied. Apply Valspar base coat with a roller to entire surface. Remove tape. Allow to dry overnight.

Step 2. Reapply tape. Use a color washing brush to apply glaze X in a 1 ft. x 1 ft. X pattern. Continue brushing in a series of smaller overlapping X's until glaze is completely removed from the brush.

Step 3. Continue applying overlapping X's across the entire wall, working from ceiling to floor. Overlap strokes while glaze is still wet. When you reach a taped-off area, apply glaze to the brush and run a line of glaze right up to the taped edge. Next, using a small X pattern, blend the newly applied glaze into completed sections of the wall. Remove tape within an hour and allow to dry.

Lime Washing Painting Technique

Step 1. Tape off all areas where you do not want the finish applied. Apply Valspar base coat with a roller to entire surface. Remove tape. Allow to dry overnight.

Step 2. Use a color washing brush to lightly apply textured lime wash over the base coat. Brush in overlapping X's until the brush needs reloading. Lime Wash dries quickly. Work in a small area and remove any unwanted buildup of Lime wash immediately with a dry brush. You may also use cheesecloth to blot and soften, eliminating brush marks.

Step 3. Repeat this process across the wall. Occasionally check that you are applying the glaze in a random yet consistent manner. Apply more or less Lime wash to achieve the look you desire.

Old World Fresco Paint Technique

Step 1. Repeat step 1 from lime washing.

Step 2. Apply the lime wash in an X pattern, leaving some space between the Xs for the glaze. When you have brushed most of the Lime Wash from the brush, lightly dip it in the glaze and apply it in the same X pattern in the spaces you left open. Continue until you have brushed most of the glaze from the brush. Use the brush to lightly blend the glaze into the Lime Wash while wet.

Step 3. Soften any heavy areas of color or texture with cheesecloth. Continue across the wall. Add more or less lime wash or glaze as desired.

Popular Color Combinations

Color Wash shown in Valspar Base Coat: 3004-8C Lyndhurst Estate Cream, Glaze: 4005-1C Metropolis

Lime wash shown in Valspar Base Coat: 4007-7C Breezy, Glaze: Lime Wash, 4007-8A Blue Eyes

Color wash shown in Valspar Base Coat: 3008-6C Linen Napkin, Glaze: 3008-6A Carolina Inn Crossroads Gold

Lime wash shown in Valspar Base Coat: 6002-3B Paris Mint, Glaze: Lime Wash

Lime wash shown in Valspar Base Coat: 3006-6A Lazy Sun, Glaze: Lime Wash

Color wash shown in Valspar Base Coat: 5005-6B Hanging Vine, Glaze: Taupe

Color accuracy will vary based on monitor and printer calibrations. Please visit your local retailer to view actual color samples before making final painting decisions.

Tips for Success

Choose from our premixed colors or have your glaze color custom-tinted at the paint counter.

Try your technique on a practice board before you try it on the walls.

For a simple transformation or quick update, this technique is easy to paint over. No sanding or stripping of the underlying faux finish is needed. Just apply a topcoat of paint and you're done!

Valspar Faux Clear Mixing Glaze is ideal for rewetting a partly dry edge. For added color and depth, you can also create an old world fresco finish using Lime Wash and Valspar Translucent Color, Iridescent or Metal and Patina Glazes.

For a longer open working time and higher sheen use Valspar^® Interior Semi-Gloss Enamel as a base coat.

See How-To Videos

Watch a project from start to finish.

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