#ResidentialPainters – Decorative Finishes – Part 3 Techniques

#Decorative Finish Techniques – #Painters Parramatta

Dragging and Combing

There are various tools used to create these interesting and popular effects, they include:

a. A graduated rubber comb, other variations are steel, plastic and hand made cardboard tools.

b. A long bristled grainers brush called a \”flogger\”.

c. Also, house painting brushes, and wallpaper smoothing brushes.

Producing an Effect

If using a rubber comb or similar you produce a \”strie\” pattern by completely removing the glaze from the ground coat. Various stripped patterns can be made in both directions (combing).

Dragging in particular, if skilfully done, has the elegance of fine raw silk. A brush or comb is pulled through the glaze, leaving a series of parallel lines of varying width and delicacy.

Dragging a wall can be done by one person but it is simpler with two. One applies the glaze, the other drags from ceiling to the floor, usually in one movement. If vertical lines are essential always use a plumb line suspended from the ceiling. Small objects are popular with dragging methods, such as picture frames and the like. If unsure of the effect you desire, practice and create your own designs.

French Wash or Colour Wash Finish

A \”French Wash\” or\’ Colour Wash \’creates the look of a delicate, broken colour effect. French wash can be used in a white fonn over a coloured ground or tinted for all decor themes.

Supplies Required

1. Low sheen acrylic base coat or ground

2. French wash solution

3. Paint brush for wall areas

4. Muslin cloth to rag the french wash

French wash coatings may be purchased from suppliers who specialise in such finishes, but they are usually expensive. They are water base coatings and the French wash solution is a thin mixture. To make your own coating, start with flat acrylic paint, thin by about 40% with water, then add a solution to slow down the drying. Some paint companies have a \”decorative effects solution\” which you add to your paint to achieve the correct drying ratio. If you make your own french wash it is advisable to do some test panels to check the mixture, before starting the job.

Surface Preparation

1. French wash can be applied to any smooth or textured surface.

2. After correctly preparing the surface apply a base coat in acrylic low sheen.

3. Allow to dry hard 18 to 24 hours.

Application of French or Colour Wash

This is usually a two person operation on large areas.

1. Stir wash thoroughly.

2. Starting at the comer edge of one wall, the first person should apply the wash with a suitable brush using a \”crows nest\” technique.

3. Following closely behind, the second person creates the desired pattern by ragging the still wet wash surface.

4. You may leave this as the finished product or apply a coat of clear water based sealer.

 Sydney House Painters, for more information about any Painting and Decorating tasks please Call Bloomin’Good Sydney Painters on 1800 204 145.