Applying decorative paint

A great way to give any space personality and flair is with decorative paint. A masterpiece can be created on your walls with the right decorative paint, regardless of whether you want to make a statement or add a subtle texture.

Decorative paints, in contrast to conventional paints, provide a variety of finishes, such as textured effects and metallic sheens. With the help of these choices, you can make your room reflect your own style.

This post will go over how to apply decorative paint properly and offer advice on how to get a perfect finish. You will find all the necessary materials to accomplish results that look professional, regardless of your level of experience with do-it-yourself projects.

Step	Description
1. Surface Preparation	Clean and smooth the surface by sanding, filling cracks, and applying a primer.
2. Base Coat	Apply a base coat of paint to create a uniform background.
3. Decorative Technique	Use tools like brushes, sponges, or rollers to apply the decorative paint.
4. Drying Time	Allow the paint to dry completely before touching or applying a second layer.
5. Finish	Apply a protective top coat if needed to enhance durability and appearance.

Design options

Paintings are created in various ways. However, each person is free to select their own path.

Let’s examine what experts use:

• The pearlescent effect will add freshness to the room. This option is most suitable for rooms where daylight is not often present (see. Pearlescent paint for walls: fashionable trends in interior decoration).

• Some also use the effect of velvet or velor. Solid particles are added to these compositions and then the walls completely transfer these materials.

• Recently, granite paint is also used quite often. In this version, painting of decorative gypsum stone can be done and the effect will be stunning.

• Paints with fine sand and other additives can qualitatively revive the surface. Here, quite different particles can be used and make a choice according to your design solution.

Selection and application of decorative coatings

The environment and the location of application are the main factors in the selection of paint for decoration.

Here, you have to choose right away between the following two categories:

For external surfaces	This dye has the property of withstanding temperature changes and high humidity. Its price is generally more expensive. It is also used for finishing rooms without constant heating. Sale is made only in large containers.
For interior surfaces	This dye is more gentle from the environmental point of view and should not be used for outdoor work. It simply will not last long. It is sold in almost any packaging. For a small area, aerosol paint in decorative cans can be used.

The first thing to consider when painting decorative stone or any other surface is the impact it will have on the dye, which can be determined by looking at the options provided.

Types of decorative dyes

There is a wide variety of these dyes. They are separated into several categories, and in this case, you must consider what will work. The packaging contains usage instructions, but the dyes’ properties differ significantly. Let’s look at the categories and differences between decorative structural paint types right away.

Acrylic paint

The most popular kind of acrylic paints are decorative ones because they offer good value for money. For painting public and residential spaces, acrylic paint is most in demand.

Acrylic paint’s physical characteristics give it its own special parameters.

• It reacts best to moisture and its evaporation. During a long service life, the paint can be wiped with wet wipes without damaging the appearance of the surface;
• According to the most demanding requests, such a mixture can be diluted with a colorant – to obtain the desired shade when creating a unique interior;
• When applied to the surface of a wall or interior partition, it has a matte shade, which, according to most experts, has a more representative appearance (compared to a glossy shade);
• Acrylic-based paint is the standard for the ratio of affordable price and quality result.

However, using such paint in rooms with a lot of water (bathrooms, swimming pools, car washes) is not advised for a longer service life.

Latex paint

Superior to acrylic paint in painting rooms with a lot of liquid because, once the paint is applied, an imperceptible but incredibly strong protective layer forms that is unafraid of direct physical contact with water or solutions based on it.

Depending on preference, the appearance can be glossy or matte. The best use case for the solution is painting plastered surfaces. It goes perfectly with textured plaster because the transparent layer protects the patterns from liquid damage while preserving their structure.

Water-based paint based on PVA

In spaces where creating a distinctive interior design is not necessary, such a solution is employed. Although this type of paint may not have every shade that is available, it still does a good job of painting the surface.

• In addition, it has a fairly low cost, which makes it one of the sales leaders in construction stores.

Note: It is not advisable to paint bathrooms using water-based paint as the primary paint.

• It is worth noting that to obtain a more saturated shade, the paint material should be applied in several layers. The second and subsequent layers are applied only after the previous layer has completely dried.
• In addition, before painting, it is recommended to prepare the surface by pre-treating it with a primer. This will allow the paint to be fixed on the surface more efficiently, as well as reduce the consumption of water-based paint.

Alkyd paint and oil paint

These paint solutions have a more saturated color and a more durable layer that forms during drying.

However, there are a few drawbacks as well:

• A rather sharp specific smell, so working with such paint is very problematic. In order to protect your health, you need to work in a well-ventilated area and use devices that protect your respiratory system. Once completely dry, the smell disappears completely.
• High cost of paint and high consumption of material;
• Poor selection of shades;
• When using the most common painting tools (brush, roller), the speed of work is extremely low.

The intermediate results can be combined to show that some painting materials are frequently used. They are typically inexpensive and don’t need a lot of attention while they are being operated on.

Attention: The only thing you should focus on is making sure the surface is clean in accordance with factory specifications and following specific guidelines when applying the material.

How to determine the appropriate paint color and quantity for the needed area:

• The deeper the relief of the decorative plaster, the higher the paint consumption will be. Before starting work on painting surfaces, it is necessary to make the most accurate calculation of the required material. This will help to avoid unnecessary costs for purchasing paint. To do this, you need to measure the length and height of the walls. In addition, you need to take into account the area of ​​​​doors, windows – calculate it and subtract it from the total value. Next, you need to decide on the type of paint to use.
• On the containers, the paint manufacturer indicates the approximate consumption according to the specified area. You need to adhere to the highest values ​​​​for your area, multiplied by two. After all, painting should be done in several layers. You also need to take into account unforeseen expenses – for this, you should add another 10 – 15% of the total volume of paint.

Necessary tools for painting the surface

To paint, you need to have:

• Roller or wide brush (see. Paint brushes: which ones to choose), preferably with a tray;
• Cord;
• A small container with spikes along the edge, for removing excess paint.

Take note: Painting doesn’t begin until the plaster has completely dried.

This may take a few hours to several days, depending on the room’s ventilation. The time can also be impacted by the solution’s quality, the room’s humidity level, and the outside air temperature.

Decorative paint provides an easy way to add depth and texture to walls that ordinary paint cannot. Any room can be revitalized with the simple project of applying decorative paint, regardless of the style you want to achieve—rustic, metallic, or marbled. You don’t need a lot of experience to customize your space with a distinctive, polished finish if you use the right tools and techniques.

Recommendations for applying decorative paint

Experts recommend doing the following when using dyes:

• In order to avoid mold in the future, experts recommend treating the surface with a primer before painting. In this case, you will also have to wait until the surface is completely dry;

• Immediately before the production of staining actions, it is advisable to protect the floor, ceiling, window sills from the possible hit of the drops of the material. Previously, newspapers performed this function, which, if a large amount of material got on them, could become saturated and allow paint to penetrate the protected surface. Currently, stores specializing in construction sell polyethylene film, which is inexpensive and will completely protect the required interior elements;

• When opening the container, the paint must be thoroughly mixed. Also, during the work, it is necessary to periodically stir the remaining paint to prevent sediment from forming on the bottom of the container;

• When using a brush and roller, strokes can be applied with vertical and horizontal movements;
• When working with a brush, strokes are applied with horizontal movements, and then slightly shaded with vertical or vice versa. This procedure is performed in order to achieve the uniformity of the shade of the paint on the surface;

• When working with a roller, pay attention to the fact that the paint residues from the roller must be removed on the spiked edge. Otherwise, paint particles may get on the worker, his clothes and body parts. Strokes on the surface should be applied from top to bottom, and then vice versa. Painting should be done in stripes overlapping by approximately 40 – 50 millimeters. After updating the roller with paint, the pressure force should be small, gradually increasing with the paint consumption. Painting in one or more layers is allowed;

• A practically ideal shade of the treated surface in terms of uniformity is obtained by using two working tools. To do this, first you need to paint with a brush with further shading, then the uniformity of the shade is achieved by working with a roller;
• To create a unique and unusual interior, you can paint in several layers. To do this, it is worth painting the wall with light tones – one or two, which are subsequently perceived as base layers. After this, paint the wall with the main color. It is worth deciding in advance on the structure of the pattern or arbitrary drawing;
• Use paint of the same tone, but a darker shade, to cover the protruding parts of the decorative plaster relief. Also, as an alternative to dark shades, it is allowed to use metallics (silver, gold, etc.).d.);
• High-quality shading is also achieved by using a sponge. In addition, using a rubber sponge, you can achieve the effect of artificial surrounding the surface;
• If you used the bark beetle as a decorative plaster, then a fairly interesting effect is achieved when staining the wall with a roller that has a small pile. Insufficiently painted recesses emphasize the unique style of the room.

Painting with non-uniform texture

Textured plaster painting has a few subtle differences of its own:

• Work should begin with painting the textured areas of the plaster. Only after they have completely dried should you begin painting the flat surface. Otherwise, small fragments of textured depressions may peel off, mix them with the main volume of the paint solution and apply to a flat surface;
• If there is a need to apply one or more layers, this procedure is not necessary;
• To achieve matte or glossy shades, it is recommended to cover the surface with beeswax or clear varnish.

Various painting technologies

Depending on the surface material and design option, you must select the painting technique.

Here, you will have to select one of the following options:

• Painting in one layer

The easiest way to paint is in a single layer. Every depression and protrusion is painted. We are left with the original shade as a result, which we can modify or leave as is.

Brush and roller can be used to apply the dye. However, using a spray gun is worthwhile if you have a large surface. It allows you to apply the most even layer possible.

• Relief painting method

Sophisticated painting technique. The basic idea is to paint protrusions and depressions with a lighter or darker tone of the same shade after the dried layer has set.

1. As a working tool, use a roller with short pile or a brush, onto which the required amount of paint is applied. The effect of a more voluminous relief from textured plaster is achieved.
2. In addition, all protrusions or depressions can be decorated using metallic.
3. It is achieved by using a dry brush or by using a special mitten, thanks to which the shading is smoother and looks more natural.

Note: Too much metallic material gives the impression of total lack of taste, so use it with extreme caution when using it.

• Blur

When it’s essential to concentrate solely on the relief plaster’s nooks and crannies, this technique should be considered. Usually, in this situation, the base shade’s darker tones are utilized.

1. The technology of painting with this method itself involves applying paint of a darker tone (as opposed to the base) to the protrusions of the plaster, the paint dries for a short time, and then using a damp cloth or rag, the surfaces are rubbed. As a result, the paint of a darker tone settles in the depressions, which gives the surface of the wall or interior partition a unique design.
2. As the main base layer of paint, it is worth choosing a higher quality and more expensive paint that effectively resists physical contact with water, as a paint for shades, experts advise choosing a cheaper paint that can be easily washed off the surface being treated. This method is quite time -consuming and requires long -term time costs, therefore it is only used when the owner of the dwelling has a lot of free time.

In the event that hired labor is used to complete the repair, be aware that they will charge a premium for their services when using this coloring technique.

Pros and cons of different methods of applying paint to the surface

In this case, the question is a little off. Since someone has more free time and someone has free money, all the benefits and drawbacks of the situation are highly subjective. All that needs to be mentioned is that using a dry brush allows for faster work than staining through blurring. You can’t argue with the rest of the customer’s taste.

It’s also important to keep in mind that painting a wall or interior partition will require more paint if the relief surface has deeper depressions and protrusions. If required, the wall can be painted in multiple coats using entirely different shades (it’s best to use complementary colors).

One of the best ways to give your place personality and character is to apply decorative paint. At first, the process might seem overwhelming, but with the correct tools and methods, you can produce amazing results.

Always remember that surface preparation is an important step in the process and should not be rushed. Select the paint and finish type that best fits your taste and the intended use of the space.

With a little imagination and perseverance, you can turn plain walls into one-of-a-kind masterpieces that express your style and make your house really yours.

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