How to Use Faux Glazing Techniques

Faux glazing is an easy inexpensive way to create designer decor in your home. By faux glazing your walls, you can create a dramatic ambiance in any room. Use dark colors to create a sultry bedroom or ivory and gold to create an elegant dining room. Faux glazing techniques are easy; it only takes a few hours to decorate your home with professional interior designer results. There are two main faux glazing techniques, faux glazing through sponge application and faux glazing through sponge removal.

Tools you will need:

1 gallon primer

1 gallon of satin enamel paint

1 quart of satin enamel paint

3/8" paint roller

paint tray

plastic mixing pail

water-based polyurethane

1 gallon of faux glaze

mixing stick

sea sponge

rags

plastic gloves

drop cloth

Technique 1: Faux Glazing by Sponge Application

Step 1 Select the color that you will use. For faux glazing, the base coat should be a lighter tint of the glazing finish so choose a light shade and a darker shade of 1 color. Have the hardware store mix 1 gallon of the lighter shade; this will be your base coat. Next have the store mix 1 quart of the darker shade; this will be your glaze.

Step 2 Prepare your painting surface. Repair and cracks or nail holes in the walls. Sand down the walls until they are smooth to the touch with no ridges or bumps. Primer the walls and allow to dry for at least 4 hours.

Step 3 Paint the walls with the base coat using the paint roller. Allow to dry for at least 4 hours.

Step 4 Mix four parts of faux glaze (one gallon) with one part of your glaze color (one quart) in the plastic mixing pail.

Step 5 Pour the glaze mixture into a roller tray. Dip the sea sponge into the paint. Using a rag, blot the sponge. Apply the glaze to the wall using the sponge by randomly dabbing the wall.

Step 6 Continue glazing until the wall is finished. Allow the paint to dry for at least for hours.

Step 7 Coat the walls with polyurethane to protect the glaze.

Technique 2: Faux Glazing by Sponge Removal

Step 1 Select the color that you will use. For faux glazing, the base coat should be a lighter tint of the glazing finish so choose a light shade and a darker shade of 1 color. Have the hardware store mix 1 gallon of the lighter shade; this will be your base coat. Next have the store mix 1 quart of the darker shade; this will be your glaze.

Step 2 Prepare your painting surface. Repair and cracks or nail holes in the walls. Sand down the walls until they are smooth to the touch with no ridges or bumps. Primer the walls and allow to dry for at least 4 hours.

Step 3 Paint the walls with the base coat using the paint roller. Allow to dry for at least 4 hours.

Step 4 Mix four parts of faux glaze (one gallon) with one part of your glaze color (one quart) in the plastic mixing pail.

Step 5 Roll the glaze coat over a 4 foot square section of the wall, starting at the top of the wall.

Step 6 Dab off the glaze using a damp sea sponge. Work quickly; do not let the glaze coat to dry as this will cause distinct lines on the wall. Use the sponge to blend the painted sections. Rinse the sponge out often. Continue glazing until the wall is finished. Allow the paint to dry for at least for hours.

Step 7 Coat the walls with polyurethane to protect the glaze.