DIY Network

Denim Paint Technique From "Ask DIY" episode ADI-504

For a basement family room, or other informal area, this "denim" paint technique provides a warm and rustic look.

Q: I'm finishing off a basement room, and I want to create a denim look on the walls. How do I achieve this?

A: (from DIY design expert, Nancy Golden) Though some designers avoid using dark wall tones in a basement, if done right they can add a comfortable, cozy atmosphere. A paint technique that emulates the look of denim fabric provides an inviting, rustic look, and it's easy to do. Here's how:

advertisement

Materials:

Denim glaze (available at paint stores)
Base-coat paint
Paint roller and tray
Wallpaper brush (or stiff-bristle paintbrush)
Paint brushes
Masking tape
Rubber gloves

Steps:

• The first step is to paint your wall with a base coat. Since the base coat will need to be lighter than the denim-colored paint -- to create the look of lighter underside stitching that's characteristic of denim material -- use a satin or semi-gloss ivory or pale yellow paint. For our demonstration, a soft yellow paint was selected.

• Once the base coat has dried, apply the denim glaze over the base coat using a paint roller (figure A). Denim glaze can be purchased pre-mixed at paint stores or home centers.

• As soon as the denim paint has been rolled on, use a wallpaper brush (figure B) to create the denim-fabric "pattern" in the wet paint.
  • Note: Ideally, this paint technique is a two-person job -- with one person rolling on the paint and the second person standing by, ready to use the brush to create the brushed-pattern while the paint is still wet.
• With the denim glaze applied, use the wallpaper brush to comb the paint, creating vertical strokes to mimic the vertical lines of the material (figure C). A stiff-bristle paintbrush can be used, but the wallpaper brush is wider and makes the job go faster and easier.

  Figure A

  Figure B

  Figure C

  
  
• As the stiff bristles remove some of the denim glaze, they partially reveal the base coat underneath. This is termed a negative paint technique since the pattern is actually achieved by removing paint.

• With the vertical comb-strokes done, use the same technique in horizontal strokes to mimic the horizontal lines of the material (figure D). The crisscrossed brush-strokes create the textured pattern that emulates denim fabric.

• If your wall already has crown molding or a chair-rail installed (figure E ), you'll need to protect the wood trim with masking tape.

• Use a paint-brush to carefully brush or stipple to create the brushed pattern in the area adjacent to the molding (figure F).

  Figure D

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  
• For an added touch of realism, use a check-roller (figure G) to enhance the brushed pattern with a "worn denim" look.

• Roll the check roller -- applying firm pressure -- across the denim glaze (figure H) after it has already had the brush-effect applied, but before the glaze has had time to dry.

• Once you're done, allow the glaze to dry thoroughly according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Figure G

Figure H

RESOURCES :
Painting Skills
ISBN: 1842154109
Author: Mike Lawrence
Order this title from Amazon.com.