Almost any pattern you desire can
be made using chalk lines and masking tape. The pattern is laid out first
on a thoroughly cleaned and dry floor. Each separate color in the pattern
adds another day to the stain process, as the masking tape for color #2
must be laid down over the dry edge of color #1.
Faux Real uses ėveins and
ragsî for visual texture within color areas (to imitate marble or stone).
The veins are made by tearing old T-shirts around and around from the hem
upwards. The thin strip of jersey rolls in on itself and makes a long absorbent
string which gathers more stain than the surrounding area, making a darker
line. 'Rags' are torn pieces of old bedsheet and are usually laid down
in relation to the veins. These can vary in size and extent, depending
on the kind of pattern wanted or the type of stone being imitated.
This close up of the floor at an
architect's residence in Santa Fe shows visual texture created by laying
down "veins and rags" at the time of staining. Fuzzy black borders around
blue rag shapes are a product of water from the slab interacting with the
blue and green acid stain. (This was a 'happy accident' which is not under
our control.)
