If you are adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls, sponge painting can give impressive results. It brings new texture, covers flaws and enhances the visual appeal of the walls in an inexpensive way. In this article, we explain the process of preparing walls and sponge painting.
See also: How to paint a door frame?
Preparation for the sponge painting project
Remove the furniture or place them in the centre of the room. Cover the floor with tarps (waterproof sheets) and the furniture with plastic. Wear gloves to protect your hands. Clean the walls and mask off the areas you want to secure. Fix any damaged sections by applying putty or caulk. With the help of a paint roller, apply a primer, which will provide an ideal base. This can be done even on a finished coat of paint. Remove stains using a wall stain-removing solution. Once the surface is dry, wipe the dust.
Paint the base coat
Practice the sponge painting technique on a piece of cardboard or a drywall. Choose a base paint colour and paint the walls. Apply the second base coat after the first coat dries. Allow the base coat to dry out for at least 24 hours. The base coat should be a darker shade than the sponge paint colour. Pour the paint into a tray. Take a nine-inch sponge paint roller covered with a 3/8-inch nap for applying the coat.
Mix the topcoat colour and glaze
Glaze refers to a thin, transparent layer of neutral paint before the coloured pigment is added. Start by mixing the paint and glaze in a 1:4 ratio (one part paint and four parts glaze). The higher the glaze amount, the more transparent the topcoat. Select a glaze that is lighter than the base coat to achieve a lighter look for the walls.
Apply the glaze using a sponge
Take a natural sea sponge and dampen it with water. Maintain consistent wetness of the sponge. Pour a small amount of mixed glaze into a plate and dip the sponge in the solution. If required, blot or wipe off the excess on a piece of cardboard.
Start sponge painting
Gently press the sponge into the wall corners while working outward. Tap the sponge on the surface in a random manner, leaving a thin glaze coat. You can also roll the sponge over the surface for an abstract look.
Add more colours to the sponge
Choose a monochromatic scheme and enhance it by sponging on other shades of the base colour. Segregate the wall surface into small areas. To achieve a bolder colour effect, sponge on a complementary shade. If you wish to cover a colour, choose another colour and sponge over it. Observe the wall and touch up small areas for a consistent finish.
Choose random patterns
Press the sponge on and off the wall and rotate it radially to achieve a random pattern. Blot the sponge on a clean cloth if required and rinse off the glaze before working on a new section. Begin working on the next section before the previous section dries.
Work on the corners
For sponge painting in corners, take a small piece of sponge and tie it to a hair clip for support. Cover one wall with cardboard while working on the adjoining wall.
Sponge painting project: Materials required
- Paint tray
- Paint roller
- Stepladder
- Bucket to rinse sponge
- Clean, dry paint rags or paper towels
- Base paint
- Ceramic or plastic plate
- Topcoat paint
- Glaze
- Stirring stick
- Natural sea sponge
- Rubber or latex gloves
FAQs
Can I use a sponge to paint a wall?
Sponge painting is a popular and affordable technique for painting the walls.
What paint is best for a sponge?
Acrylic-based latex paint is suitable for sponge painting.
How to ensure that the wall paint looks fresh?
You can repaint the wall with a single coat to make the surface appear fresher.
How to keep paint from getting dirty?
Wipe off the dust from the walls using a microfiber cloth.
Can you reuse paint roller sponges?
You can reuse rollers. Scrape the roller after use and do not allow it to dry. Keep it moist by securing it in an airtight cover.
How many coats of primer are required?
You can apply 2-3 coats of primer to allow a good bond between the new paint and the wall.
Can we apply putty with a roller?
You can use a putty blade or a putty roller to apply it onto the wall.
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