Mike Wye & Associates
Suppliers of Natural Building and Decorating Products
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    RAGGING, BAGGING, DRAGGING AND SPONGING WITH COLOURWASH

    Technical Information Sheet

    Having followed preparation and application of base coat in Emulsion, see Technical Information Sheet, one can achieve a variety of special effects using Colourwash, Glaze medium. See Technical Information Sheets.

    Preparation:

    Seal the surface with diluted Glaze Medium - one part Glaze Medium two parts water. Allow to dry 3 hours.

    Application

    Shake Colourwash container well before use.

    Pour into a paint tray or open container.

    Apply Colourwash to your sealed emulsion surface with a decorators brush.

    Using a dragging brush or special effects 'tool' create your desired effect as detailed below.

    A wide range of colours can be made using Colour Concentrate mixed with Clear Colourwash - See Technical Sheets. Instructions:

    Rag Rolling and Bagging using a cotton, lint free cloth or plastic bag.

    Using a decorators brush apply the Colourwash to your surface. Taking a dry cotton lint free rag, scrunch the rag and roll it across the surface in roughly random figure of eight shapes, working in an orderly manner across the surface. As the Colourwash has limited drying time it is recommended that you work with a partner, (working on large wall areas can be difficult because you need one person applying the Colourwash and another creating the effect). When working on a wall, work from the bottom left up, section by section, across to the top of the wall, ensuring that your ragging is random, blending edges in well . When the rag becomes too wet or clogged with Colourwash, discard and start with a new rag. Leave to dry for at least 3 hours. Once dry this can be lightly sanded to ensure a uniform effect. A second coat can be applied in the same manner. Always test on a sample board first.

    This technique can be used with a plastic bag, which moves the glaze about without absorbing it and creating a deeper texture. Try these effects on a sample board first.

    Dragging using a pure bristle/horse hair dragging brush.

    Using a decorators brush, apply Colourwash to your surface - ensure it is an even coat. (If dragging walls you need a very steady hand, and a plumb line to ensure the lines are straight. It is recommended that you work with a partner in order to achieve a professional finish.) Take your dry dragging brush and place the long bristles flat on to the painted surface and drag in a straight line downwards, lifting the brush slightly as you come to the bottom of your wall, door etc. Continue working in this manner ensuring you always overlap the previous application to obtain a professional finish. Wipe the dragging brush with a clean, dry cotton lint free cloth, after each vertical dragging to avoid build up of glaze. The brush will eventually become clogged - wash and dry the brush and continue on. Always start at one edge of the surface and work your way across. Never stop midway through a vertical stroke, this can lead to streaking and dry patches. Always work from left to right completing a wall, door etc. without stopping . If you make a mistake, quickly wipe the surface with a damp cloth and start again!

    Sponging using a 'natural' sponge:

    Dampen the sponge and then dip into your Colourwash, do not overload the sponge (take a little each time) and test dabbing on card or paper first. Once you have established the strength of effect you want, begin working in a sequence sponging approximately one metre square at a time, sponge randomly, ensuring you are filling in all the area, avoiding join lines - fill in gaps missed with a second coat having stood back and surveyed your work from a distance. Work through from edge to edge of your wall, door etc. without stopping. Allow each coat to dry at least 3 hours before applying the next one. You can sponge several colours over each other.

    For sponging 'off' - apply colour with a brush or sponge and then take a clean damp sponge and dab off -leaving a hint of colour on the surface, ensure you rinse the sponge to avoid build up. (Use a rag instead of a sponge if you wish). Once dry you can lightly sand the effect for a uniform finish.

    Note: If using Colourwash in a creative effect on kitchen cupboards or other high 'wear' areas we suggest you apply a coat of Glaze Medium, to give a tougher finish, (see Glaze Medium Technical Information Sheet).

    Having followed preparation and application of base coat in Emulsion see Technical Information Sheet 120 one can apply a variety of special effects using specialist brushes and tools.

    Application:

    Add 5ml to 25ml of prepared Binding Agent to 1 litre of Colourwash making a slow drying glaze for creating special effects.

    Shake container before use.

    Pour into a paint tray or open container.

    Apply with to surface with a brush and create special effects as detailed below.

    For very absorbent surfaces dampen the surface down first with a damp cloth or sponge. One can also use the semi-transparent Colourwash mixed with Casein Paint to create special effects. See Special Effects Sheet.

    Instructions:

    Rag Rolling and Bagging using a cotton, lint free cloth or plastic bag.

    Using a decorators brush apply the Colourwash mixed with Binding Agent to approximately 1m square of your surface. Taking a dry cotton lint free rag, scrunch the rag and roll it across the surface in roughly random figure of eight shapes, working in an order across the surface.

    Always ensure that your sectioned areas blend in well - no streaks or lines showing. If working on a wall - work from the bottom section by section and across to the top of the wall. Once dry this can be light sanded to ensure a uniform effect. When the rag becomes to wet or clogged with Colourwash, discard and start with a new rag.

    This technique can be used with a plastic bag, which moves the glaze without absorbing, thereby creating a deeper texture. Try these effects on a sample board first.

    Dragging using a pure bristle and horse hair dragging brush.

    Using a decorator's brush, apply your Colourwash mixed with Binding Agent to your surface - ensure it is an even coat.

    Take your dragging brush and place flat onto painted surface and drag in a straight line downwards, lifting the dragging brush slightly as you come to the bottom of your wall, door etc. Wipe the dragging brush with a clean dry cotton lint free cloth, after each vertical dragging to avoid build up of glaze. Ensure that you slightly overlap each vertical line you drag to create a professional finish.

    Always start at one edge of the surface and work your way across. Never stop midway through a surface, this can lead to dry patches and streaking. If you make a mistake, quickly wipe the surface with a damp cloth and start again.

    It is recommended that you work with a partner if you are dragging walls - one applying the glaze and the other dragging through it.

    Sponging using a 'natural' sponge:

    Dampen the sponge and then dip into your Colourwash mixed with Binding Agent, do not overload the sponge, take a little each time and test on a card first. Once you have established the strength of effect you want, begin working in a sequence, approximately 1m square dabbing the sponge haphazardly, ensuring you are filling in all the area evenly - fill in gaps missed after standing back and surveying your work from a distance.

    You can sponge several colours. Allow each colour to dry before applying the next one.

    For sponging 'off' - apply colour with a brush or sponge and then take a clean damp sponge and dab off -leaving a hint of colour on the surface, ensure you rinse the sponge to avoid build up. (You can use a rag instead of a sponge if you wish). Lightly sand the effect for a uniform finish if desired.

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