Wall Texture Tips

Wall Texture and Ceiling Texture Tips

If you are partial to smooth walls and ceilings these are created with good skim coat techniques.

If you are going to hang wallpaper over rough or textured walls please hang a filler layer first , which will mute the coarseness of the surface.  You can however skim coat

First be sure that the surface is reasonably clean.  You can achieve this by wiping down the walls with warm water and a sponge.

Before you start mudding, it is a good idea to tape the trim.  Make your lines straight

Most people are more comfortable using an 8 or 10” broad knife and a long mud pan rather than the plasterer’s hawk and trowel.

It helps to start at the top of the wall and work your way down.  Don’t get the mud on too thick.  It isn’t going to look wonderful your first coat so don’t be concerned.

Second, if the walls have cracks, clean them out, fill those that need it and then stick tape over the cracks with joint compound.  Treat each crack like one would treat a drywall seam.  If you don’t do this there is a good chance that some of the cracks will reopen.

Third, to speed the process I will use hot mud to smooth out these rough walls.  If you  are concerned about adhesion add some plaster bonder into the water before mixing in the power.

Fourth, use all-purpose joint compound for the final smooth coat of mud.  This is finer grained and a lot easier to sand.