Dazzling Faux Projects!
Autumn Leaves by Pro Faux

Faux-finishing is becoming an increasingly important profit center paint and decorating products retailers. If you want to sell faux, you need to know how to do faux. This sections features some exciting projects from many of the top faux-finishing and decorative painting firms in the industry. The variety of projects reflects a dazzling array of techniques and finishes. We hope you try some of them for yourselves. Enjoy the experience!

Autumn Leaves is an intriguing textural finish that is evocative of a beautiful Ohio day in late October. This finish is appropriate and durable enough for walls and furniture. The same materials can be used in creating other textures, too. You can vary the final coloration widely as you begin to experiment with different combinations of Pro-Venetian Bases, Pro-Faux Metallic Waxes and Pro Faux Stonewash Colors.

Application Method: Prime the wall surface with a red-orange Low Luster (Flat, Matte, Velvet, Eggshell or Satin) Acrylic Enamel.

Step 1: Skim coat the wall with a thin layer of ProFaux Red Base using a drywall knife and mud pan. Let dry.

Step 2: Lubricate the leaves. Dilute 2 ounces of BrushStuff with a quart of warm water and stir well. Submerge a handful of leaves into the solution. Remove leaves from the solution and set aside on a stack of paper towel to drain.

Step 3 (Leaf Impressions): Use 6 inch glue steel spatula to cross hatch the Red Base to a small wall section. Allow this to "set up" to two to five minutes. Press a leaf into the wet surface using the 4-inch spatula the flatten out the leaf. Lift the leaf out by the stem. Flip over and reposition it to make a similar impression nearby. Rotate the position of the leaves so that the overall pattern does not look too repetitious. Allow final texture to dry several hours to overnight.
Tips: For more depth, immediately after flattening the leaf with the 4-inch Spatula, apply a small amount of Red Base over the edges of the leaf before lifting in out of the wet Red Base. the leaf impression will appear to be deeper and well defined. work on one square foot at a time, gradually increasing the working area with practice. NOTE: If Red Base is too wet, the leaves will suction to the Red Base, creating "peaks" rather than a crisp veining pattern.

Step 4 (Adding Color): Applying ProFaux Metallic/Iridescent Acrylic Waxes - Use a dampened cellulose sponge to apply Pro Faux Metallic Waxes. Apply two or three very thin coats of ProFaux Copper Metallic Wax; apply in small swirl pattern like waxing a car. rinse sponge occasionally in plain water to freshen and between different wax colors. Use ProFaux Russet Iridescent Wax to accent over the Copper Metallic Wax. Finally, highlight overall pattern with hits of ProFaux Bright Gold Metallic Wax. Let dry 20-30 minutes.

Step 5 (Toning with ProFaux Stonewash Powders): Use 2 tablespoons of ProFaux Stonewash Pigment - Black and 3 tablespoons of ProFaux Stonewash Pigment - Brown Oxide with 2 cups of water. Stir well. sue a cellulose sponge to apply this watery mixture to Red Base texture in short random pattern, rather than in swirls. Allow to dry. With a fresh sponge, lightly remove excess color to accentuate leaf pattern. Stand back and evaluate overall effect. You can selectively add or subtract color by dabbing or rubbing carefully as ProFaux Powder Pigments contains no binders.

Step 6 (Protective Topcoat): When satisfied with overall effect, you must protect the Stonewash colors with either ProFaux Acrylic Clear Satin Wax or a water-based varnish. To apply the Clear Satin Wax over Stonewash colors, extreme delicacy is in order. Take a small amount of the Satin Wax on a clean damp sponge. On a small plastic plate, work the Satin Wax into the sponge. With only the weight of the sponge, very gently swirl the Satin Wax onto the highest parts of the wall texture. Repeat, using very little pressure as too much will immediately take away the dry Stonewash color. the Satin Wax dries almost on contact when applied thinly. This will allow you to apply a second or third coat within minutes. Each application can be applied with slightly more pressure than the last. The varying sheen and wonderful feels of Pro Faux's Satin Wax will make it worth the effort to apply several thin layers to your project. Alternatively, spray or roll a satin water-based varnish to "lock up" the Stonewash color. Either method of protection will liven up your Autumn Leaves Finish by bringing out the luster of the ProFaux Metallic Wax colors and the warmth of the ProFaux Red Base.

Variations on a theme: Create subtle color variations by experimenting with various colorants and concentrations.

Drying Time: Allow two hours to overnight, depending on film thickness.

Application: Work in thin layers for more flexibility. thick layers for more flexibility. Thick applications may cause cracking but does not affect adhesion.

Cleanup and disposal: Use hot water for application equipment. Do not dispose of any [product in sewers, waterways or municipal garbage. Allow waste product to harden before disposal. If liquid disposal is necessary, contact your local municipality or paint store for instructions.

ProFaux of Akron, Ohio, is guided by the talented John Catalanotto and Greg Frohnapfel, who have built the company into an industry leading in hands-on workshops and revolutionary faux products.