How to Texture Over Unsmooth Surfaces

There are actually several different ways to add texture to an unsmooth surface, but probably the simplest way is to use a special texture roller. This is only a little more difficult than rolling on paint and has the added advantage of allowing you to both texture as well as paint in one application, saving you time as well as creating far less mess.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drywall Compound
• Wall Paint
• Special Textured Paint Rollers
• Drop Cloths
• Masking Tape
• Paint Tray
• 5 Gallon Bucket For Mixing

How to Texture Over Unsmooth Surfaces

1. Using your masking tape and drop cloths, cover all surfaces that are not to be textured.

2. Cut a medium-sized hole in the bottom corner of the plastic bag of premixed wallboard compound and squeeze the contents of the bag into the 5 gallon mixing bucket. Add sufficient wall paint to the wallboard compound to achieve the desired color. It is not necessary to use a primer paint. Add just enough water so that when thoroughly mixed the consistency of the wallboard and paint compound is that of pancake mix.

3. Pour a sufficient amoiunt of your wallboard/paint compound into your paint tray. Using your textured paint roller, begin rolling on the mixture of paint and wallboard compound the same way you would roll on paint. It is an excellent idea to experiment first on a piece of scrap material to make certain that the consistency, color and texture of the mixture will produce the desired results. This mixture can be painted on interior walls or ceilings, exterior walls, brickwork or virtually any clean and grease-free surface.

4. Allow to dry for at least 8 hours or per manufacturer's instructions. Surface can be repainted if desired. Clean up is with soap and water if a water-based paint is used. Otherwise clean up is per paint manufacturer's instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Different textures can be achieved using different textured rollers so it is wise to experiment on scrap material until you find the roller that produces the exact texture you are looking for.
• Keep in mind that many colors will dry slightly lighter than they appear when wet.