Color washing gives walls a subtle textured effect with the look of stone walls in a country cottage. On a more practical note, it also helps hide imperfections and unevenness.
The color washing technique involves painting the wall with one color, and then covering that dried basecoat with a diluted topcoat of a similar or contrasting color. You can use water to thin the topcoat, but using a glaze gives more reliable results. Because the topcoat is thinned with water or glaze, it isn't as durable as a standard surface, so use color washing in low-traffic areas.
Tip: Practice the color washing technique on white board or cardboard before starting on your walls.
All You Need
Materials
- Semi-gloss or satin paint in desired color for basecoat
- Satin wall paint in desired color for topcoat
- Glaze
- Materials needed to prepare the walls, such as TSP substitute cleaner, sandpaper, patching compound, liquid de-glosser if walls have glossy surface and blue masking tape for protecting areas you don't want to paint
Tools
- Paint trays and liner, or paint bucket with roller rack
- Roller frame and roller covers
- Mixing bucket
- Stir stick
- Paintbrush with wide, flat edge (you can buy brushes designed for color washing)
- Drop cloth
- Newspapers
- Lint-free rags
Step-by-Step
1. To prepare the walls for color washing, wash the walls with water or a TSP substitute; patch holes; de-gloss if the surface is shiny; and prime if needed. Tape areas you don't want to paint and spread a drop cloth on the floor.
2. Using the paint roller, apply the basecoat. Let dry for 24 hours.
3. In the plastic bucket, mix the topcoat paint with the glaze according to label directions. A common ratio is one part paint to 4 parts glaze. Stir well with the stir stick
4. Dip the tip of the paintbrush into the topcoat mixture and dab onto a newspaper to remove any excess.
5. Working from the ceiling down, in a random pattern apply a thin coat to an area about 4 feet by 4 feet, crisscrossing in an X pattern. Let the basecoat color show through.
6. Dab the area lightly with a rag to soften the brush marks and then go over the area again with the empty brush.
7. Repeat for the next area, slightly overlapping the previous area.
8. Allow to dry for 24 hours.
9. Optional: For a mottled color washing look, apply a second topcoat.
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