How to Apply Knockdown on Sheetrock Walls
- 1). Remove outlet and switch plates with a slotted screwdriver. Cover the outlets and switches with masking tape.
- 2). Remove or cover any fixtures, furniture or flooring. Use paper and masking tape to cover baseboards, door casings and anything else in the area that you do not want to texture. By properly prepping the area before spraying, you will significantly reduce clean-up time.
- 3). Mix the joint compound in a bucket with water, using a spade drill and mixing paddle. Adjust the amount of water and material until it has the consistency of loose pancake batter. If the mixture is too thick, it will not flow freely through the spray nozzle.
- 4). Attach the applicable-size tip to the hopper and connect it to an air supply. There are two types of basic hoppers; one type has interchangeable tips, while the other has a wheel attached to the spray mechanism with different-sized holes. This type adjusts by spinning the wheel to align the applicable-sized hole to the spray tip. The size of the tip or hole determines the size of the dollops applied to the wall.
- 5). Pour the texture mixture into the hopper. Adjust the air and material flow by testing it on a scrap piece of drywall or in an inconspicuous area until you achieve the desired pattern.
- 6). Spray the material on the walls, moving over the wall in even strokes to cover the surface from top to bottom. The compound needs to set up for a short time before you apply the final finish, usually about 30 minutes.
- 7). Drag the knockdown trowel across the dollops to achieve the knockdown appearance. Maintain an even amount of pressure on the trowel to achieve a uniform appearance on the textured surface.
- 8). Clean up any over-spray with a damp sponge and water. Allow the texture to dry before you remove any paper.