Do it Yourself Wallpaper Tinting: A Quick and Easy Guide

Wallpaper tinting is a great low cost way to get a very special customized look for your remodel project. There are tons of options as to the look which you can achieve with wallpaper tinting, but some of the more popular options are; aged, sun fade, smoke, or a color tint. For this article we will use an example of aging glaze, but the principles and techniques are the same for any type of wallpaper tinting project.

Wallpaper aging glaze can be purchased at any large paint or wallpaper store. If you are really pressed and cannot find aging glaze, you can mix your own with equal parts latex paint and a latex-mixing glaze. Make sure that if you mix your own you select a latex paint color, which will, when painted, look aged (Something in the tan or brown family is a good choice). Results will vary when making your own, so if possible, try to purchase commercial tinting glaze for wallpaper if you can find it.

To begin, inspect the existing wallpaper to see if it has a vinyl coating. This type of paper has a high gloss, with a kind of plastic look to it, and is commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens, and other potentially wet areas. If you have vinyl coated wallpaper you won't be able to tint it as the vinyl will prevent the glaze from being absorbed by the paper.

Next you will want to test your glaze by painting it on wallpaper in a small inconspicuous area, like behind a dresser or perhaps in a closet. You are testing to ensure that the paper absorbs the glazing agent, and you are also testing your application level to see how much glaze is needed to achieve your desired effect. If you happen to notice that the paper begins to bubble up as it is drying, you will need to apply a wallpaper sealant to the wallpaper first.

After you have finished with your testing, you will need to ensure that the wallpaper you are going to tint is clean. You will want to clean up any marks or stains on the wallpaper prior to tinting. You can use a damp cloth to wipe any dirt or grime off the wallpaper. Remember that tint does not stick to dirt, or grease.

Next apply the glaze or tinting liquid with a damp sponge, or paint roller, over the wallpaper. Be careful as you paint on the glaze, not to apply too much, or overlap stokes, as this will cause the glaze or tint to be too thick and appear overly dark when dry.

Wait for the first coat to dry, and then check the tint level. If it is too light then apply another coat. Several thin coats of tint are better than one thick coat. You can always add more, but once the tint is on you can't really take it back off. Keep working at it until you achieve the desired look.