I am considering faux painting my bathroom to achieve a grasscloth effect. Is dragging the correct technique? Can you please forward me instructions and tips for the correct technique? Thank you so much ~Laura
Hi Laura, The grasscloth effect is a very beautiful finish, but there are some concerns that I would like to address before you decide to attempt this finish. First of all, this finish is not for a beginner. It can be difficult to do, especially in a small room. Working around things like a toilet, sink, and light fixtures can be nearly impossible.
The grasscloth finish has to be done in 3ft sections. You cannot do one whole wall at once, because the glaze can dry before you are finished dragging through it. You may be able to do larger sections, if you have a second person helping. But really, real grasscloth comes in sheets and is put up like wallpaper. You will see the seams. So after doing the paint finish, you will also see the seams.
I am not trying to discourage you from doing this finish. I just want you to be aware of what goes into it. I would suggest doing it in a dining room, below a chair rail – flat walls, where you don’t need to maneuver around anything. A bathroom may be tricky, depending on the size. Maybe you can do just one wall to start and see how you do.
Do a sample board first with the colors that you choose. Do one sample with the lighter color as the base and then another sample with the darker color as the base. See which one you like the best.
Anyway, here are a few step by step instructions.
How to Achieve the Grasscloth Effect
1. Base coat the walls with a latex paint.
2. Measure the room and figure out how large you want the panels to be, imagine wallpaper panels. With a pencil, mark your measurements and then use a long level to mark the vertical lines.
3. You will need to tape off every other panel with low tack painter’s tape. Once that panel has been glazed and dried, you will need to remove the tape from that panel and then tape the panel right next to it.
Best Tools for Painting Faux Grass Cloth
Frog Tape 82011 Pro Painters Masking Tape, Green 1-Inch by 60-Yards
Tintable Glaze (Scumble) – Dp608-32 32Oz Tintable Glaze
4. When glazing, use a brush to get into the corners and ceilings, then quickly roll on the glaze over the first panel. Use your dragging tool (brush, wallpaper brush, or squeegie with teeth cut into it) to drag vertically through the glaze (top to bottom). Continue this on every other panel.
5. Be sure to read the directions on your glaze for the drying time. Some glazes dry slower than others. Once the glaze is dry from the first pass, roll on your second coat and drag horizontally through the wet glaze. Be sure to wipe off your dragging tool after a few times of use. Otherwise the glaze will get caked on and you will have a mess.
6. Remove the painter’s tape before the paint dries completely. By the time you’ve moved around the room once, the first panel should be dry so you can tape over it to start filling in the remaining panels. If not, then you can let it dry overnight.
7. Start the same process over again on the remaining panels.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
Here is a bit more information about
How To Faux Paint A Grass Cloth Look On Walls?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for the info, Dawn. I think I will try it. I can always paint over it, right?
Of course you can paint over it! That is the great thing about paint. I wish you all the best as you attempt this finish. Let us know how it goes!
it is helpful to see pictures during any process you describe. without them, while imagining is possible, it is not the best way to teach. please attach pictures in the future if you are able. otherwise, i’ll just read a technique book. thank you.