Add Texture to Paint
Textured paint is a great way to hide imperfections in the walls and ceilings you paint. It's also popular even if there's nothing to hide because it's more interesting than a flat, smooth surface. You can also use textured paint on stairs or walks to help prevent slipping. You can texture a surface and then paint, or paint and then texture using rags, sponges or other items. Or, you can save yourself a step by adding texture directly to the paint.
Steps
- Buy the highest quality paint you can. Texture will stay suspended better in a high quality paint, and it will go on the surface more smoothly. Keep in mind that when you add texture to paint, the area that you can cover is reduced by as much as 25 percent, so buy extra paint.
- Latex is best on unprimed, bare drywall. Together with texture, it's a popular choice for ceilings. You cannot use latex paint on a wall that has previously been covered with an oil-based paint without first priming the wall with a primer specifically designed for this purpose.
- Alkyd resin paint is used not only for trim, but in high-traffic areas like hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. Because it's an oil-based paint, you can wash it without removing it from the wall. You can't use it on drywall without priming first, and you must clean the painting tools with solvent, which you must dispose of carefully.
- Choose a texture premix at a paint store or home improvement center. Textures available include suede, sand, popcorn and stone. You mix the texture into the paint when you're ready to begin painting.
- Pour the paint from the can into a larger container so you will have enough room to add the texture.
- Follow the directions regarding the ratio of texture to paint.
- Use a dust mask when mixing, and add the texture slowly so it doesn't clump. Stir often.
- Create your own texture with sand. Don't use sand you might find at the beach or in your own yard. Instead, buy silica sand at the paint or home improvement center. Several grain sizes are available. Mix the sand into the paint in a ratio of 10 parts paint to 1 part sand.
- Add a smooth texturing agent to paint to thicken it enough to apply with a trowel or a putty knife. This will give the illusion of painted plaster or stucco.
Tips
- Test your textured paint on a piece of scrap drywall or wood to see if you like the look. If you don't, you can adjust the ratio of texture to paint.
- Consider buying textured paint, which already has the texture mixed in. Be aware, however, that textured paint often doesn't look good when viewed close up. For this reason, textured paint is most often only used on ceilings.
Warnings
- Textured paint is difficult to remove, so be sure of your choice before applying it.
Related Articles
- Paint an Accent Wall
- Choose the Right Color Paint
- Prepare a Room for Painting
- Match Paint Colors
- Texture a Room
