Using Metallic Paints

Posted by Kristin Abraham Dec 26, 2007

Modern Masters is a brand that I'm very familiar with and that I'd recommend for do-it-yourself faux finishers as well as professionals. Their extensive line is very easy to use and the results are fabulous.

I recently finished a tray ceiling in their Gold Rush color and found it very easy to use and the final product was quite attractive. My regular paint supplier told me how one client of theirs had an entire dining room finished in a light pink, pearly color. Apparently, it was just stunning, but very pricey.

Although, I'm sure the entire room was amazing, I'd recommend using the metallic paints for smaller areas, accents, or even as a faux finish over a basecoat.

The key to the ease of using the Modern Masters metallic paints is that they're a laytex paint. That means they clean up just as easily as any other laytex, they dry just as quickly, and they don't smell either.

If you're going to do a large area, Modern Masters recommends you use their Extender. This product lets you back roll the product before it dries and gives you a little more "wet" painting time so you don't have to worry about stop and start lines. If you're doing a colorwash technique you'll definitely need an extender of some type, but if you're going to be painting a small area, like crown moulding or trim you won't need it, and if you're doing a solid area, like a tray ceiling, it would be better to apply several coats of paint, rather than stretching one or two with an extender.