Faux Masters Studio Blog

The kind of surface you will be working on will affect the outcome of your finish! In addition, a surface that is not well prepared will also affect how successful your finish is achieved.

Always make a sample of your intended finish on the same or similar substrate for best results.

This section will cover:

SURFACE SUBSTRATES
PATCHING / FIXING / NEW SURFACES
PRIMING
PAINTING
TEXTURED SURFACES

SURFACE SUBSTRATES

Ceramic / Tile / Glass – Clean, rinse and dry surface to remove any dirt or grease. Use Faux Effects Prime Etch over the surface to prepare the surface for product application. Read product information for application method.

Concrete – Clean, rinse and dry surface to remove any dirt or grease. Use a strong paint etch or acid etch available from your hardware store to open the pours of the concrete to be able to accept new product applications (be careful with these and read all instructions; use protection). Always complete a moisture test rior to applying any product.

Drywall – Remove the dust! It’s very important to vacuum up the dust left behind on the wall and surrounding surfaces by drywall installation. This dust may not affect the contractors requirements of blowing paint onto new walls, but it will be a detriment to your new product application. As these layers begin to dry they will pull upon that dust riddled surface. Always prime new drywall.

Pre-painted – Most of these surfaces only require a good dusting. Unless this surface is dirty:

• Always at lease dust your wall surfaces before applying a new primer or paint.
• Applying new product over a dirty surface may cause adhesion problems especially over kitchen ranges as the grease and oil from cooking will deposit above and onto the wall and cabinet surfaces.  If there is grease or oil present, use a citrus-based cleanser, or organic cleanser to remove this oily residue before application of your product. Be sure to RINSE WELL with water. There are also “no rinse paint etching” products that can be used as well, but read the label, some are too strong and could soften all the way down to the substrate.
• NEVER USE ammonia-based cleaning products on areas where you wish to paint as this will interfere with the chemistry of your product, even after the product is dry.

Wood, raw – Sand until smooth to the touch and dust off. If working on raw oak or mahogany and you are applying a painted layer, you will NEED TO PRIME! See “Tips & Tricks in Wood Finishing.”

Wood, pre-sealed or painted – Clean, rinse and dry surface to remove any dirt or grease. Also, see above under Pre-painted and “Tips & Tricks in Wood Finishing.”

PATCHING / FIXING / NEW SURFACES

When holes are filled with hot plaster (wall patch), or spackles, these areas become more absorbent and will require a primer! In addition to this, any unwanted texture created from this “patch” will sometimes reveal itself in your new finish so you may need to sand. A new surface or wall created with drywall will also require a good water based primer (NOT “PVC Primer”- Polyvinylaccetate!!! The word “vinyl” should tell you that bonding to this product will be very difficult).

PRIMING

Always prime unknown surfaces with a good water-based primer. If you don’t know the history of your receiving surface and don’t prime, you may be taking a chance on your finish coming off the surface as it begins to dry. Adhesion issues, uneven absorption, or certain stains or colors will interfere with new product applications. See “Do I have to prime?” under 25 most FAQ.

PAINTING

When applying a fresh coat of paint, the manor in which you apply your product may become evident in your finishing process. Generally, when preparing your surface for textures, you can cut and roll as normal, but when you need to glaze, the brush marks from cutting will be revealed. Instead, to ensure good results with all finishes, use a roller that has the nap wrapped around the edge of the roller to create the same painted technique over the entire surface.

TEXTURED SURFACES

Some surfaces have an existing texture or an applied texture to them like “orange peel,” or “knock down.” These kinds of surfaces may need to be “minimized” before the application of your product to ensure this texture doesn’t interfere with your finish. With orange peel or knock down surfaces, you will need to first apply 1 or 2 skim coats of one of our products to help fill in or minimize this unwanted texture (see “Product Application” – “Plaster & Texture Techniques” & “Troubleshooting – product” – “Unwanted texture”).

Wood - Grain in wood, or brush marks from a previously painted surface may also interfere with your finish. After you have checked if the surface has a seal coat (see “Product Application” – “Tips & Tricks in Wood Finishing”), you can sand off most of the unwanted texture or brush marks, then depending on your desired finish, apply SetCoat in multiple layers (sanding in-between) to minimize this unwanted texture. (See “Troubleshooting – product” – “Unwanted texture”).

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