The Smoke Graining Process

Applying the Base Coat

• The first step to achieving a smoke graining effect is applying an even base coat. Preparing the surface of the wall or piece of furniture is very important. Fill the holes with spackle and allow it to dry for at least a day. Sand the area to even out the surface and wipe the area with a clean, damp rag to remove any loose fibers. Next, apply paint, either with long, even brush strokes or using a roller. Some surfaces may require two base coats if there is a particularly dark color already on the surface.

Applying the Glaze

• A correctly applied glaze protects the paint from peeling and ensures the smoke graining effect will last as long possible before needing to be repainted. Oil-based glazes provide the best finish, particularly if the decorator used a latex paint for the base-coat. Most home stores sell glazes, but many decorators choose to make their own by taking the leftover paint from the base-coat and adding boiled linseed oil, turpentine, and paint drier.

The Smoke Graining Glaze

• To achieve the smoke glaze, simply hold a burning candle up to the wet glaze and slowly but carefully, pass it over the painted area. The soot from the candle smoke sticks to the wet glaze, leaving dark swirls and tendrils all over the surface. The coverage doesn't need be too uniform; concentrating on only one part of the surface produces interesting effects, as does creating a pattern with the soot. Use extreme caution performing this technique as the candle flame must not come in contact with the paint, especially if it's oil-based.

Other Effects with Wet Glaze

• It's possible to experiment with other graining techniques alongside the smoke graining process. Before passing a candle over the wet glaze for the smoke effect, some designers apply a dry brush to the surface to create a streaky, distressed look to the paint. Another technique is to mix vinegar with the glaze and then press sea shells to the surface. The vinegar reacts with the oil in the glaze, and the shells create a pattern of overlapping fans.