The Tissue Paper finish is a really great finish to do on slightly imperfect walls. The texture will hide a lot. But if there are major cracks or holes, these should be filled before going over the wall surface with the tissue paper.
We recently had a question from a reader asking about what glue to use to adhere the tissue paper to the wall in order to so the tissue paper faux finish technique correctly.
“Debra, I have a wall I want to do in the torn paper look. I have the paper ready but the only glue I found was for wall paper glue and I would have to spread it on the paper like spreading butter on bread! One piece at a time. That will take forever!!!!! Is there something,a simpler, easier and faster that I can use to stick the paper on the wall?”
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Here is what I wrote back to her:
“You don’t necessarily have to use the wallpaper glue like you have mentioned. You can always use a small mini roller and roll on the glue onto the wall and then slap the paper on. I have also used paint as glue and rolled on a section and then put my paper on. As long as you have a wet surface, the paper will stick to anything.”
Here are some simple step by step instructions to help you create the faux tissue paper finish.
1. Gather your materials
- White tissue paper
- Paint
- Glaze
- Wallpaper Paste
- Mini Roller
- Painter’s Tape
- Drop Cloth
- Paint Tray
- and anything else you might need….
2. Tape off off the room so you don’t get tissue paper, glue, and paint on the ceiling, trim, and baseboards.
3. Crumple the Tissue Paper – tear off all the straight edges off of the paper so you are left with jagged edges, then crumples the paper and open and smooth so you are left with flat sheets that have the crumpled texture left in it.
4. Apply glue / paste/ paint – in 3ft x 3ft sections
5. Apply tissue paper – Start at the top corner and work your way down and out. You can leave a straight edge on the tissue paper that will be flush to the ceiling, corners, etc. Make sure the paste / paint is still wet when you apply the paper. Smooth the paper on with the palms of your hands pulling out towards the edges. Make sure you are not left with any air bubbles. This can cause issues later.
6. Base coat your walls – wait 24 hours and then paint over the paper with 2 coats of latex paint.
7. Glazing - This is the step that creates the gorgeous antiqued, aged, tea stained look. Use 3 parts glaze to 1 part paint and then use a sponge and wash in the color. Rinse the sponge with water and then wash over it again. This will allow the darker glaze color to settle in all the recessed areas of the surface from the tissue paper.
You are left with a REALLY gorgeous finish. Here is an example done by www.matthurd.com
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Will the paint hide any lines the tissue paper pieces might leave? When you talk about the second wash, are you taking glaze off or just moving it?
You will not get any lines if you tear the edges. You will of course get lines from the paper crinkling – that is the beauty of this finish. The second wash is moving the glaze – washing it in and then washing some off so the glaze will settle in the recessed areas and give the walls an aged look.