Just because faux painting finishes can look opulent and expensive doesn't mean you have to pay a lot to achieve them. There's no need to invest in special equipment, though particular projects may require the odd extra, such as stencils. The tools and accessories you will need are no different to those you may already have for standard house painting tasks. Avoid the gimmicks and put your money in good quality paint instead.
If you're a beginner - or to make sure you're properly prepared - this checklist will help you take stock before you embark on your faux painting project.
Before You Start
Suitable Clothing: Dig out the old clothes - paint can get everywhere. A cap or hat will protect your hair. Make sure your footwear is suitable. Slipping off the ladder could be a disaster.
Drop Cloths: You could cover floors with old sheets and curtains, but close-weave canvas sheeting is best. Paint seeps through thinner coverings. Proper drop cloths absorb spills, are reusable and pay for themselves over time. Newspaper is a cheap alternative but has an infuriating tendency to stick to your shoes, and it easily shifts around, leaving gaps. Plastic sheeting doesn't absorb spills and is slippery.
Cavity Fillers/Spackling Compound/Putty: Preparing your surface is essential. Cracks and holes will need to be plugged with quick-drying filler (using a putty or palette knife), sanded to a smooth finish and sealed.
Masking Tape: You'll probably need sticky paper tape to mask areas that you want to keep clean, such as door and window frames. Tape also helps you achieve straight lines with clean edges and is essential if your design consists of stripes.
Tools and Equipment
Ladder: Unless you're painting floors and furniture, you'll probably need a ladder. Aluminum ladders are light and maneuverable. It helps if your ladder has a shelf for your paint container, or use a 'painter's assistant' to secure your tin to the ladder. Especially with a light ladder, make sure your paint tin is not too heavy or it might topple the ladder.
Paint Stirrers: These might be supplied with your paint. If not, make sure whatever you use for stirring is clean. Twigs may shed bits of bark in your paint and spoil your finish.
Bucket: If you have to mix paints, a bucket can be useful. Alternatively, it's a useful container for bits and pieces, instead of having your workspace strewn with items you might trip over.
Paints: The right type and quality of paint is fundamental to the success of your faux painting finish. This is one area where you can't afford to cut corners.
Paint Applicators: You may need different brushes for different tasks, but a good multi-purpose brush is one with 6mm (2") angled bristles. Bristles shed from cheap brushes so this is another area where you shouldn't skimp. Other applicators are necessary for some techniques. Sponges are used for color washing. Car washing sponges are ideal for this task. Paint rollers, with the nap matched to the task in hand, help you cover large surfaces quickly. Skins - liners for your paint tray - are disposable and will save you cleaning time.
Miscellaneous Accessories
You may need to unscrew light switch and plug plates so have a screwdriver handy. It will also help you lever open paint tins. Knives are necessary for applying filler and a utility knife or razor blade can be used to scrape paint splashes of window glass when your work is done.
Cleaning Accessories
Rags: Have colorfast rags handy to deal with spills and for cleaning brushes. Don't splash out with special products for brush-cleaning. Dishwashing liquid will even remove paints that are part oil-based (for example, cream stencils).
You can go overboard buying all the fancy painting tools and kits out there, but keeping it simple is easy to do with this list. You may need to purchase sponges, stencils and other tools and special to create a certain faux finish, but these can be purchased individually for the unique needs of your project. - 16463
If you're a beginner - or to make sure you're properly prepared - this checklist will help you take stock before you embark on your faux painting project.
Before You Start
Suitable Clothing: Dig out the old clothes - paint can get everywhere. A cap or hat will protect your hair. Make sure your footwear is suitable. Slipping off the ladder could be a disaster.
Drop Cloths: You could cover floors with old sheets and curtains, but close-weave canvas sheeting is best. Paint seeps through thinner coverings. Proper drop cloths absorb spills, are reusable and pay for themselves over time. Newspaper is a cheap alternative but has an infuriating tendency to stick to your shoes, and it easily shifts around, leaving gaps. Plastic sheeting doesn't absorb spills and is slippery.
Cavity Fillers/Spackling Compound/Putty: Preparing your surface is essential. Cracks and holes will need to be plugged with quick-drying filler (using a putty or palette knife), sanded to a smooth finish and sealed.
Masking Tape: You'll probably need sticky paper tape to mask areas that you want to keep clean, such as door and window frames. Tape also helps you achieve straight lines with clean edges and is essential if your design consists of stripes.
Tools and Equipment
Ladder: Unless you're painting floors and furniture, you'll probably need a ladder. Aluminum ladders are light and maneuverable. It helps if your ladder has a shelf for your paint container, or use a 'painter's assistant' to secure your tin to the ladder. Especially with a light ladder, make sure your paint tin is not too heavy or it might topple the ladder.
Paint Stirrers: These might be supplied with your paint. If not, make sure whatever you use for stirring is clean. Twigs may shed bits of bark in your paint and spoil your finish.
Bucket: If you have to mix paints, a bucket can be useful. Alternatively, it's a useful container for bits and pieces, instead of having your workspace strewn with items you might trip over.
Paints: The right type and quality of paint is fundamental to the success of your faux painting finish. This is one area where you can't afford to cut corners.
Paint Applicators: You may need different brushes for different tasks, but a good multi-purpose brush is one with 6mm (2") angled bristles. Bristles shed from cheap brushes so this is another area where you shouldn't skimp. Other applicators are necessary for some techniques. Sponges are used for color washing. Car washing sponges are ideal for this task. Paint rollers, with the nap matched to the task in hand, help you cover large surfaces quickly. Skins - liners for your paint tray - are disposable and will save you cleaning time.
Miscellaneous Accessories
You may need to unscrew light switch and plug plates so have a screwdriver handy. It will also help you lever open paint tins. Knives are necessary for applying filler and a utility knife or razor blade can be used to scrape paint splashes of window glass when your work is done.
Cleaning Accessories
Rags: Have colorfast rags handy to deal with spills and for cleaning brushes. Don't splash out with special products for brush-cleaning. Dishwashing liquid will even remove paints that are part oil-based (for example, cream stencils).
You can go overboard buying all the fancy painting tools and kits out there, but keeping it simple is easy to do with this list. You may need to purchase sponges, stencils and other tools and special to create a certain faux finish, but these can be purchased individually for the unique needs of your project. - 16463
About the Author:
Ready to start your faux finish painting project? Faux painting artist Debra "THAT Painter Lady" Conrad has seen and learned a lot in her 17 years of painting. Claim her free "Insider's Guide to Faux Painting" to help you avoid 7 common mistakes of beginner faux painters.
