How to Use a Texture Hopper Gun
A texture hopper gun facilitates textured finishes for drywall-covered walls. The gun uses an air compressor to push mud through the nozzle of a gun and spray it on the wall or ceiling. Use texture hopper guns to create orange peel or popcorn-type finishes to drywall ceilings or walls.
Things You Will Need
- Texture hopper gun
- Air compressor
- Half-inch drill with mixing paddle
- Texturing mud
- Plastic sheeting and tape
Tip
Clean the texture hopper gun by filling the hopper with water and operating the gun in an area where a little water and mud won’t be a problem. After the gun has been flushed clean, use a brush to remove any materials from the hopper before running air through the gun to clear the valve.
Warning
Operators of texture hopper guns should wear personal protection gear including gloves, eye goggles or a full face mask and a breathing mask.
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Mix the material that will be sprayed from the texture hopper gun according to the instructions furnished by the gun manufacturer. In some cases, the gun may require a mix with a higher water content than recommended by the material manufacturer. This may require you to add water to pre-mixed mud. Stir mud using a mixing paddle on a 1/2-inch drill until it is free of lumps.
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Cover with plastic anything you don’t want to apply texture to. Spraying texture with a texture hopper gun is not a precise operation and there will be splatters of the texturing material on other walls, doors and windows.
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Add the mud to the hopper of the texture hopper gun. Adjust the nozzle for the type of finish desired. Also adjust the air flow. Increasing air flow from the air compressor decreases the material sprayed on the wall. Lowering the air flow increases the amount of material applied to the wall.
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Spray the material on the walls and ceiling with an even movement. Even movements lead to the smoothest and most uniform spread of materials. Agitate the hopper from time to time to keep the materials from sticking to the hopper walls. Add water to the material and remix if it has thickened before being added to the hopper. Try to finish entire walls or ceilings before taking any breaks.
The Drip Cap
- A texture hopper gun facilitates textured finishes for drywall-covered walls.
- Mix the material that will be sprayed from the texture hopper gun according to the instructions furnished by the gun manufacturer.
- Spraying texture with a texture hopper gun is not a precise operation and there will be splatters of the texturing material on other walls, doors and windows.
- Lowering the air flow increases the amount of material applied to the wall.
Writer Bio
Keith Allen, a 1979 graduate of Valley City State College, has worked at a variety of jobs including computer operator, medical clinic manager, radio talk show host and potato sorter. For over five years he has worked as a newspaper reporter and historic researcher. His works have appeared in regional newspapers in North Dakota and in "North Dakota Horizons" and "Cowboys and Indians" magazines.
Photo Credits
- background of the texture wall bright yellow colour image by Irina Igumnova from Fotolia.com
- background of the texture wall bright yellow colour image by Irina Igumnova from Fotolia.com
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