Faux Finishing Techniques: Sponging

by Pat & Jackie Baxter

1. Apply desired base coat over properly prepared walls.
   
   
2. You may apply glaze one color at a time, with complete drying between layers, or all colors at once.
   
   Option #1: Sponge a little of each of your colors on the wall, not worrying about how it looks at this point. We recommend applying glaze with a damp natural wool sea sponge (not just a painting sponge) using the rounded, not flat side of your sponge. Work in 1 to 2 foot sections.
   
   Option #2: Sponge one color on your wall, not worrying about how it looks at this point. Apply glaze with a damp natural wool sea sponge using the rounded, not flat side of your sponge. Work in 1 to 2 foot sections.
   
   
3. While the area is still wet and workable, take a second damp natural wool sea sponge and dab lightly over the top of the color/colors you have just applied. This will soften it and take away the spongy appearance. The second sponge will correct all the fingerprints, smudges, dark spots, light spots, and streaks from the first sponge sliding across the wall, etc.
   
   
4. Corners should be done by running 2" painters tape down the wall you are not sponging. Use the tape to your advantage. Rest your sponge on the tape and press your sponge into the corner, rotating sponge occasionally to prevent a polka-dot effect. After the corner section is done, continue down the wall.
   
   TIP: If walls are done before corners you may have too much of an overlap in the corner area when you do try to sponge your corner.
   
   
5. Remove tape and let dry while you move on to the wall on the opposite side of the room.
   
   
6. Now come back and apply tape to the corner of the wall you previously finished, when it is dry.
   
   
7. Sponge the unfinished wall as you did the others.
   
   
8. Remove tape and if you need to apply more glaze to the corner, do so with a lightly loaded chip brush. Apply sparingly, by dabbing the corner in random spots with the chip brush.