Basic Combed finish

sonol'artista · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:01 pm Post subject: Basic Combed finish

I am currently working on a mantle using the classic technique of combing. This is still a versatile look and would be a great addition to your portfolio.

I first base coated the surface, let dry , and then painted a streaky, random pattern of umbers and ochres.

Let that dry overnight and then I sealed with two coats of shellac.
I let that dry an hour and then made a custom glaze of a black/brown for my combing.

I used those large rubber combs from England as they do not scratch the finish but give a great clean line.

Let dry, seal and wax, if you like. (could even tint the wax for an aged look)

Jeremy · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 567 Location: Scotland

I'm sure this will be helpfull for alot of people, the rubber combs are like you say very clean cutting , never easy also matching other work , its a big problem i have at the moment with a graining job in a church that was done possibly three hundred years ago , i will post some pics sometime !

lynne · Joined: 27 Jan 2007 Posts: 4970 Location: san francisco

cool effect Theresa~

cleta · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3239 Location: Chapel Hill, NC

oooh - neat! I've used the metal combs before...don't much care for them, so good to know about the rubber combs. Where did you get them, T?

sonol'artista · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:15 am Post subject:

Try this source Cleta...if nothing else but to drool over their supplies! Smile

http://www.stonehouses.co.uk/product_list.php?id=529

I use the orange combs, but I also found some on amazon.

Theresa

Katie Fitz · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 651 Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Thanks for sharing, Theresa. Smile

sonol'artista · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:49 pm Post subject:

Martha Stewart has some grey rubber combs that look very close to the orange ones from England. I saw them in Michael's today.

http://michaels.com/Tools/products-craftpainting-tools,default,sc.html

shainakhan · Joined: 16 Nov 2011 Posts: 23 Location: Bahrain

You did awesome work .. no doubt.. and yes thanks for sharing combs pics

1st year apprentice · Joined: 22 Jan 2010 Posts: 2050 Location: Scotland

Thanks for posting. this procedur part of my study just now . I would like to know more about th wax finnishing and ageing formula and coulors, if poss anybody?

Brian

JoAnn · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 70

Theresa,
I love the technique you did. I am going to give that one a go real soon. Mayge in the next few days.
I also recently did a combed project. This one a sofa table for an interior designer per his specs. Beige over solid ivory base.
I had the triangular tool by symphony,( I can't tell if the orange tool is the same brand/size but it looks to be.) but pattern size was just a bit smaller than I wished it to be. I found the Martha Stewart tool to have just the right size.

sonol'artista · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 8:49 pm Post subject:

Brian,

All of the details are spelled out in the original post . The only thing not explained in detail would be the wax. I used a wax made by Vella, just because I had it on hand. It was a mahogany color so had a brown tint to it. You could use any furniture wax you have available.

Theresa