How to Apply Orange Peel Texture to Ceilings

Take all furniture out of the room and all decor off the walls. Stretch plastic over the entire flooring surface and tape it down with painter's tape. No wrinkles should be in the plastic. Stretch the same plastic over all the walls in the room, as well as doors and windows. Attach it to the ceiling edge with painter's tape.

Roll on a coat of latex primer to the ceiling surface. Use a smooth roller with a low nap. Apply one even layer of primer and allow it to dry for 24 hours. Primer helps joint compound adhere to the drywall surface evenly.

Place joint compound into your drywall hopper. Add a small amount of water to ensure the plaster can move through the spray gun's nozzle smoothly. Aim the hopper's gun at the ceiling and lightly spray the surface, sweeping the gun in one direction. Allow the surface to dry for about two hours.

Spray a second coat of orange peel texture onto the ceiling, but apply in the opposite direction while you are spraying. For example, if the first texture layer was applied moving horizontally, the second coat should be applied moving vertically. Allow the second coat to dry for 24 hours. Paint with two or more coats of latex paint with a rough nap roller.