Roll on thinned joint compund to create a light stipple effect.
Joint compound is a gypsum-based plaster often used to join drywall edges. The plaster is also commonly used by artisans to create a variety of textures on walls. These textures are applied using many simple tools, such as a trash bag, putty knife, drywall trowel or roller. Once applied, additional decorative treatments may be added to the plaster for a variety of distinctive and innovating looks for your home. Does this Spark an idea?
Stipple
Thin joint compound with water to the consistency of yogurt. Blend the solution with a hand drill with an attached mixer. Pour the near-liquid paste into a paint tray. Use a paint roller with a 3/4-inch nap and roll the paste onto the wall. Roll all in one direction, or move the roller in many different directions. Leave as is or bag the plaster to create more texture. Bagging refers to stamping a plastic bag into wet material: simply crumple up a garbage bag in your hand and stamp it repeatedly into the wet paste on the wall. Allow to dry.
Knockdown
Load your drywall trowel with plaster. Do not thin down the plaster for the knockdown finish. Hold the edge of the drywall trowel against the wall surface, setting the blade firmly against the wall at about a 30-degree angle. Wipe the plaster onto the wall. Move the plaster and trowel in different semicircular motions. Create high and low points for a variety of texture effects. Don't cover the entire surface, just 90 percent of it. Once the surface is painted, the entire surface will appear textured.
Rolled-on Texture
Use a very small paint roller frame, about 3 inches wide. Attach a small coordinating fabric roller (not a sponge roller). Dip the roller into water and then directly into wet joint compound. Roll the plaster onto the wall surface, creating texture. Leave the finish as is, or create a knockdown, or stippling effect: swipe a trowel over the rolled-on plaster peaks to knock them down and create additional texture design.
Finishes
Once the plaster finishes are dry, add color for different effects. First, cover the entire surface with one to two coats of primer. Next, apply a coat of acrylic paint. Topcoat your paint with metallic paint or glazes, or sponge on another color of paint. Always experiment and test your paint techniques on cardboard before painting directly on the wall.
Tags: drywall trowel, entire surface, onto wall, against wall, cover entire