Painting metallic gold walls can transform a room and add a touch of glamour. While the project may seem daunting, with the right preparation and techniques, you can create a stunning gold wall paint finish. In this article, we will walk through the complete process, from choosing the right gold paint to applying your topcoat. We will also provide tips for getting a flawless metallic finish. With a little time and effort, you can have beautiful gold walls that make a bold statement.
Choosing the Right Metallic Gold Paint
The first step is selecting the right metallic gold paint for your walls. Here are the key factors to consider:
– Sheen Level – Metallic paints come in a variety of sheens from satin to high gloss. High gloss will give you the most reflective, mirror-like finish. Satin is more subtle but still gives a metallic shine. Consider the look you want and your lighting.
– Base Options – You can find metallic paints in oil-based, water-based acrylic, or latex paint. Oil-based provides the most vivid metallic effect but requires mineral spirits for cleanup. Acrylic or latex is easier to work with and clean up with just soap and water.
– Shade of Gold – Metallic gold paint comes in many shades from soft champagne gold to bold brass. Pick a tone that complements your overall room decor. Brighter gold works well in modern spaces while softer natural gold is suited for traditional rooms.
– Brand Quality – Higher end brands like Rust-Oleum, Krylon, or Modern Masters are known for their metallic paint quality. Make sure to choose a top-rated brand for best results.
Once you settle on the ideal metallic gold paint for your project, you’ll need prepare your walls properly for application.
Preparing Walls for Metallic Paint
Prepping your walls is one of the most important steps before painting metallic gold. Here is how to prepare:
– Repair Any Imperfections – Fill any holes, cracks or damages in your walls with spackle. Sand smooth once dry.
– Clean Surfaces – Wipe down walls to remove any dirt, grease or residue. Cleaning provides the best painting surface.
– Sand Glossy Areas – Use 120-150 grit sandpaper to scuff up any glossy walls or trim. This helps the paint adhere properly.
– Prime Walls – Apply a high bond latex or oil-based primer to walls and let fully dry. Priming creates a uniform surface for metallic paint.
– Apply Base Coat – Metallic paint works best over a colored base coat rather than directly to primer. Apply one coat of a coordinating paint color like beige or taupe.
With properly prepped and primed walls, you’re ready to start applying your metallic gold paint.
Applying Metallic Gold Paint
Here are some key tips for flawlessly painting metallic gold walls:
– Use Quality Roller – Choose a 1/4″ nap roller made for smooth surfaces. You want a roller that won’t shed lint or fibers.
– Work in Sections – Paint 3-4 foot wall sections starting from a corner. Maintain wet edge as you go by working in an “N” shape.
– Maintain a Wet Edge – Don’t let edges dry before rolling or you will get lap marks. Keep the area you are painting wet.
– Roll Vertically – Roll up and down in straight vertical strokes from floor to ceiling. This prevents drips.
– Apply Thin Coats – Metallic paint is thin so you only need one or two coats. Applying too much causes dripping and uneven finish.
– Let First Coat Dry – Give the first coat 2-4 hours to fully dry before applying a second optional coat for more intensity.
– Remove Roller Lines – Lightly go over entire wall with roller vertically to get rid of any lines once dry.
– Work Quickly – Have all your materials ready because metallic paint dries fast. Work in small sections to prevent lap marks.
Take your time with each coat and follow these tips for a flawlessly smooth, professional metallic gold wall finish.
Achieving an Even Metallic Finish
Achieving a perfect smooth metallic effect takes some finesse. Here are some key pointers:
– Maintain Wet Edges – Carefully blend where two wet edges meet before drying to prevent lap marks.
– Roll Lighter in Corners – Roll corners and edges with less pressure to prevent build up and drips.
– Roll from Unpainted to Painted – When overlapping, roll from areas with less paint onto areas with more wet paint to avoid streaking.
– Fix Lap Marks – If lap marks occur, immediately smooth them out by gently rerolling up and down over the area before drying.
– Check Lighting – View your paint job under both natural and artificial lighting to catch any unevenness.
– Apply Thin and Even – Heavily rolling or overbrushing metallic paint will lead to brushstrokes and an uneven finish.
– Be Patient Between Coats – Give each coat time to fully dry before adding another or you may lift or smear the finish.
With some care and finesse, you can achieve a mirror-like metallic gold finish on your accent wall.
Sealing and Protecting Metallic Painted Walls
Once your paint project is complete, you’ll need to properly seal and protect those beautiful gold walls:
– Cure Time – Let metallic paint cure for 15-30 days before top coating or applying polyurethane. This prevents bubbling.
– Clean Surface – Wipe away all dust before sealing so nothing gets trapped under the topcoat. Tack cloth works great.
– Apply Protective Topcoat – Use a water-based acrylic topcoat like polycrylic to seal and protect the finish. 2-3 thin coats is ideal.
– Use Brush or Foam Roller – Carefully apply topcoat with a quality synthetic bristle brush or 1/4″ foam roller to avoid disturbing paint.
– Let Dry Between Coats – Allow 2-4 hours of dry time between topcoat layers. Rushing this risks ruining the metallic effect.
– Avoid Heat and Moisture – Prevent heat damage by not hanging anything on your metallic walls. Also avoid steam from showers.
– Clean Gently – Use only a soft microfiber cloth with mild soap and water to gently clean your painted gold walls when needed.
Sealing in your hard work will keep those metallic walls shining for many years. With the right products and techniques, you can maintain the brilliant gold finish.
Troubleshooting Metallic Paint Problems
When working with specialty metallic paints, you may encounter some common problems. Here are some remedies:
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Streaking | Applying too much paint or overlapping strokes. | Roll lighter and in one direction. Feather edges when overlapping. |
| Blotchiness | Applying paint too heavily. | Roll lightly using thin, even coats. |
| Bubbling | Not allowing proper cure time before topcoating. | Let paint cure 15-30 days before applying polyurethane. |
| Lifting | Topcoating too soon before paint has fully dried. | Allow each coat to dry 2-4 hours before recoating. |
| Lap Marks | Allowing edges to dry before overlapping. | Maintain wet edge and immediately blend overlap. |
With careful application and patience during the process, you can avoid these common metallic paint frustrations. Remember to work in small sections, apply thin coats, and maintain wet edges for best results.
Conclusion
Painting dazzling metallic gold walls definitely takes some time, effort and patience. But with the right preparation, application techniques and quality products, you can achieve gorgeous professional results. The beauty of the radiant golden finish will be well worth the extra care. Just be sure to properly prime walls, work in sections using thin coats, maintain wet edges, and seal with a protective topcoat. Follow these tips and you’ll have striking metallic gold walls that add a glamorous, contemporary touch to your space. So grab your paint supplies and get ready to bring some golden shimmer to your room!