Sponging, Ragging & Rag Rolling Finishes

Sponging-for walls, ceilings, flat surfaced furniture and cabinets-
This is perhaps the easiest of all the techniques as the goal is a random, uneven pattern. One of the keys to decorative finishes is to have a consistent flow, even in broken color effects. Keep your hand moving. Over-sponging creates muddled and splotchy areas instead of the fields of dotted color you are after. It's best to use a natural, sea sponge because of the irregular shape but a synthetic sponge can be torn to remove all fat surfaces and edges. Sponging looks best with multiple layers of color over the base. For subtle depth use varying shades of one color over the base; for more vivid shading, use contrasting colors. As a rule of thumb, sponge on darkest colors first and progress to the lighter shades--this encourages depth illusion.

1. After patching, sanding and priming, apply the base coat of paint and allow to dry.
2. Pour the darkest glaze mixture in the roller tray. Soak the sponge in thinner (mineral spirits its for oil-based, water for water-based) and wring it almost dry. The fluid in the sponge will further soften the effect. Do not have so much liquid in the sponge that glaze runs down the surface.
3. Load the darkest glaze onto the sponge and dab it on scrap paper first. This will prevent a heavy start. Begin moving the sponge in vertical rows across the surface. Allow spaces for other colors; don't try to coat the surface with this color. Move your hand constantly while dabbing with your wrist and turning the sponge periodically. When you are finished clean the tray and sponge.
4. When the first color coating is dry and the sponge is remoistened, fill the tray with a second glaze color and begin applying it to the surface in a horizontal pattern.
5. Repeat with more colors if desired.

The above procedure is an additive process with glaze. To make the sponging effect more delicate, apply the base coat, let it dry, then roll sections with glaze. Remove some of the glaze by dabbing the wall with a clean and dry sponge. Rinse and wring the sponge frequently in the appropriate thinner. You create the same effect by rolling on thinned paint instead of glaze.

Ragging-for walls, doors, flat surfaced furniture-
The effect of this finish depends on the colors in your glaze, the contrast to the base coat, and primarily upon what type of material is used to add or subtract one or more coats of glaze. Rag rolling produces a formal pattern that works well on large surfaces. Roll in vertical columns. The most common material (for an elegant and mellow effect) is soft, clean, lint-free cotton squares. Cut these squares from old clothing or bedding, but watch for loose threads.

Cheesecloth also makes a soft pattern. More striking surfaces are made with lace, canvas or burlap. For the following subtractive method two people are required to apply and work oil glaze over a semi-gloss latex base on the walls of a room. The oil glaze has a longer dry time and thus is more workable, but latex glaze will work on smaller surfaces. Keep the glaze consistency loose and fairly transparent for a true blended effect.

1. Prepare surfaces thoroughly, clean any dirt and dust, then prime if necessary.
2. Paint all walls in the chosen base color. Use a semi-gloss or satin finish. This coat can be latex paint.
3. When the base coat is dry, the first person rolls the glaze on the wall in vertical strips about 3 feet wide. Apply the glaze as a thin but even coating. Too much glaze will quickly saturate the cloth and result in a muddled effect.
4. Using a loosely bunched cloth that is moist from paint thinner, the second person begins dabbing at the vertical column of glaze to reveal the base color and blend the glaze. The motion needs to be varied. Try turning your wrist various ways while moving the cloth. Dab at the wall because too much pressure makes "holes" and fingerprints in the finish.
5. Progress in a staggered manner while always working the vertical columns of glaze into each other. As the second person finishes dabbing a row, the next row should be prepared.
6. Always work to a natural stopping spot such as the end of a wall. If you quit in the middle of a surface and allow the glaze to dry, you will not get nice blending. Also remember to wring out or change cloths when glaze is not coming off.

Rag Rolling--walls and doors-
This technique works well for large surfaces rather than on furniture. Rolling is much like the ragging technique except it produces a more formal and repetitious pattern. Work with a partner. Use oil glaze on a semi-gloss latex base color.

1. Follow steps 1-3 for "Ragging".
2. Take a piece of cotton cloth about 2 feet square and loosely roll it into a cylindrical shape. Dip the roll in thinner to get it a little moist. Starting at the top of the wall roll down a row. Always roll walls in vertical columns.
3. Begin the next row by slightly overlapping the previous one. It is imperative to keep a wet edge on the columns for proper blending. Wring out or change any saturated rolls. Remember to work to a natural stop before changing rag rolls.
   It is not recommended that you roll another color as the finish becomes too busy.