How to paint the wall using a feather duster?

Answer 1

To paint the "faux finish" done with a feather duster, sometimes called "tickling"

you will need:

- Paint in a base colour, enough to paint the walls (a gallon/4 liter can should do an average sized room)

- Paint in a contrasting colour (a quart/liter in enough)

- Acrylic based faux finishing/glazing compound enough to cover all the walls, (in a small room 1 quart/liter should be enough)

- Basic repair/cleaning supplies: spackle, sandpaper, tack cloth, primer, de-glossing compound, water, buckets, sponges.

- Basic painting supplies: drop-cloths (plastic & cloth or light & heavy duty plastic), protective gear (gloves, hats, masks), painters' masking tape, paint trays, paint tray liners, brushes, roller cages, roller sleeves (at least 2), stir sticks, empty clean plastic containers or paint cans, a bucket of water, rags, garbage bags.

- Faux finishing supplies, feather dusters (at least 1 per wall), paint shield,

- Someone to help, this is easiest with two people, but be sure you work well together, the work space will be cramped.

How to:

- Prepare the room - remove furniture, cover floor with drop-cloths, cover windows and other areas not to be painted with light-weight plastic covers, remove electrical switch and cover plates, tape baseboards and trim.

- Inspect the walls and clean thoroughly, repair all cracks, holes and flaws in the surfaces. Sand and prime.

- Apply base coat with roller, allow to set up and apply second coat (if using), allow base coat to dry completely (overnight if possible)

- Mix 2 parts glazing compound, 2 parts contrasting colour paint and 1 part clear water in a bucket, (adjust for consistency) and pour some into a clean paint tray. Keep remaining mixture covered.

- Start at the top of your wall, working in a small area (4 foot by 4 foot approx.)using a clean brush, cut in the glazing compound mixture and roll the area.

- Work fast, use a paint shield near the ceiling, using a clean feather duster, brush random strokes through the glaze, removing some as you go. Alternate quick straight-ish sweeps with curved strokes and swirls. the grazing mixture should come off in random patterns and in random amounts (the base colour will show through to varying degrees across the finish). Wipe the duster on rags to keep it as clean as possible (the more saturated it becomes the less glazing compound it will pick up) Step back often to inspect the work, you will see areas that need more "work" from that distance.

- Keeping a wet edge, move on to the next area along the wall. (if you are working alone, your next area will be below the first one, if you have someone working with you move to the next "top area and then back to the first "lower" area as they move out of the way). Keep going, use your paint shield (be sure to keep the back spotlessly clean to cut down on touch ups later), work until the entire wall/room is complete.

- Check the finished look, clean up your brushes, rollers & sleeves, trays and buckets. Seal and store extra paints, glazing mixture and glazing compound.

- Remove painters' tape and coverings from windows and doors. Allow room to dry, re-install electrical switch plates and covers, take up drop cloth, move furniture back into the room and restore it to "livable space."

- Dispose of used tape, plastic coverings, rags etc. in an environmentally responsible manner.

- Enjoy your new room.