A Done with That® Project by Koper, America’s #1 Connected ContractorTM, Free Augmented Article©
Combing glaze over a base color is a classic decorating technique that gives depth and character to a painted surface. Combing the glaze allows you to combine deep, rich colors with softer tones to create a unique textured effect.
Glaze is a thin, translucent finish that is applied over previously painted walls. You can use a colorless glaze, or add a tint to the
glaze and apply it over a contrasting base color. Combing glaze over a painted surface is an inexpensive alternative to wallpapering that does not demand a high level of skill.
Combing through the glaze with a combing tool creates a satiny texture that enriches the color of the walls. The satiny appearance comes from varying hand pressure and comb movement. If you choose an angular geometric design, use a guide stick to keep the lines precise.
You can use the combing technique on one wall or an entire room. You choose the amount of color you want in the room. When applied over a neutral tone, a tinted glaze gives just a hint of color. For a more dramatic effect, use a stronger color as a base coat and a neutral color as the glaze.
Two types of glazes are available from most well-stocked paint stores: oil base and acrylic. The advantage of using oil-based glaze is that it stays wet and workable longer. Mistakes are also easy to correct — use paint thinner to remove the glaze and then reapply. The advantages of using acrylic glaze are that it cleans up easily with water and has less odor than oil-based glaze.
You can buy glaze combs, which come in a variety of materials, or you can make your own. The tool that works most cleanly is a window-cleaner’s squeegee. It lasts longer than other homemade tools and you can custom design it by cutting the combing design into the blade. A squeegee with a removable blade is best — it is easier to cut the combing design into a loose blade.
Keys to success
If the painted surface is glossy, use an abrasive cleaner to clean off dirt and grease, as well as to roughen the surface slightly. This improves adhesion of the glaze.
Work quickly with the glaze. Plan a time for this project when you anticipate few interruptions.
Practice combing on a piece of scrap drywall painted to match the wall you want to comb. It is important to check the tint of the glaze and to determine if you need to comb the glaze more than once to achieve the effect you desire.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Tools
1. Rags
2. Paint tray
3. Paint roller
4. Paintbrush
5. Squeegee
6. Utility knife
7. Metal paint comb
Materials
1. Oil-base or acrylic glaze
2. Cardboard
PLANNING
Examine the walls and determine what you need to do to prepare the surface.
Start with a surface that is dean and smooth. Previously painted sur¬faces require no primer base.
Lay drop cloths and remove electrical outlet covers and switches.
Allow 24 hours for the glaze to dry.
STEP-BY-STEP
1. Prepare surface and apply color base, if necessary.
2. Apply glaze to surface area.
3. Comb glaze to desired pattern and allow to dry for 24 hours
Designing your own pattern
Ready-made combs are available in plastic, metal and a number of other materials. Most, however, have straight teeth set an even distance apart. Designing your own comb allows you to be more creative. You can cut grooves into a piece of stiff cardboard or you can custom-cut a squeegee to use as a glazing comb.
If you choose to use a squeegee, cut your design in cardboard first to use as a pattern. Disassemble the squeegee and use a utility knife to cut the rubber blade. Trim off the shavings left behind on the blade be-fore reassembling the squeegee. Use the smooth side of the blade to comb.
Creating a textured look
After painting the wall with a base coat in the desired color, let it dry completely and apply a coat of glaze with a roller.
Depending on the effect you are working toward, you may want to shade or feather the wet glaze with a paintbrush before starting to comb.
With a notched squeegee, comb through the glaze with long, even strokes. Press hard for a bold effect; lightly for a softer look.
Wipe the combing tool clean with a rag after each stroke. This prevents glaze from building up and clogging the teeth of the comb.
You can also use a toothed cardboard comb. Glaze tends to build in corners, so mask the adjacent wall and remove excess glaze.
Cross hatching
A good way to experiment with combing is to accent a single wall in a room with plain painted walls.
A simple crosshatched pattern is easy to control and adds a sprightly, whimsical touch in a kitchen, bathroom or children’s room.
Comb the entire surface in one direction — for example, horizontally — before starting to comb in the other. By varying the width or amount of pressure of lines at regular intervals, you can achieve patterns that are truly unique.
Creating a Satin Look
1. For a softer satiny effect, brush a light coat of glaze over the base coat. You can either lay the glaze on evenly or in a mottled fashion.
2. Comb through the glaze with varying degrees of pressure. Working in short patches rather than long strokes helps to create the satiny look.
3. Comb the same area several times for a more blended look. Continue removing glaze until you get the desired effect.
4. Finally, move the bristles of a paintbrush through the glaze with a quick side-to-side motion to blend in the comb lines.
Tinting Glaze
Glaze can be tinted with a universal tinting color, which is a color that mixes with any type of base. Use a ratio of 5 to 10 percent tinting color to the glaze to start. Then add more tint in small amounts until you get the color you want
TIPS
Complete the combing process on one wall. Then begin combing glaze on the wall on the opposite side of the room. This allows the first wall to dry a bit and prevents buildup in corners.
Combing glaze over a base coat tends to darken it. If you are combing glaze on only one wall in a room but want to keep same tone on the uncombed walls, you may have to tint the paint on those walls to darken them slightly.
As you comb, feather each stroke to blend it into the preceding one. To maintain a uniform effect over the entire area being combed, wipe the glaze off the comb after each stroke. This way the glaze cannot build up or be transferred from one combed section to another.
Wipe the glaze off the comb after each stroke for clean combing.
This article sponsored by Drexel Group, providing industrial, commercial and engineering services. Interested in Hiring Us or Learning More? Send us a note to learn about our services, and our connected communities campaign. Perhaps you desire the best rates for window rot repair, landscaping and stump removal in Oakland County, Michigan call 248-701-9328 for a free quote.
Title: Tips to working with Glaze
Keyword: measuretwicenotonce.com
Keywords: Augmented Articles, Home Automation, Landscaping, Novi Home Show, Property Preservation, Maintenance, Koper, Measuretwicenotonce, home improvement, Metro Detroit, Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, Genesee, Troy, Auburn Hills, Madison Heights, Bloomfield, Birmingham, Washington, Clarkston, Orion, Oxford, Flint, Saginaw, Davison, Novi, Northville, Grosse Pointe, Wixom, Plymouth, Ann Arbor and Michigan
Meta Description: Glaze in Lake Orion, Oxford, Oakland, Michigan, etc.
Meta Tags: #painting, #glaze, #tools, #augmentedarticle, #augmented article
Photo Tags#
Twitter Intro: We are proud to provide landscaping services @measuretwicenotonce to the connected community of Lake Orion, Oxford, Clarkston, Oakland, Michigan #Landscaping. LINK#:
Twitter 2 Intro: New on the #measuretwicenotonce blog: @landscaping improvements, easy steps to build a #Trees to our #connected community LINK:
Facebook Intro: We are proud to provide landscaping services @measuretwicenotonce to the connected community of Lake Orion, Oxford, Clarkston, Oakland, Michigan #Landscaping. LINK:
Linkedin Intro: We are proud to provide landscaping services to the connected community of Lake Orion, Oxford, Clarkston, Oakland, Michigan #measuretwicenotonce.com, #Landscaping LINK: