Copyright: Copyright 1993, 1994 Graham Plowman


CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

TOOLS

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SPONGE PAINT

SURFACE PREPARAITON

HINTS

The Shareware Concept

Other Available Products from HILDEBRAND UNLIMITED!


TITLE PAGE
Contents for SPONGE IT! Help

SPONGE IT! is a program for DIY'ers

To learn how to use Help, press the F1 key.

Click above to view contents

Help File Copyright


Copyright
This Windows Help file was written by William K. Hildebrand and refers to:

SpongeIt! Version 1.00 / 27-12-1994

Copyright 1994,95 HILDEBRAND UNLIMITED!


GRANITE


HINTS
Brush & Roller Hints

Brushes

Pick a brush that suits you.

Dip only 1/3 of the bristles into paint.

Wipe excess off on inside rim of bucket or pan.

Apply coating to surface using the tips of the bristles.

Apply coating from dry to wet using short strokes.

Smooth out using long strokes.

Rollers

Avoid getting paint on roller frame when dipping.

Dip roller cover into paint and roll excess off on grid in pan.

The first stroke on a wall should be upward to avoid

drips and spattering.

Walls may be painted out in a series of N-shaped patterns

first and then smoothed out by rolling up and down over

the N-shaped patterns

Doing so, you will maintain a "wet-edge" and avoid lap

marks.

General

"Cut in" using brush to paint corners and next to trim and

ceilings before using roller to paint bulk of wall.

Don't let paint dry in brushes or roller covers, drop them in

a bucket of water if you're using latex or thinner if you're

using oil-based materials until you can clean them-

-Or you can seal them  in a plastic bag overnight and use

  	right out of the bag if you're not changing color/coatings.


HOW TO
HILDEBRAND UNLIMITED!

LIST OF AVAILABLE LESSONS

For those that have never painted before:

1. Choosing the right paint

2. Painting tools

3. Surface preparation

4. Application Basics

For those that have painted before:

1. How to Sponge Paint

2. How to Rag Roll Paint

3. A Simple Faux Rock Using Plasitic Sheeting

4. A Simple Faux Marble Technique

5. A Simple Pickling Technique

6. Wall Texturing: The Simple Way

7. A Simple Faux Wood Grain Technique

For those that think they know what they are doing, and want to learn some more:

1. Old Painter's Secrets and Some New Ideas


ILLUSTRATIONS # 1


ILLUSTRATION # 2


ILLUSTRATION # 3


INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions for sponge painting over a clean, dry, painted wall:

1. Wet sponge in water and wring out excess so that sponge is damp, but not dripping.

2. Wet sponge in paint and wring out excess so that it is not dripping.

3.  Use this to mark a "grid" on the wall of  loose squares that are about one foot square [CLICK HERE FOR ILLUSTRATION] turning the sponge frequently so you are not "stamping" the same thing over and over . This will help you make your walls look consistent all the way around the room. The idea is a consistent randomness.

4.  When you have finished marking your grid off, you are ready to start transforming your wall into a work of art. Start by sponging only one or two spots in each square [CLICK HERE TO SEE ILLUSTRATION] of the grid all the way around the room. When you have gone all the way around the room adding one or two sponge dabs to each grid, stop and look at it.  Is the pattern dense enough?  If not, go back and add one or two more dabs in each of the squares.  I stress that it is important to do a little to each square at a time in order for the wall to look consistent. It is important to turn the sponge frequently and use different "dabbing" pressures for randomness.

5. For corners, use scissors to cut a sponge to fit. Use this "corner" sponge very sparingly.

Colors in the same hue family that have little contrast will give a wall a subtle pattern. Colors that contrast a lot give a dramatic pattern when put on sparsely.

Densely sponge painted surfaces gives a faux granite look.

Sponge painting techniques are also used to do faux marble finishes.

Experiment with different colors and  pattern density and you will discover many of the different looks that can be achieved using sponge painting techniques.

Sponge painting is fun and gives you a sense of worthy accomplishment.

So by all means, enjoy yourself and be proud of what you do!

[CLICK HERETO SEE EXAMPLE OF COMPLETED WALL]


INTRODUCTION

Sponge painting is one of the simplest specialty painting techniques there is to learn. It can create a beautiful, unique look (and hide a lot of wall imperfections). A sponge painted wall consists of a base coat of paint and one or more sponged-on complementary or contrasting color(s).  The pattern you make can be anywhere between sparse and dense. These instructions cover  simple contrasting colors put on sparingly on a wall that already has the base coat on it. You use the same technique to do multiple colors and dense patterns. Sponge painting is simple, but please practice on something before doing your walls. That way you get the 'feel' of how it works and a better idea of how it looks.  Don't worry...if you don't like the way it looks--you can always repaint it!


Shareware
Try SpongeIt! tm and if you like it, help support the cause!

Register by sending $5.00 to:

Billy Hildebrand

6712 Longwood Road

Little Rock, AR 72207-2729

By registering, you are entitled to free on-line advice for your sponging needs. Also, you will make it posssible for me to develop and distribute more useful painting help tools. I welcome all comments and I appreciate you trying SpongeIt!tm.

Billy Hildebrand

HILDEBRAND UNLIMITED!

Compuserve 74551,2234


SURFACE PREPARATION
Surface Preparation for Sponge Painting

Previously Painted Dry Wall/Sheet Rock

1. Remove all electrical covers and mask off exposed boxes

    with masking tape.

2. Mask off trim and baseboards.

3. Use dropcloth in front of area you are working on.

4. Clean walls to remove surface contaminants-

- use mild detergent and water on latex/water-based,

  rinse, and let dry

- use a liquid deglosser on alkyd/oil based surfaces

  follow label instructions

5. Fill nail holes/caulk/make any repairs and spot prime, let dry

6.You are now ready to "cut in" with a brush and roll on the

    base coat(paint the whole wall) and apply other decorative

    finishes like sponge paint.

~HINT- Put some rubbing alcohol on your finger and

  rub the surface...if paint comes off on to your finger

  ...its probably a latex/water based paint

NOTE: If you are changing hue colors or hue intensity drastically

either from light to dark or dark to light, you should apply a

primer/sealer before painting. This is so the previous coating

doesn't "bleed" through the new coating.

Clean Up for Latex/Water-based Paint

Most latex products will clean up with soap and water before

they dry.  Paint thinner, lacquer thinner or dried-latex paint

remover [there is such a thing, ask you local paint store] will

remove dried up spots [thinners tend to dull finishes-so test

in an inconspicuous place first].


TOOLS
TOOLS NEEDED:

Natural sea sponges

Disposable latex gloves

Quality latex wall paint

Scissors

Paint roller pan or bucket