Sponge painting is
another technique for painting your walls, furniture
and other objects in the house. Sponge painting is
easy to learn and easier to master. This technique
produces good results using commercially available
paint. Use latex paints for best result. Sponge
painting gives best result when glazes are not used.
You can use similar or contrasting paints to create
the effect that you require. Sponge painting is cost
effective and maintenance free. It is child friendly,
as it can be easily touched up if children damage, a
sponge painted wall.
For the best result of sponging you should use a
3-color procedure, using a base coat and two sponge colors:
The first color is the base coat. If you want
to use sheen use eggshell.
The second color is the first sponge color;
use the same sheen as the base coat.
The third color you use is the second sponge
color, which should also have the same sheen as the base coat.
Follow the instructions given below and you will be
able to learn how to sponge paint.
Prepare surface of wall by removing nails,
repair the damages on the wall and prime as required
Use masking tape or painters tape to tape off
window and doorframe, trim, ceiling edges etc.
Remove all electrical fixtures including
switch plates.
Cover furniture and floor with canvas or
plastic sheets.
Use a base color of your choice and sheen.
Apply and let it dry completely.
Take the two sponge colors and put into
separate paint roller trays.
Dip sponge into color 1 and then blot on old
newspaper to remove the extra paint.
Do not soak the sponge in color 1. The pores
of the sponge should not be full of paint. Begin working on
the wall by gently pressing the sponge on the wall. Keep
moving your wrist in different directions so that you vary the
surface of the sponge. Allow the base color to show through.
The spotted effect created by the sponge will only enhance the
finish.
Once you have applied color 1 on the surface
apply color 2 in the same way you applied color 1. While
applying color 2 concentrate on areas that have not been
covered well in color 1. While working regularly step back to
look at the effect that the sponge is creating.
You can create a marbleized effect by
applying color 1 in a pattern or in a particular direction dry
completely. Then apply color 2 in such a way that color 1 and
the base color are seen through.
