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Bagging

There are two techniques to bagging which give different but complementary effects. Bagging-On which creates a very dramatic effect or Bagging-Off which is more subtle.
Bagging-on puts less paint on the surface at a time and is the technique to use if you have several colors.

YOU WILL NEED

• Colored Latex/Emulsion or Special Effects Paint.

• Use a Silk finish emulsion as a background surface for your project; Gloss or Quick Dry Satin as a background for woodwork and furniture. Remember, that the shinier the surface you are bagging on, the slower the paint will dry.

• Bagging roller or polythene bag.

• Brushes and paint roller and tray.

• Card or board to test your technique before painting.

* Do not use matt latex/emulsion for your background, as it is too absorbent, unless you are experienced.

•Gloss or matt varnish to protect the finished project. A gloss varnish will make the colour appear stronger than a matt varnish.

YOUR STEP BY STEP GUIDE

• Before you start, experiment on a card to achieve the desired effect.

• Ensure surface to be decorated is clean.

• Apply a base coat and allow to dry.

Bagging Off

• Apply the paint over approximately a square metre area, using your brush or roller.

• With the paint still wet, roll the bagging roller over the area with a random motion. Wipe excess paint from the roller as you go.

• To avoid visible seams between blocks, use your roller or brush to blend the two areas together before bagging the join.

• Work from the bottom to the top then across the wall, standing back occasionally to assess the effect.

Bagging On

• Roll the bagging roller in the paint, avoid overloading.

• Roll carefully onto the surface in random strokes.

• If you are using several colors, allow each color to completely dry before the next application.

USEFUL HINTS AND TIPS

• Allow enough time to complete a wall in one session.

• On walls, use a brush or roller.

• On doors and paint work, apply with a brush before bagging off.

• If a mistake is made, brush or roll over the area while the paint is still wet and re-bag.

• Surfaces subject to wear and tear should be protected with clear varnish which should be applied after the effect has been allowed to dry for at least 24 hours.

•If a single colour is applied too sparsely with bagging-on it can be mistaken for vandalism. Use at least two colors when bagging-on.

anglo-american equivalents; latex, emulsion;colored, coloured; color, colour