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How to Paint a Faux Stone Wall

Step 1 - Supplies Checklist          

• 1. Drywall Compound
• 2. Latex-based paint
• 3. Two or three Faux Stone Glazes
• 4. Paint brushes
• 5. Painter's tape
• 6. Drop cloths
• 7. Flat trowel
• 8. Foam brush
• 9. Rags

Step 2 - Prepping the Area You Want to Paint    

1. Make sure you have removed any light fixtures, wall lamps, or other things that are hanging or have been screwed into your wall.
   
   
2. Tape around the border of your area, being careful not to tape over areas that you will be painting.
   
   
3. Lay your drop cloths and remove all the furniture from the room. If you can't do that, then just push it far out of the way of the wall.

Step 3 - Applying Wall Compound

• 1. Apply the wall compound to the wall in a layer that is about ¼ in. thick. You don't need to worry about smoothing any of it out, as you will texture it later.

Step 4 - Texturing

• 1. To add the stone texture, place the trowel flat against the wall compound and pull away, then lightly smooth over the peaks and repeat until the entire wall is textured.
  
  
• 2. Allow the compound to dry for 24-48 hours.

Step 5 -Painting

• 1. Apply the base coat to the wall and let it dry completely before moving on.
  
  
• 2. If you want the real look of stones and not just a stone texture, then tape the joints with ½ in. thick painter's tape.

Step 6 - Glazing

• 1. If you simply want the texture of stone, just liberally apply a single color of glaze with either a cloth or a sponge. Immediately wipe off the excess glaze and let the rest of it settle into the compound.
  
  
• 2. If you want the look of actual stone, then work one stone at a time and apply the darker glaze first, followed by the lighter colors. Not only does this give the wall a stone look, it also provides ample depth.
  
  
• 3. Remove the tape, and work the lightest glaze over the joints your painter's tape created.