Mike Wye & Associates
Suppliers of Natural Building and Decorating Products
  • Phone us on 01409 281644
  • E-mail us by clicking on sales@mikewye.co.uk
  • Write to us at Buckland Filleigh Sawmills, Buckland Filleigh, Devon EX21 5RN, England.

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    COLOURWASH (TRANSPARENT)

    Technical Information Sheet

    Having followed preparation and application of base coat in either Emulsion or Casein (see Technical Information Sheets) one can apply our NBT Transparent Colourwash, available in five colours, (see Technical Information Sheet) or make your own Colourwash using Colour Concentrate, )see Technical Information Sheets)

    Application

    Shake container before use. If making your own Colourwash use 25% Colour Concentrate to 1 litre of Clear Colourwash and shake vigorously. Pour into a paint tray or open container. Apply to surface with a damp sponge or a wide soft brush. If applying with sponge immediately soften with a 'softening brush' as per instructions below.

    Colourwash can be applied neat or diluted with up to 50% clear Colourwash, depending on depth of colour required

    Adding water lightens the colour and extends 'working' time. If the Colourwash is too thick up to 25% of water can be added.

    Casein Paint is very absorbent and needs sealing with one coat of diluted Glaze Medium prior to Colourwashing. See Technical Information Sheet

    Instructions

    Application A

    Apply the Colourwash, with a wide brush using wide haphazard criss-cross strokes , working quickly to avoid patchy areas. Work in approximately one square metre areas, ensure you have a 'broken' wet edge so the next area can blend in easily , work quickly from left to right until you have completed one wall without stopping. Any 'patchy' areas can be remedied with the next coat, 3 - 4 hours later or the next day. When applying a second coat, concentrate on the patchy areas. If you are using a strong pigmented colourwash, e.g.. Aqua or Terracotta, you may wish to dilute the strength of colour with up to 50% clear colourwash depending on depth of colour. This method of application gives a definite 'brush stroke' texture. For a softer look, see Application B below.


    Application B

    Using a damp sponge (at least 10cm x 15cm ) quickly apply your Colourwash making large circular strokes completely covering approx. 1 square metre of wall, leaving a 'broken' wet edge. Working quickly (for a large room work with a partner, one applying with sponge and one 'softening' with brush) take a specialist softening brush and apply long, wide crisscross strokes to soften out the Colourwash, creating a very soft textured finish. Work in this order until you have completed one wall from edge to edge without stopping - otherwise there is a tendency to create uneven streaks. Any patchy areas can be remedied with the next coat as outlined in Application A.

    Allow 3- 6 hours drying time between coats depending on room temperature. Successive coats may be applied to create depth, either using the same colour or a variation of colour. Colourwashes can be mixed, prior to application , in varying proportions to create further colours.

    Example: Apply 'Terracotta' Colourwash as above, once dry apply a coat of 'Cane' Colourwash. The result will be an 'earthy' peach colour . Note: The colour of the base coat (emulsion or casein) will always affect the shade of the Colourwash applied. This gives tremendous scope for an infinite number of colours. For example, 'Cane' Colourwash on a blue base colour will result in a green/blue shade.


    Note: Always carry out a colour test on white card or paper first. Having followed preparation and application of base coat in either Casein Paint see Technical Information Sheet 110 or Emulsion see Technical Information Sheet 120 one can apply Transparent Colourwash, see Technical Information Sheet 270

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