Having the right tools will make a big difference in the quality of any faux paint technique you do in your home. Although some techniques require special tools, most use the same brushes and cloths. Decorative painter Gary Lord has the DIY basics of the most-used tools so that you can do it yourself.
- I use a 4" roller on just about every job. By taping off the ceiling and trim, I can use it to cut in. It's the perfect size for painting stripes and other small areas that are less than the width of a 9" roller. And I use it to apply paint to a wall so that I can blend it with a cloth.
- Chip brushes are another favorite, and I also use them on most jobs. They’re great for working in corners where it can be tough to get a wider brush or a cloth. They come in a variety of sizes, and they’re inexpensive. One tip: before using a chip brush for the first time, pull out the loose hairs; otherwise you may get a few hairs in your paint.
- Get a few artist brushes. I use them all the time for adding small details. You can use a larger brush to fill in empty areas.
- When stenciling, I like to use a soft-bristle stencil brush -- they’re better for filling in open stencil areas than regular paintbrushes. Fill the brush, then pounce and swirl it on a paper towel to remove excess paint. Lightly stipple or swirl the brush inside the stencil to apply the paint, making sure to fill in the stencil completely.
- There are three cloths that I use a lot: I like to use 100 percent cotton cloth, cheesecloth and terrycloth for blending wet colors and for applying glaze. Each gives a different texture to your paint treatment.
So you see, you don’t need to invest in a lot of tools to do your own faux paint treatments. All you need are a few inexpensive brushes and rags to create beautiful paint treatments in your home. Just remember: - 4" rollers and chip brushes are used often.
- Use artist brushes for small details.
- Stencil brushes need to be dry when applying the paint.
- Use cotton cloth, cheesecloth or terrycloth for a more textured finish.
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