Step by step Rag rolling

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Rag Rolling

Rag Rolling creates a fascinating rippled look. It is an exciting effect that can add life and sense of movement to a plain room. You can use it all o your walls or just in feature areas.

YOU WILL NEED

• Colored Emulsion or Special Effects paint.

• Silk* as a background for your project, Gloss or Quick Dry Satin as a background for woodwork and furniture.

• Ragging chamois or ragging cloth.

• Brush or paint roller and tray. rag rolling technique

• Gloves.

• Card to test your technique before painting.

* Do not use matt emulsion for your background, at it is too absorbent.

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.

• Dampen the ragging chamois or cloth and squeeze out any excess water.

Ragging Off

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

• With the paint still wet, roll the bunched ragging chamois or cloth across the surface in a random or ‘S’ shape. Squeeze excess paint from the rag as you go.

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

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

Ragging On

• Apply the paint to your ragging chamois or cloth. Squeeze excess paint from the rag as you go.

• Cover the painted wall in widely spaced prints and gradually fill the gaps so that an overall pattern develops.

• Apply the cloth at different angles and re-bunch frequently to avoid a repeated print.

USEFUL HINTS AND TIPS

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

• When your chamois or cloth becomes clogged, rinse it through.

• When working with a partner, keep to the same job - variations in your ragging techniques may become visible.

• When you have finished ragging a wall, wipe down the corners of adjacent walls to remove any unwanted paint.

• 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.