- Dust sheets or similar material to protect carpets furniture etc.
- Disposable plastic gloves (optional).
- A bucket or bowl of clean water plus rags for cleaning.
- A tin of paint thinned with transparent glaze according to manufacturers instructions.
- A roller and tray and/or a brush.
- A natural sea-sponge (not synthetic).
Like all paint-effects, sponge painting can be a little messy, so wear old clothing or overalls.
Also: remove or cover all carpets, furniture and other valuables from the room.
Prepare
the surface that is to be painted, apply at least 2 coats of mid-sheen paint in your chosen
colour
and allow to dry thoroughly.
Water-based paint dries quickly so start on your smallest walls first; your speed will improve with experience.
Have a bucket or bowl of clean water and some rags close at hand for cleaning purposes.
SPONGING-OFF PROCESS.
In this technique the topcoat, or glaze, is patterned by dabbing the sponge over the surface.
Where the sponge makes contact the glaze is lifted revealing the base coat.
It is advisable to get someone else to paint the wall with the mixed glaze ahead of you, so that you can concentrate on creating the effect.
If you must work alone, paint small sections 3ft (1 metre) at a time, & stop the sponging-off process 6 inches (150mm) short of the leading edge.
Apply the mixed glaze evenly with a brush or roller.
You may wish to stipple over the brushed areas to prevent the brush marks showing on the finished effect.
Lightly dampen the sea-sponge with water and wring out thoroughly. (Use dry for oil-based method)
The challenge of sponging-off is to twist the sponge in-between dabs so that each impression left by the sponge is different to next.
Only dab 6 to 8 times before cleaning the sponge.
Repeat the process over the area to be decorated, lapping-in on wet edges.
Carefully clean paint from woodwork etc while you work, otherwise, re-paint woodwork etc when it is dry.
Allow the paint to dry before protecting with a coat of clear glaze or varnish. (optional).
Apply glaze.
Dab with sponge.
!!! With oil-based
method, used sponges must be washed out with solvent, then detergent after use. !!!
The more contrast between the basecoat and topcoat; the more pronounced the pattern will be. (Especially important with this effect)
It is advisable to squash the sponge to form a narrow edge, and dab it into internal corners first. Otherwise the corners will seem bare.
An oil-based basecoat will greatly improve the working time of the glaze. It is advisable to use an oil-based topcoat too in this instance.
A semi sheen finish is best for the base-coat, as the sponge slides if the surface is too shiny & a matt finish allows the glaze to dry too quickly.
Colours should be related in some way, either different tones of the same colour, or similar tones of related colours.
Dark or strong colours give a rich effect, but the base-coat must be fairly light compared to the glaze for the effect to be visible.
