How to create a loft wall with Mineral Finish yourself, step by step

Step 1: Prepare the wall and choose a primer for its age

A beautiful wall starts with a clean one. It is like putting make-up on an unwashed face: however you do it, it won't last.

New concrete walls: let the render cure for at least 1 month, brush off dust and oil marks, then apply 1 coat of water-based Voqe Primer new concrete.

Old concrete walls: the wall must be free of dust and grease, and any flaking old paint scraped off first. If there is algae or mould, wash it with a fungicide, rinse with water and let it dry, then apply 1 coat of Voqe Primer old concrete.

Step 2: Gather your kit, lay dust sheets and stir

Lay your dust sheets down properly and keep both tins and the colour card within reach. Your main tool is a large paintbrush. A roller or sponge also works, but a brush leaves the clearest, most natural marks.

Stir the paint well every time before use. If it is too thick, you can add 5–10% clean water, a little at a time. Don't tip it all in at once as if you were topping up a pot of soup.

• One set of Mineral Finish (Light Shade and Shadow Shade)
• The right primer for your wall
• A large brush, roller or sponge
• Dust sheets, masking tape and clean water

Step 3: The two-tone criss-cross technique for a loft wall

This is the heart of the job. A loft finish with real depth does not come from painting it smooth; it comes from layering the light and shadow tones in different directions.

Mineral Finish takes 2 coats in total. Wait until the previous coat is dry enough to recoat, about 1–2 hours; it is touch dry in 20–30 minutes. These times are measured at 21–27 degrees and 50% humidity, so on very humid days you may need to wait longer.

• Load the large brush just enough that it doesn't drip
• Apply the first coat loosely; there is no need to reach every corner
• Apply the next coat criss-crossing the first, alternating the two tones
• Blend the brush marks together so no single spot stands out too much
• Finish with thin, light, quick brushstrokes

Step 4: Seal with Sealer or Wax

For exterior walls or spots that catch splashes, use Voqe Mineral Sealer, a clear satin coat. It is ready to use with no mixing; apply it with a roller, brush or sponge. It goes on milky white and dries clear. It is touch dry in 15–30 minutes, can be recoated after 1 hour and is fully dry in 8 hours.

For interior walls that get touched often, such as a hallway or the wall beside the dining table, use Voqe Mineral Wax, a clear semi-gloss coat. It can be buffed to a higher sheen and makes marks easier to wipe off. It is for interior use only.

How much to buy: worked examples

Mineral Finish covers about 8–12 sq m per litre per coat, depending on the surface and the hand applying it, and it needs 2 coats.

For example, a wall behind the bed 3 metres wide and 2.5 metres high is 7.5 sq m. Two coats make 15 sq m, which takes about 1.3–1.9 litres. Set 2QT, at ฿1,180, suits a wall this size.

A living-room wall 4 metres wide and 2.7 metres high is 10.8 sq m. Two coats make 21.6 sq m, which takes about 1.8–2.7 litres. We recommend Set 2GL, at ฿2,998, which leaves some over for touch-ups later.

Don't forget 1 coat of primer. Voqe Primer old concrete starts at ฿205 for 0.946 litres, and Voqe Primer new concrete starts at ฿630 for 3.785 litres.

Common mistakes, and a shortcut if you'd rather not paint it yourself

When a wall disappoints, it is usually not the paint but impatience: painting new render before it has fully cured, skipping the primer, or recoating before the coat underneath is dry.

If you want a loft wall but don't have the time or don't trust your hand, use Voqe's Supply & Apply service. Our applicators are trained in Mineral Finish. Message us for a price based on the size of your wall.

• Adding more than 10% water makes the paint thin and shifts the shade
• Painting the wall evenly all over makes it look like ordinary paint
• Stopping halfway across a wall and finishing another day leaves a visible join
• Using Wax on an exterior wall, when Wax is for interior use only