How to Paint on Faux Stone Exteriors
Learning how to paint faux stone exteriors on your home is a rather simple process that requires time to create perfection. This is done by selecting a base coat and one to three top coats of exterior paint. The base coat should be a lighter color, either a white or soft tan, which will give the appearance of concrete between the stone patterns. Consider walking around the neighborhood to study the different designs that are created on stone exteriors, or take a walk in the park to study different stones and their textures. This will give you a better grasp on color blending and selection. Most stone exteriors contain stones of similar colors, but they may contain a couple of accent colored stones.
The first thing you will need to do is cover the exterior area with the base coat. Apply one to two layers to ensure the entire exterior is covered, and none of the old color shows through. You may even consider adding a small amount of clay or sand to the base coat in order to create additional texture on the exterior surface. After this color dries, it is now time to create the faux stone design.
Begin the stone design process by penciling stone shapes onto a three feet by six feet area. This will give you an idea of the size in order to make adjustments before you begin painting. If you are satisfied with the size and appearance, begin adding the painted stones.
To achieve the best stone appearance, use a sponge that contains a fair amount of pours. This will create texture in the design and emphasize the stone pattern. Remember that stones are a naturally formed element in nature; because of this no two stones are alike. Gently sponge on each stone in a circular motion; each stone should cover a fair amount of the exterior surface. If the stones are too small, the surface can look extremely busy and can appear unattractive. In general, on a smaller exterior you will want these stones to be around one foot by one foot in size. If the exterior is a larger size, it is perfectly acceptable to make them larger.
You will want to create stones in a variety of shapes and sizes. Be sure to allow some of the base color to remain uncovered, allowing it to separate each stone. Alternate each color as you go, and consider blending both colors into a few selected stones. This will create unity in the design and produce a more natural stone appearance.
Take your time. The more attention you put into each individual stone, the better it will look. This process may take an extensive amount of time, but it will create a breathtaking exterior that will make the time seem well worth it.
