How to Use Joint Compound to Texture Walls
Joint compound is a versatile substance that is easy to work with. It dries within about an hour and it is water-based, which means that you can thin it for different applications. You can apply it to a wall to create a variety of textures; you paint the wall when you are finished.
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There are many styles of texture you can add to your wall, but the method of applying the joint compound is similar for most of them.
Things You Will Need
- Primer
- Paint rollers
- Paintbrush
- Joint compound
- 5-gallon bucket
- Wood paint stick
- 4-inch wide paintbrush
- Roller with thick nap
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Prime the wall that you want to texture to create a surface that keeps stains from bleeding through and that holds the texture in place evenly. You can use oil-based or latex primer. Let the primer dry according to the manufacturer's directions.
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Place a gallon of joint compound into a 5-gallon bucket, and add just enough water to make it more like a thick paint or pancake batter. Add 8 ounces of water to start with, and stir thoroughly with a wooden paint stick until the mixture is smooth. Add more water a few ounces at a time until you have reached the proper thickness.
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Dip a 4-inch-wide paintbrush into the joint compound, and paint the wall with a heavy coat but without getting any runs. You also can use a paint roller with a thick nap; just make sure you apply enough to get a good texture.
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Drag the paintbrush across the surface to create swirls or whatever design you like. Make the layer about 1/16 of an inch to keep it from cracking when it dries.
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Let the joint compound dry for 24 hours. Paint with the color you like, using a thick-napped roller to get into the texture of the wall, drying between coats according to the manufacturer’s directions.
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The Drip Cap
- Joint compound is a versatile substance that is easy to work with.
- You can apply it to a wall to create a variety of textures; you paint the wall when you are finished.
- Let the primer dry according to the manufacturer's directions.
- Add 8 ounces of water to start with, and stir thoroughly with a wooden paint stick until the mixture is smooth.
References
Writer Bio
Maryland resident Heide Braley is a professional writer who contributes to a variety of websites. She has focused more than 10 years of research on botanical and garden articles and was awarded a membership to the Society of Professional Journalists. Braley has studied at Pennsylvania State University and Villanova University.
Photo Credits
- Anna Susanne Eriksson/Demand Media
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- Anna Susanne Eriksson/Demand Media
- Anna Susanne Eriksson/Demand Media
- Anna Susanne Eriksson/Demand Media
- Anna Susanne Eriksson/Demand Media
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