I Need Some Help With a Drywall/Painting Project

[niferous]

As odd as it sounds whoever built my house decided to pay to have the garage ceiling not only painted, but also textured to match the ceiling texture of the rest of the house. I had to knock a lot of holes recently for running air lines and some electrical outlets and I wound up slipping off a ceiling joist and knocked a hole in my dang ceiling.

Anyway, I've got the hole patched, taped, and floated but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to match this texture. I took a sample to Lowes and they were zero help. I grabbed a can of that aerosol knockdown pattern but it doesn't match either. The pattern it sprays is way too tight. Can anyone identify what pattern this is so I can research it and figure out how to duplicate it?

 

[rcktsled]

That is knockdown texture but everybody does it a little different so you will have to experiment to match it. Get a junk piece of drywall and a can of the professional, solvent based spray and practice until you can match it. The less expensive, homeowner, water based spray is harder to work with IMO. Good luck.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Yes it is a knock down, but a heavy knock down. I would try on cardboard.

 

[rcktsled]

And if the pattern is too tight (blobs too close together) move farther away with the can or move it (sweep it) while you spray.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

First problem is that you are using a spray can! Try a thicker texture paint in a bucket or (what I use) hot mud or premixed joint compound. spread an 1/8 to 1/4 film on the ceiling and then with a sponge, flat plaster brush, or even a plaster trowel pull it directly down creating lots of sloppy upside down mini mountains. Let this set for a few minutes then knock it down gently with a flat plaster trowel, keeping it an 1/8 inch or so away from the actual sheetrock. It will take practice but you ought to be able to get it.

 

[readhead]

It was probably done with a large spray rig. My guess is they were spraying at an angle which made the pattern look elongated. Try spraying at an angle then knocking it down. Those cans will get kind of expensive. Try thinned all purpose mud and fling it on with a course brush then knock it down. If it looks like painted, knocked down lumps on the ceiling I doubt anyone but you will notice.

 

[four.cycle]

First problem is that you are using a spray can! Try a thicker texture paint in a bucket or (what I use) hot mud or premixed joint compound. spread an 1/8 to 1/4 film on the ceiling and then with a sponge, flat plaster brush, or even a plaster trowel pull it directly down creating lots of sloppy upside down mini mountains. Let this set for a few minutes then knock it down gently with a flat plaster trowel, keeping it an 1/8 inch or so away from the actual sheetrock. It will take practice but you ought to be able to get it.

^ this.

I love those spray cans! They ARE spendy, though.
Like the man said:
You're going to have to mix up a bit of mud with water, toss it at the ceiling, let it sit a few minutes, and then knock it down with a flat trowel to match that.
Apply with fingers, popsicle stick, or tablespoon - whatever works. As said previously: experiment on cardboard first until you get the hang of it.

(I hate textured ceilings!)

 

[rayra]

That's a thick gloppy mix shot out of an air gun / hopper. You'll have to practice a bit to match, or hire someone with experience to do it quick.

If it's a small hole and you have any artistic ability I'd seriously suggest 'painting' the texture. Easiest way to get a small area to match without overspraying the adjacent area and making the problem bigger. Some loose mix, about the consistency of clay slip, a medium artist's brush and start daubing it in until it looks close enough. I've done it for holes caused by door knobs.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I'd throw it with the spatula that wife uses to put frosting on cakes... it has the "springy" action.


remember that after it's all painted the same color, nobody is going to notice it except you.

 

[csp]

Even if you match the pattern there will be areas on the fringe of the repair where it will still show. Blending old texture with new to be seamless is always a challenge even after hundreds of repairs like this. I've learned to sand all paint/existing texture down as far away from the hole as you're likely to feather the patch out to. I'll tape/mask that fringe area and then blend new texture with old with a sponge while it's still drying.