Mastering
the technique

Smooshing

Smooshing creates subtle veins similar to leather or marble by covering wet glaze mixture with a plastic sheet and then removing it.

Several people can work on the project at the same time, since you cannot tell the difference between the work of different people.

First, decide on a colour scheme - base color and glaze color.

Sico colour references 6073-73 - Navajo Earth 6073-63 - Acoma Stone

MATERIALS REQUIRED

• Drop cloth to cover the entire floor area
   
• Thin, clear plastic 1mm thick, enough to cover all your walls. Different thicknesses of plastic create different effects. The thinner the plastic, the softer the effect.
   
• Sico latex paint (base color)
   
• Sico latex glaze
   
• Sico latex paint (to mix with the glaze)
   
• Latex gloves, stir stick, roller and tray, measuring bucket, painter’s tape to cover the trim and base board if they are not to be painted

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cover floor with the drop cloth.Cover trim and base board with painter’s tape.
    
2. Paint all the walls with the base color. Follow the drying time instructions on the label.
    
3. Cut plastic sheet 1' larger than the wall. If wall is 8'x11', cut plastic 9'x12'.
    
4. Mix the glaze mixture - 1 part paint to 5 parts glaze. Mix enough glaze mixture for the entire project.
    
5. Paint one wall with the glaze mixture. 6 While the glaze mixture is still wet, cover the wall with the plastic sheet.
    
6. Press against plastic with the palms of your hands to move the air bubbles around. You can see the effect and create the veined look through the plastic.
    
7. Work quickly. When you are happy with the effect, remove the plastic.
    
8. Paint the next wall with the glaze mixture. Repeat steps 6-8.