Sponge Painting

Overview:

If you are tired of the familiar painted wall there is another option. Many homeowners forego traditional interior paint for sponge painting walls.

Sponge painting ideas for walls is frequently an alternative when painting older homes where the walls show some irregularities and dings in the finish wall covering. Sponge painting will blend everything into a seamless finish covering that will hide all those blemishes.

Sponge painting is also popular in newer houses because the technique adds depth, texture and interest to the flat surfaces, regardless of the room size. If you are seeking a new paint design idea for a bolder paint finish, sponge painting your walls offers a handsome affect.

Sponge painting is quite easy. It can be done very quickly completing a room in less than a day. Sponge painting involves the application of glaze to an existing base coat of paint. This is done without a paint brush. Apply sponge paint using a variegated surface, often just a household sponge or a large sea sponge. Mix the glaze and paint separately in a ratio of four parts glaze to one part of wall paint. This mixture will be easy to apply evenly on the wall. You can alter the ratio of glaze and paint to suit your desired outcome.

Dip the sponge into the glaze and blot and press the sponge firmly on to the wall in repeating random patterns. Variations of the sponge painting technique can have different effects. A common variation is to apply more than one glaze in succession, letting the glaze dry between each application. This method will allow you to add different colors and striations to the wall for a far deeper look. You can also use a metallic glaze with a solid topcoat for a stunning finish.

Another variation involves using something other than a sea sponge such as steel wool for different affects. For a more uniform finish use an inexpensive kitchen sponge. By experimenting with variation techniques you can create texture that suits the room. For a kid’s room you can add an ultra-violet (UV) layer that will have some bazaar effects under a black light.

As a note of caution, don’t get the glaze on areas that you don’t want sponge painted or hands and exposed skin because it is very difficult to remove. Removing layers of glaze often dissolves the base coat beneath. This can be avoided by wiping your gloves repeatedly during the application process. If you do have to remove some glaze material from unwanted places, use a dry or a moist sponge and work slowly to remove the excess material until you are satisfied with the fix.

For a final note, if the wall you intend to sponge paint has an oil base paint you will need to paint the wall with primer paint before adding a glaze/paint mixture. Most of the glazing materials are latex-based and will peel if applied on top of an oil base paint. With some practice and a good idea what you want for a finish, sponge painted walls can an offer an exciting wall finish that you can enjoy for years.

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