How to Paint a Brushed Copper Metallic Faux Finish
Add Rich Beautiful Color and Texture to Your Home
summary: If you're planning to do a paint project with a metallic paint , this tutorial shows
how to do a brushed metallic copper paint on an imperfect smooth surface.
how to do a brushed metallic copper paint on an imperfect smooth surface.
There are several different techniques for applying Copper Metallic paint. My preferred technique is an arcing random brush stroke instead of using a random pattern with a roller, or a vertical/horizontal criss cross pattern with a brush. Each technique can be beautiful, but I prefer this effect.
The texture of the surface will change the look entirely. I once painted Copper Metallic on an orange peel texture, and it looked kind of muddy. I prefer the Imperfect Smooth texture because it allows the paint to reflect light from the subtle texture of the surface and the brush strokes.
I was recently asked to paint a Copper Metallic ceiling in a dining room. I had done walls before, and they were surprising beautiful, so I was excited to paint a ceiling because of how the light would enhance an otherwise standard room. However, this was an older home with orange peel texture on the walls and ceiling. So the first challenge was to create an Imperfect Smooth texture on the area to be painted. For a complete tutorial on that technique and the materials required, please read, "How To Create An Imperfect Smooth Texture and Prepare Your Orange-Peel Textured Walls For A Faux Finish ".
The texture of the surface will change the look entirely. I once painted Copper Metallic on an orange peel texture, and it looked kind of muddy. I prefer the Imperfect Smooth texture because it allows the paint to reflect light from the subtle texture of the surface and the brush strokes.
I was recently asked to paint a Copper Metallic ceiling in a dining room. I had done walls before, and they were surprising beautiful, so I was excited to paint a ceiling because of how the light would enhance an otherwise standard room. However, this was an older home with orange peel texture on the walls and ceiling. So the first challenge was to create an Imperfect Smooth texture on the area to be painted. For a complete tutorial on that technique and the materials required, please read, "How To Create An Imperfect Smooth Texture and Prepare Your Orange-Peel Textured Walls For A Faux Finish ".
Materials For The Copper Metallic Painting:
The quantity of paint is dependant on the square footage of the area being painted. The manufacturer recommends 300-400 square feet per gallon, however, I like to always have more than enough in case of touch up work required at a later date. Therefore, I estimate it expecting it to cover 300 square feet.
- Rust red interior latex paint, to be used as a base coat. (This can be an inexpensive interior paint.)
- Copper metallic paint. This project used Behr brand paint, not copper glaze.
- One angle sash paint brush for latex paint.
- One roller with a latex roller sleeve. (If you're doing a ceiling, it helps to have a 4' extension pole).
- One roller tray. (I like using tray sleeves, but you can clean the tray and reuse with different paints).
- Cloth drops to cover the floor around the walls in the room.
- Plastic sheeting to cover the center of the room.
- Polished cotton rags. I buy a bag of rags because I can always use them.
- A 4' tall folding ladder for painting cut-ins that may be out of reach.
- Plastic trash bags. Depending on the size of the area you may need several.
The Technique
The brush technique looks a lot like a block of machined metal. In order to achieve this effect, think of painting a clock face. The brush strokes will follow opposing numbers on the clock.
For example; start at the 12 o'clock position and in an arcing stroke go to the 5 o'clock position, then with the backstroke go to the 9 o'clock position, then with a forward stroke go to the three, then 11, then 8, etc. until the entire area is painted. Basically use an arcing stroke between two opposing numbers, brushing back and forth with the brush. I twist my wrist clockwise and counterclockwise as I use this technique until the whole clock face area is filled. Then I continue into the next section.
This is a bit complicated to understand, so to make it easier, just make sure your strokes are random, overlapping, and with with each stroke arcing. I like to see the angled edge of the brush in random locations. You can see the results below.
For example; start at the 12 o'clock position and in an arcing stroke go to the 5 o'clock position, then with the backstroke go to the 9 o'clock position, then with a forward stroke go to the three, then 11, then 8, etc. until the entire area is painted. Basically use an arcing stroke between two opposing numbers, brushing back and forth with the brush. I twist my wrist clockwise and counterclockwise as I use this technique until the whole clock face area is filled. Then I continue into the next section.
This is a bit complicated to understand, so to make it easier, just make sure your strokes are random, overlapping, and with with each stroke arcing. I like to see the angled edge of the brush in random locations. You can see the results below.
The Process
Tape and paper areas you want to protect from paint. Like baseboards and connecting walls. Use cloth drops and plastic sheeting to cover flooring and any furniture that needs to stay in the room. Allow each coat of paint to dry between coats, approximately 1 hour in warmer conditions.
Get a rag wet and put it on the ladder so you can easily find the rag to clean up any drips. Place the ladder in the corner you plan to start from. The Rust Red latex interior paint is the undercoat. This does not require the same brush technique as the metallic paint. Cut-in the Rust Red latex interior paint, meaning paint the outer edges of the area you will paint with a roller. Once you finish the cut-ins, set-up the roller tray and roller to roll the larger area.
The rust color undercoat enhances the richness of the Copper Metallic. The Rust Red can be an inexpensive interior paint because it will be covered and sealed by the Copper Metallic paint. In some cases you may need to do 2 coats of Rust Red to cover the original color. If you're using only one brush, clean your paint brush when you're done with the red paint so you can use the same brush to paint the Copper Metallic. When the rust red paint is dry you can proceed to paint two coats of Copper Metallic paint with the angle paint brush.
Start the copper metallic painting with the angle brush in one corner and work your way out over the surface toward the opposite corner. As you work out of the corner you will paint from one wall edge to the other. This will create what is called a wet edge. That is the wet paint that you just painted. Remember to work by painting on the wet edge as you work your way over the surface. With this process you will find yourself working your way from one wall, all the way over to the other wall, and back again. Paint as much area as you can reach while you're doing this. If the painted edge is dry or tacky, then it may come off with the brush. In this case you will be better off stopping and waiting for the paint to dry before proceeding. There is a lot of area to cover with a brush, but you may be surprised at how quickly it goes. Metallic paint covers more area than standard latex paint. Once you're done with the first coat wait for approximately one hour before starting the second coat. Use the same process on the second coat. You will find that the second coat really adds a lot of shine, depth, and texture to the first coat.
Get a rag wet and put it on the ladder so you can easily find the rag to clean up any drips. Place the ladder in the corner you plan to start from. The Rust Red latex interior paint is the undercoat. This does not require the same brush technique as the metallic paint. Cut-in the Rust Red latex interior paint, meaning paint the outer edges of the area you will paint with a roller. Once you finish the cut-ins, set-up the roller tray and roller to roll the larger area.
The rust color undercoat enhances the richness of the Copper Metallic. The Rust Red can be an inexpensive interior paint because it will be covered and sealed by the Copper Metallic paint. In some cases you may need to do 2 coats of Rust Red to cover the original color. If you're using only one brush, clean your paint brush when you're done with the red paint so you can use the same brush to paint the Copper Metallic. When the rust red paint is dry you can proceed to paint two coats of Copper Metallic paint with the angle paint brush.
Start the copper metallic painting with the angle brush in one corner and work your way out over the surface toward the opposite corner. As you work out of the corner you will paint from one wall edge to the other. This will create what is called a wet edge. That is the wet paint that you just painted. Remember to work by painting on the wet edge as you work your way over the surface. With this process you will find yourself working your way from one wall, all the way over to the other wall, and back again. Paint as much area as you can reach while you're doing this. If the painted edge is dry or tacky, then it may come off with the brush. In this case you will be better off stopping and waiting for the paint to dry before proceeding. There is a lot of area to cover with a brush, but you may be surprised at how quickly it goes. Metallic paint covers more area than standard latex paint. Once you're done with the first coat wait for approximately one hour before starting the second coat. Use the same process on the second coat. You will find that the second coat really adds a lot of shine, depth, and texture to the first coat.
After the second coat you can immediately start removing the tape. I find it helps to use a cutting tool to cut along the edge of the tape as I remove it. Once the tape is removed you can collect your drops and plastic sheeting. Clean your tools when done so they can be ready for your next project at the same time that you are. Congratulations on doing your first metallic faux finish! I hope you enjoy it for years to come!