Tone-On-Tone Stripes

Painting stripes is one of the most popular faux techniques. Stripes can add visual interest to any room or space, and can accomplish a variety of different looks.

This page will concentrate upon vertical stripes, which is the most popular.

My personal favorite is the flat/glossy stripes, which I believe looks both very elegant and restrained.

All of these looks are achieved using the same general steps. The difference lies in your personal selection of colors.

"Flat on Gloss Technique"

• Latex flat Finish Paint (for base coat)
• Latex Semi-Gloss Paint (for striping, in the same color as the base coat)

Necessary Paint Supplies and Applicators

• 3/8" Nap Roller Cover
• 4" roller
• Paint Tray
• 2" Angled Nylon/Poly Brush
• 2" Blue Tape (30 day release)
• Chalk
• Tape measure
• Drop cloth or plastic

Additional Equipment

• A Partner to Help (at least with Step 2)

STEP 1:

 Painting the Base Coat

Begin by taping around the ceiling, windows, doors, floor trim, and any other woodwork or trim that is present. Use a high-quality nylon-polyester brush to "cut in" around the ceiling and trim work.

Using a moderately-loaded 3/8" roller, roll on the flat base coat. When rolling, finish each section with a smooth ceiling-to-floor stroke to help eliminate roller marks.

Per paint manufacturer's instructions, wait at least six hours before applying the necessary second coat. Allow the base coat to "cure" for at least 24 hours before painting the stripes.

STEP 2:

Taping off the Stripes

Here's where things get a little bit tricky, so hang with me.

• First, we need to calculate the total circumference of the room, or length of the wall, you will be striping.

For example, if you are striping a 12'x12' room, you have a grand total of 48' total wall length (12+12+12+12). Break this down to the number of inches (48x12) to get 576".

Now, we need to find a uniform size for the stripes you are going to paint. We can do that by finding your preferred size (let's say 6"), and dividing 576 by that number (576/6) which is 96.

Warning: This number must be whole and even, like 96 is. If the number is not whole, you will finish with a partial stripe, which will look bad. If the number is odd instead of even, the final two stripes will be the same color, instead of alternating.

• The second thing to keep in mind is this: the wider the stripes, the more casual the look. Narrower stripes have a more formal appearance.

Now start in the corner of your room behind the door and measure 6" out. Do this at the top middle and bottom of the wall.

This step can also be accomplished with a level and a pencil, by marking the top and bottom lines, then running a light pencil mark between them along a straight level. You choose which method you are comfortable with, as long as the lines are straight.

Once you've finished placing the chalk lines along the wall, begin taping that section off with 2" painter's tape. I like to tape each one as I move along the wall, this way I can fix any mistakes as I go.

Repeat steps 2 all the way around the room. As you round corners, continue as if the corner was not there. For example, if your stripes are 6" wide and you have started a stripe 2" from the corner, measure 4" in from the corner on the next wall to finish the stripe.

 

Keep in mind; you want to place the strip of tape outside the area to be painted. Your partner can help you keep this piece of tape aligned with the chalk line (one of you at the top of the wall, the other at the bottom).

Tip#1: Place your tape alongside your chalk line, not over top of it. Once your tape is applied, wipe away your chalk line and erase any pencil marks before painting the stripe.

TIP #2: Place a piece of tap in the stripes that you are not going to paint. This way you won't mistakenly paint the wrong Stripe"

Tip #3: To avoid bleeding through the tape, use a chip brush and lightly paint over the seams. This will keep the semi gloss paint from bleeding through.

 

STEP 3:

Painting Stripes

Once you've taped off one wall, go back the beginning of the wall and begin painting stripes within the taped-off areas. Use a brush to "cut-in" the top and bottom then fill in with the 4" roller.

After you've completed 4-5 of these stripes, go back and gently remove the tape from around these stripes while the paint is still wet. This will make them much easier to remove than waiting until the paint has dried.

SOME HELPFUL TIPS FOR PAINTING STRIPES

• One way to add interest to stripes sections is to add a sponged or ragged effect to the striped areas.
• Remember when painting stripes, wider stripes have a more casual appearance, while narrower stripes have a more formal look.
• Use only low-tack painter's tape. Masking tape will pull your new paint off the wall when it is removed.

I hope these instructions have been a help to you in your painting project. While painting stripes is not the simplest or easiest of painting projects, the finished results are well worth the time and effort. If you have any questions, please email me at cherylp@artzyfartzycreations.com. I would love to see your before and after pictures and post them on my website. Good luck!

 

---