Just because faux painting finishes can look opulent and expensive doesn't mean you have to pay a lot to achieve them. There's no need to invest in special equipment, though particular projects may require the odd extra, such as stencils. The tools and accessories you will need are no different to those you may already have for standard house painting tasks. Avoid the gimmicks and put your money in good quality paint instead.
If you're a beginner - or to make sure you're properly prepared - this checklist will help you take stock before you embark on your faux painting project.
Preparation for Painting
Suitable Clothing: Dig out the old clothes - paint can get everywhere. A cap or hat will protect your hair. Make sure your footwear is suitable. Slipping off the ladder could be a disaster.
Drop Cloths: You could cover floors with old sheets and curtains, but close-weave canvas sheeting is best. Paint seeps through thinner coverings. Proper drop cloths absorb spills, are reusable and pay for themselves over time. Newspaper is a cheap alternative but has an infuriating tendency to stick to your shoes, and it easily shifts around, leaving gaps. Plastic sheeting doesn't absorb spills and is slippery.
Spackling Compound/ Putty / Filler: To plug holes and smooth out cracks or other imperfections, Go for a quick-drying kind. Apply with a putty or palette knife and smooth off with different grades of sandpaper.
Masking Tape: This sticky-backed paper tape will help keep paint off areas like door frames and window glass and help you achieve a neat edge. For painting clean borders and straight stripes, masking tape is a must.
Tools and Accessories
Ladder: For ceilings and walls an aluminum ladder with a shelf to put your paint pot on is recommended. If your ladder doesn't have a shelf, there is a gadget (a 'painter's assistant') that will help you attach your tin to your ladder. Beware of heavy, full tins that can pull the ladder over.
Stir Sticks: If not supplied with the paint, avoid garden sticks unless you want bits of twig and bark in your paint finish.
Bucket: Paint can be mixed in a bucket or tray, but a bucket also helps keep your painting paraphernalia organized in one place, instead of scattered over the floor.
Paints: Probably your most important purchase if you are embarking on a faux painting project. Buy the right paint for the job and go for the best you can afford for maximum results.
Applicators/Brushes: Paintbrushes are the other half of the equation. Bristles come out of cheap brushes, so don't skimp. The most versatile is a brush with a 2" (6mm) angle. For covering large surfaces, rollers are an essential item. You'll need to match the roller nap to the kind of paint you're using. They often come with a suitable tray, and you might consider roller skins (linings that mean you don't have to waste time scrubbing the tray). For color washing, soft sponges for washing cars are ideal.
Miscellaneous Items
A general purpose knife and a blade will be useful for various tasks, from cutting masking tape to removing unwanted paint from windows. You may need to remove wall fittings so have a screwdriver to hand (also useful for opening paint tins).
Cleaning It Up
Cleaning rags: Almost any old scrap will do as long as it's colorfast. Rags aren't just for brush cleaning - you might need them for spills and splashes. Don't worry about special brush-cleaning compounds. Dishwashing liquid will do the job, even on cream stencils that are partly oil-based.
You can go overboard buying all the fancy painting tools and kits out there, but keeping it simple is easy to do with this list. You may need to purchase sponges, stencils and other tools and special to create a certain faux finish, but these can be purchased individually for the unique needs of your project.
If you're a beginner - or to make sure you're properly prepared - this checklist will help you take stock before you embark on your faux painting project.
Preparation for Painting
Suitable Clothing: Dig out the old clothes - paint can get everywhere. A cap or hat will protect your hair. Make sure your footwear is suitable. Slipping off the ladder could be a disaster.
Drop Cloths: You could cover floors with old sheets and curtains, but close-weave canvas sheeting is best. Paint seeps through thinner coverings. Proper drop cloths absorb spills, are reusable and pay for themselves over time. Newspaper is a cheap alternative but has an infuriating tendency to stick to your shoes, and it easily shifts around, leaving gaps. Plastic sheeting doesn't absorb spills and is slippery.
Spackling Compound/ Putty / Filler: To plug holes and smooth out cracks or other imperfections, Go for a quick-drying kind. Apply with a putty or palette knife and smooth off with different grades of sandpaper.
Masking Tape: This sticky-backed paper tape will help keep paint off areas like door frames and window glass and help you achieve a neat edge. For painting clean borders and straight stripes, masking tape is a must.
Tools and Accessories
Ladder: For ceilings and walls an aluminum ladder with a shelf to put your paint pot on is recommended. If your ladder doesn't have a shelf, there is a gadget (a 'painter's assistant') that will help you attach your tin to your ladder. Beware of heavy, full tins that can pull the ladder over.
Stir Sticks: If not supplied with the paint, avoid garden sticks unless you want bits of twig and bark in your paint finish.
Bucket: Paint can be mixed in a bucket or tray, but a bucket also helps keep your painting paraphernalia organized in one place, instead of scattered over the floor.
Paints: Probably your most important purchase if you are embarking on a faux painting project. Buy the right paint for the job and go for the best you can afford for maximum results.
Applicators/Brushes: Paintbrushes are the other half of the equation. Bristles come out of cheap brushes, so don't skimp. The most versatile is a brush with a 2" (6mm) angle. For covering large surfaces, rollers are an essential item. You'll need to match the roller nap to the kind of paint you're using. They often come with a suitable tray, and you might consider roller skins (linings that mean you don't have to waste time scrubbing the tray). For color washing, soft sponges for washing cars are ideal.
Miscellaneous Items
A general purpose knife and a blade will be useful for various tasks, from cutting masking tape to removing unwanted paint from windows. You may need to remove wall fittings so have a screwdriver to hand (also useful for opening paint tins).
Cleaning It Up
Cleaning rags: Almost any old scrap will do as long as it's colorfast. Rags aren't just for brush cleaning - you might need them for spills and splashes. Don't worry about special brush-cleaning compounds. Dishwashing liquid will do the job, even on cream stencils that are partly oil-based.
You can go overboard buying all the fancy painting tools and kits out there, but keeping it simple is easy to do with this list. You may need to purchase sponges, stencils and other tools and special to create a certain faux finish, but these can be purchased individually for the unique needs of your project.
About the Author:
Ready to start your faux finish painting project? Faux painting artist Debra "THAT Painter Lady" Conrad has seen and learned a lot in her 17 years of painting. Claim her free "Insider's Guide to Faux Painting" to help you avoid 7 common mistakes of beginner faux painters.
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