How to Apply a Knockdown Texture Without a Sprayer

How to Apply a Knockdown Texture Without a Sprayer
Written By
SM
Sky Martin
Published: Nov 8, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Sometimes, if your home isn’t new, the previous owner may have botched up wall repairs that are blatant. Knockdown texture is a good way to conceal imperfections on a wall.

Things You Will Need

  • Paint roller
  • Plastic loop roller
  • Bucket
  • Joint compound
  • Taping knives
  1. Cover an ordinary paint roller with a plastic loop roller. You can buy this type of roller at your local hardware store.

  2. Fill a bucket with joint compound, then take a plastic taping knife and spread joint compound all over the plastic loop roller.

  3. Apply joint wall compound to the surface of the wall, creating a layer of compound 1/8 inch thick. Start by rolling in a straight up-and-down motion, beginning at the top of the ceiling and working your way down. Work with a gentle pressure as you roll the compound on the wall. Alternate directions as you roll, going from up-and-down to left-to-right to ensure that you have a good layer of compound on the wall. Work in 3x3-foot section at a time.

  4. Allow the compound to set and dry. The longer that you allow the texture to dry, the more knockdown texture you will achieve.

  5. Position a 10-inch taping knife at a slight angle on the dried compound and gently slide down to knock off the peaks in the dried compound.

  6. Prime the wall then apply paint.

The Drip Cap

  • Daily life has a tendency to wear down walls in the home.
  • Sometimes, if your home isn’t new, the previous owner may have botched up wall repairs that are blatant.
  • Fill a bucket with joint compound, then take a plastic taping knife and spread joint compound all over the plastic loop roller.
  • Work in 3x3-foot section at a time.

Photo Credits

Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

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