The art and science of finishing drywall can be accomplished by most dedicated "do-it-yourself" folks. It involves some common carpentry tools, a weekend or more depending on the size and number of rooms you are working on and a little practice to get the hang of it. So, gather your materials and put on your work duds. It's time to create a textured finish on your drywall.
Instructions
1. Thin your ready-mixed joint compound. Though the packaging may claim it's ready for use, you will need to add water to make it the consistency of cake frosting. Add water slowly and mix. Test by stirring with your knife until the compound is thin enough for use.
2. Apply a thick (around 1/4-inch) coating of the compound to the seam of one of the butt joints on your wall with your 6-inch drywall knife. A butt joint is the area in which boards meet.
3. Measure (roughly) a length of tape that will fit over the coated seam. Position it directly over the seam. Apply light pressure by hand to stick it down. Let dry.
4. Cover your tape with a 1/2-inch layer of compound. Apply evenly, making sure to hide your tape. Use your knife as a scraper to press down the compound. Smooth ridges and remove excess with knife allowing for about 2 inches of a thin coat of compound to extend from the sides of the tape. The center of the tape should have a small ridge of compound above it.
5. Put on a final coat of compound to the seam. Use your 12-inch knife to coat. Apply light pressure in the center again and heavier pressure to spread out the compound thinly on all sides. This will complete the coating of the first butt joint. Repeat the entire process for each additional one.
6. Apply compound and tape to each corner. Apply compound with 3-inch knife on the inside corners and your 6-inch knife for the outside corners. Repeat the coating, taping and two additional coats of compound over the tape for each corner. Expand your area of compound coverage with each pass until you conclude with about a 5-inch width. Work with your knives to make a completely smooth crease in each inside corner. Remember to allow for drying between each application.
7. Apply three coats of compound over each nail or screw in your drywall. Let dry between each coating. Smooth with your 3-inch knife.
8. Purchase the type of premixed texture you want to put on your drywall. Consider "popcorn," which helps dampen sound; "skiptrowel," which looks like Spanish stucco; or "splatter" which has, of course, a splattered look to it.
9. Cover the flooring with a sheet before you begin applying texture. Move out any furniture or other objects in the room or cover them for protection.
10. Apply texture using a paint roller or spray rig. Put the product on your drywall as you would when doing regular wall painting. The difference here is the "paint" has particles in it to create the texture. Using a roller takes more time but it gives you good control, whereas a sprayer is much quicker but you have less control. Practice with the one you choose on a small area. Try to brush or spray on as evenly as possible.
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