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Dimensional Stenciling

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-718 -- More Projects »
PHOTO

Figure A
Painting guru Brian Santos tells how to apply 3-D stenciling (figure A) to give your walls depth.

3-D Stencil

stencil pattern, either hand-drawn or store-bought
transparency sheet
scissors
spray mount
matte knife
sheet of neoprene*
shallow tub of water (like a paint tray)
dry cloth
texturing compound
putty knife
small squeegee
kitchen sponge, cut into triangles
hair clips
paint
wet sponge for cleanup

* neoprene--a synthetic rubber produced by polymerization of chloroprene and used in weather-resistant products, adhesives, shoe soles, paints and rocket fuels

Steps:


  1. Draw or trace desired pattern onto the transparency sheet and cut out the pattern.

  2. To make the stencil, spray mount the patterned transparency onto a sheet of neoprene and use the matte knife to cut the pattern through.
PHOTO

Figure B
  • Remove the cutout pieces (figure B). See Tips below for a use for these.

  • Dip the stencil into the water and place the neoprene side on the work surface. The water adheres the stencil to the wall until you're ready to remove it. Wipe off excess water with a dry cloth.
    • PHOTO

    Figure C
  • Apply a heavy layer of texturing compound with the putty knife (figure C), pressing the compound into the pattern. Scrape off the excess with squeegee.

  • Grip a sponge triangle with a hair clip, dip the sponge into paint.

  • Highlight with a second color to create depth. (The guest highlighted red apples with a light touch of yellow.)

  • Remove the stencil pattern and allow to dry.

    Alternative Method

    Steps:


    1. Spray mount a store-bought stencil to the wall or other work surface and rub the cap to the spray mount can over the stencil to smooth it out.
    • PHOTO

    Figure D
  • Spread on joint compound, then, use a putty knife to either scrape the compound off to create variations in depth or lightly smooth the compound over the pattern for an even application (figure D).

  • Now you can paint the compound, wet or dry, using the sponging technique described above.

    Tips


    • If you need to remove these stencils after they've dried, be sure to wash them off with a 50-50 mix of ammonia and water.

    • When the stenciling project is complete, seal the color with hair spray, or spray it with polyurethane for a more permanent finish.
    • PHOTO

    Figure E
  • Make a wall stamp by gluing cutout pieces of neoprene to a matching cutout from a foam knee cushion (figure E).
    • Resources
    Ortho's All About Painting and Wallpapering
    by Brian Santos
    Ortho Books, 2002
    Order this title from Amazon.com.

    Guests
    Brian Santos
    Wallpaper Expert, "The Wall Wizard"
    Website: www.thewizardsworkshop.com
    Also in this Episode
    Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-718
    •Doggie Dishes
    •Dimensional Stenciling
    •Pruning
    •Smart Solution of the Day
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