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Acoustical Sprayer and Gun
You’ll need to rent an acoustical spray gun, hopper and compressor from a rental center or paint store for this project. Although home compressors work fine for the initial orange peel coat, they won’t produce the volume of air you need for the heavier topcoat. Expect to pay $25 to $30 for a one-day rental. While you’re still at the rental store, be sure to put the machine through a dry run to be certain it works. Also, remove the hopper from the gun and make sure the inside of the gun is clean. Look for a trigger adjustment on the gun. It allows you to control the fluid flow. The recipes on this page will give you the just-right mixes for your project.Goof-Proofing Tip:
Always make sure you start
with a clean edge on the knock-down knife for each stroke. Keep a damp sponge
and a bucket of water handy for this task.
Recipe for Topping Coat:
- Half a bucket (30 lbs.) of all purpose joint compound
3 pints of water
Spray gun orifice—second largest
Compressor setting—10 to 15 psi
Trigger—fully open
Mix consistency—thick cake batter
Splat size—nickel to silver dollar
Painting a Textured Surface
Paint a textured surface the way you would new drywall.
Let the “mud” dry completely. As it dries, it will release
tremendous amounts of moisture. You’ll feel as if you’re standing
in an Iowa cornfield in July. If it’s warm enough outside, cut through
the masking on your windows and open them, but leave the masking tape in place
until the surface dries. If you have some box fans, use them to help speed the
drying.
Recipe for Orange Peel Coat:
- Half a bucket (30 lbs.) of all-purpose joint compound
-
5 pints of water
-
Spray gun orifice—second or third smallest
-
Compressor setting—high (25 to 30 psi)
-
Trigger—half open
-
Mix consistency—thin pancake batter
-
Splat size—pencil eraser
After the walls and ceiling dry, check the surface for any spots you missed knocking down or any ridges you raised with the corner of the knife. With 120-grit sandpaper and a sanding block, sand these high spots down.
Begin painting with a high-quality primer applied with a 3/8-in. nap paint roller. On the first coat, avoid going over surfaces before they’re completely dry. The mud is water soluble and painting too soon can cause you to peel up a thin layer of mud with the paint.
For the final paint coat, use a high-quality latex paint and a 3/8-in. nap roller. I prefer an “eggshell” or “satin” finish because it emphasizes the depth of the texture.
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