How to Spray Wall Texture

Traditionally, drywall is decorated with paint or wallpaper to create a finished look. However, many walls do not look very "finished" with a couple coats of paint because of imperfections in the wall surface. Wall texture is often used to hide such imperfections and add a texture element to a room. Wall texture can be applied several ways, but spraying texture is the easiest method. Beautiful texture can be created with a sprayer and a couple of simple tools, and the best part is that it does not take any particular skill or previous knowledge to do the job perfectly on the first try.

Things You'll Need

• Dropcloths
• Painter's tape
• Newspapers
• Bucket
• Texture spray mix (dry)
• Water
• Drill with mixing paddle attachment
• Drywall texture sprayer
• Wedge-shaped plaster trowel

Instructions

1. Remove everything from the room where the texturing is going to take place. Mask off and cover every surface that you wish to protect from the texture spray with a combination of painter's tape and newspapers. Spread dropcloths and gather all materials.

2. Pour the dry texture mix into the bucket and add water according to the instructions on the package. Mix the product thoroughly using a drill with a mixing paddle attachment. Add more water as necessary until the compound resembles runny oatmeal.

3. Load the sprayer with the compound mix, and select the proper nozzle setting. Spray the walls in even strokes starting at the top of the wall, working your way down. Work in 5-foot sections, finishing one section at a time before moving on to the next.

4. Allow the product to "set up" on the walls for about 15 to 30 minutes. Lightly pull the trowel down over the sprayed splotches, applying only minimal pressure. This is called "knocking down" the texture. The splotches should flatten and spread out slightly, but not smooth out completely. Continue spraying and knocking down the texture every 15 to 30 minutes until all wall surfaces have been completed.

5. Allow the walls to dry for 24 hours. Prime and paint the walls to suit the style of the room and your preferences.

Tips & Warnings

• Texture adheres best to walls that have not been painted, but it can be added to walls that have been primed and prepped properly. If you wish to texture a wall that has already been painted, prime the walls with a basic, flat primer. Drywall does not need to be primed, because spray texture is very similar to joint compound and is best applied to drywall rather than paint.

• If you are unsure of the look you want, try practicing on an extra piece of drywall. Play with consistency and spray settings until you get the look you want. Lower spray settings achieve a lighter, thinner texture.

• In 2009, texture sprayers cost between $30 and $350. If you only wish to spray one room, a low-end $30 model will work perfectly. Of course, this price does not include an air compressor which is necessary to operate the sprayer. If you do not wish to purchase the equipment, you can rent equipment from your local tool-rental store. Rental prices vary according to location, but the average price is about $45 per day.

• Texture sprayers are specifically designed to handle the thicker consistency of the texture compound material. Do not use a regular paint sprayer because they are not designed to spray the thick material.

References

• Putting up Knockdown Texture
• Creating Textured Walls