Bagging
One of the techniques we covered last time was rag rolling. A similar effect can be achieved with a scrunched up plastic bag (or a special bagging roller). The beauty of using plastic bags is that you're bound to have plenty at home, so when one becomes covered in paint, simply use a new one. Remember to reuse or recycle them once the paint has dried, though.
The end result is a clear contrast between the basecoat and the glaze (or diluted emulsion), but you can vary the effect by scrunching up the bag to different degrees, i.e. loosely or tightly.
Sponging
Sponging is one paint effect that kids are sure to enjoy helping with. Take a natural sponge, wet it and allow it to fully expand, then wring it out. Dip it in your glaze and dab it over the wall, ensuring you overlap slightly, but wash it out when it becomes saturated with glaze.
When your first coat has dried, do another, perhaps in a contrasting colour.
Stippling
For a more subtle, mottled look, try stippling. Instead of a sponge, you apply the glaze with a special stippling brush - just dab at the wall with the tips of the brush in short, quick strokes. You can also use stippling to disguise obvious roller or brush marks in the basecoat, before doing another paint effect on top (once dry).
Stencilling
Stencilling was once a firm favourite of TV makeover shows. Like many paint effects, it's not so popular these days but it is versatile because it can be used on all kinds of surfaces, though it's best confined to small areas such as borders. You can buy special stencil paints but you can also use normal wood/metal paints and emulsions, depending on the surface you are stencilling on.
You'll probably do lots of stencils in a row or pattern, so plan your design carefully before you begin. When you know where the stencils are going, attach the first stencil with low-tack masking tape and apply the paint using a stencil sponge or brush, stippling it on with care. It's important not to overload the sponge or brush with paint and not to bleed under the edges of the stencil, as this will ruin the effect.
Once one colour is on, wait for it to dry before applying the next. You can, of course, just use one colour, but most stencils are made up of more, enabling you to gradually build up the design.
Dragging
Dragging is a way of creating an effect similar to wood grain. You apply a coat of glaze over your basecoat and then, taking a special dragging brush, which has very long bristles, drag it through the wet glaze, holding it as flat as you can. You'll need to do one continuous drag to the edge and then repeat to cover the whole surface. To create a fabric-like effect, drag the brush at 90 degrees; to your first set of dragging lines.
Combing
Combing is similar, but instead of a brush, you drag a rubber paint-effects comb through the wet glaze, remembering to clean the comb when it becomes clogged. You can vary the effect if the comb has different-sized teeth and by dragging it in different patterns.
The comb can also be used to create a wood-grain effect on, for example, kitchen unit doors. To do this, apply your basecoat in straight lines.
Once this has dried, apply the glaze in the same direction, then use the comb (or a dragging brush) to create a wood pattern.
To better create the effect, use a rubber rocker or graining tool, which enables you to replicate things like knots.
Q&A
I'm fitting a new laminated worktop in my kitchen - how do I prolong its life?
Apart from doing obvious things like not chopping food directly on the worktop or placing hot dishes and pans on it, you should put silicon sealer inside the hole for the sink (around the edges), around the sink once it's in place and also where the worktop joins the tiles or splashback. Silicon seal any join like this to prevent damage.
One of the techniques we covered last time was rag rolling. A similar effect can be achieved with a scrunched up plastic bag (or a special bagging roller). The beauty of using plastic bags is that you're bound to have plenty at home, so when one becomes covered in paint, simply use a new one. Remember to reuse or recycle them once the paint has dried, though.
The end result is a clear contrast between the basecoat and the glaze (or diluted emulsion), but you can vary the effect by scrunching up the bag to different degrees, i.e. loosely or tightly.
Sponging
Sponging is one paint effect that kids are sure to enjoy helping with. Take a natural sponge, wet it and allow it to fully expand, then wring it out. Dip it in your glaze and dab it over the wall, ensuring you overlap slightly, but wash it out when it becomes saturated with glaze.
When your first coat has dried, do another, perhaps in a contrasting colour.
Stippling
For a more subtle, mottled look, try stippling. Instead of a sponge, you apply the glaze with a special stippling brush - just dab at the wall with the tips of the brush in short, quick strokes. You can also use stippling to disguise obvious roller or brush marks in the basecoat, before doing another paint effect on top (once dry).
Stencilling
Stencilling was once a firm favourite of TV makeover shows. Like many paint effects, it's not so popular these days but it is versatile because it can be used on all kinds of surfaces, though it's best confined to small areas such as borders. You can buy special stencil paints but you can also use normal wood/metal paints and emulsions, depending on the surface you are stencilling on.
You'll probably do lots of stencils in a row or pattern, so plan your design carefully before you begin. When you know where the stencils are going, attach the first stencil with low-tack masking tape and apply the paint using a stencil sponge or brush, stippling it on with care. It's important not to overload the sponge or brush with paint and not to bleed under the edges of the stencil, as this will ruin the effect.
Once one colour is on, wait for it to dry before applying the next. You can, of course, just use one colour, but most stencils are made up of more, enabling you to gradually build up the design.
Dragging
Dragging is a way of creating an effect similar to wood grain. You apply a coat of glaze over your basecoat and then, taking a special dragging brush, which has very long bristles, drag it through the wet glaze, holding it as flat as you can. You'll need to do one continuous drag to the edge and then repeat to cover the whole surface. To create a fabric-like effect, drag the brush at 90 degrees; to your first set of dragging lines.
Combing
Combing is similar, but instead of a brush, you drag a rubber paint-effects comb through the wet glaze, remembering to clean the comb when it becomes clogged. You can vary the effect if the comb has different-sized teeth and by dragging it in different patterns.
The comb can also be used to create a wood-grain effect on, for example, kitchen unit doors. To do this, apply your basecoat in straight lines.
Once this has dried, apply the glaze in the same direction, then use the comb (or a dragging brush) to create a wood pattern.
To better create the effect, use a rubber rocker or graining tool, which enables you to replicate things like knots.
Q&A
I'm fitting a new laminated worktop in my kitchen - how do I prolong its life?
Apart from doing obvious things like not chopping food directly on the worktop or placing hot dishes and pans on it, you should put silicon sealer inside the hole for the sink (around the edges), around the sink once it's in place and also where the worktop joins the tiles or splashback. Silicon seal any join like this to prevent damage.