Painting Techniques for Homes
- Raw Brushes.
There is a shortcut that gives a similar look. Plaster is an inexpensive, water-based product, so it can be mixed with any other water-based product. This means plaster can be mixed with water-based paint.
This technique will not only save money on paint, but will give you the beautiful soft look of plaster without spending extra time and money on your project.
Prepare the room as you would for any painting project by applying the drywall primer, taping the windows, doors and molding.
Because you are mixing plaster into paint, select flat paint and consider a light shade. Plaster actually adds a whitish gray tint to any color. The finished product will have a powdery look, absorb water and show marks easily. Therefore, it is necessary to apply a clear finish coat. - When you get ready to paint, have a small container and a multi-purpose brush for each painter. A wide, 6-inch brush works well. Mix paint, water and plaster together in three equal parts of about one cup each.
Make sure not to mix larger amounts, as you will have about a half an hour before the plaster begins to set. The mixture will begin with the consistency of watery paint and will become thicker as time passes. The consistency of the mixture when applied will not affect the final coverage.
Begin at the top of the wall and move down. This helps avoid any drying drips. Drips using this technique can add a drip texture, but if found early, it is easily cleaned up with a wet rag.
Apply the paint-plaster mix with the wide brush in a crisscross motion. Make the brush strokes random. This is a very forgiving technique. You will not see the brush marks once the mixture dries, but this technique assures a soft, natural look. - This type of application usually needs only a single coat. If you are applying over a a dark color, you may need more. Darker shades of paint will provide for more variation in the color. If you want a more consistent color, add a higher ratio of paint to your plaster mix.
The plaster paint mixture should dry in one or two hours. Remember this paint application is water soluble and will wipe off with water until it is sealed.
There are several sealing products on the market. Use a water-based sealer for plaster or veneer plaster. Use one or two coats depending on the amount of traffic you anticipate. For example, use satin or gloss finish for bathrooms, kitchens and children's rooms.
In the end, you should only use about 1/4 the amount of the paint you would normally use to paint a room. Try painting the ceiling the same color using the same process. Muted, neutral and earth tones work best with this technique.
