Rolling on knockdown texture, who has done it?

[4EyedTurd]

I've been doing a lot of research but before I attempt this there are a few things that I'm still not sure about. I was hoping someone has done this. I only have a couple small areas to do so to be cost effective and easy I'm going to try rolling. My main question for those that have rolled on a knockdown texture is which roller would work best? I've read and watched videos and have seen a long knap roller to the plastic wirey roller. From what I've read, I need to thin the mud to an oatmeal like consistency and the slower I roll the taller my texture will be.

 

[Daedalus]

Can't help you too much, except to say I found it pretty difficult to get good results with a roller. Could not get the consistency right, the mud wouldn't stick to the roller, the surface was uneven, etc. I have used a texture gun with good success. Whatever you do, make a few test runs first on stiff cardboard or scrap wood or drywall. You'll want to try knocking it down at different time intervals to see what looks best. I recall I let the mud set for almost 20 minutes before taking a knife to it. When I used the texture gun I just bought the redi-mixed texture in a bucket. When I tried rolling, I thinned it myself. I probably just never thinned it correctly.

 

[C96]

You won’t get the results you’re looking for with a roller. You will need to use a texture gun with an air compressor and a knockdown trowel for best results.

Oh, they do make some spray texture in a spray can, but I can’t verify results. I don’t think that’s a good option for you though. Probably shouldn’t have even mentioned it…

 

[gungatim]

I haven't had good results with a roller either. I use a stipling brush, found that the easiest but your wrist will be sore after a while. I did my entire 1400 sq ft. basement that way and it looks great. just remember to tackle it a section at a time, not all at once. then come back and blend it in. I left the texture rough, but to knock it down just go back over it with a wet trowel.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I used a special textured roller and a coarse sponge on a small section of wall and on a ceiling repair. It worked OK. The texture is more than a sand texture but isn't as deep as most knock-down textures. (I ripped out that thick 70's **** carpet too).

 

[rsanter]

When doing small areas I have used the texture in a spray can stuff. Takes a few try's to get used to doing it but after that I got pretty decent at it
Far better than the roller IMO

Bob

 

[Norcal]

If a texture is rolled on it won't be a knockdown texture it needs to be sprayed & knocked down.

 

[Lx460]

I've has really good results using the cheapo HF texture gun with regular drywall mud in a 5 gallon bucket watered down and stirred well. You'll need to play around with how much water you add. As others said try it on a piece of cardboard first. I'll also add it makes a complete mess, so make sure you have everything covered in plastic that you don't want covered in texture.

 

[nolimits76]

In general, knockdown texture is hard to duplicate. Getting close should be your realistic expectation. I doubt a roller will get you there.

While it seems like a simple enough task, I've noticed what's applied is "unique" to the person originally applying. Almost like their signature and method of doing it. So you are trying to "forge" their signature in a sense.

Definitely do a few test runs first.

 

[vintagespeed1956]

i did the reverse. i rolled on mud and then squeegeed to get rid of texture. what a pain in the ***!

the roller gets VERY heavy after a few hours of rolling, doesn't roll down a consistent amount of mud and just ends up smearing it on the wall once the roller is loaded.

 

[59chief]

I have always used a texture gun and dry texturing compound mixed according to instructions using a coffee can or other such vessel to get a consistent ratio that is repeatable. Like LX460 said, practice on some scrap varying mix, pressure, tip size( they usually come with 3 or 4), and time until you get it how you want it. Write it down and use the same formula each time. I've done two houses and a little commercial work that way and gotten pretty fair results. Don't mix too much at once as time changes how it goes on. A power mixing paddle in a heavy duty corded drill will save your arms for holding the gun and doing the knock down.... It's really more fun and less complicated than it sounds.
Good luck with the project!

 

[Falcon67]

I textured the bedroom wall repairs in our old house using a really coarse roller for texture and slightly watered down drywall mud. I did do a little knock down on it. not much. The requirement was to try and match the half texture/knockdown on the rest of the walls. Did pretty well. Putting it on with a really coarse roller puts enough on the wall to at least do a little blading.

 

[Daedalus]

Oh, they do make some spray texture in a spray can, but I can’t verify results. I don’t think that’s a good option for you though. Probably shouldn’t have even mentioned it…

The spray can stuff is ****. Way too thin.

 

[tiggi]

Your best bet is texture hopper at the store, about $60. Thin down the drywall mud to a batter consistency. After you spray it on the wall just run 12" knife down the wall lightly. No need to press, just let it flow.

 

[dfiler2]

The term knockdown comes from using a hopper, like shown above, spaying on some taping compound, letting the texture dry for a couple of minutes, then knocking it down with a trowel. For about a 10 year period I did taping and texturing full time, since then I have done many jobs on my own for family, friends and myself. One thing I've learned is you can get pretty creative and get some great results. I actually like the idea of using a heavy nap roller to put on some thinned out taping compound then knocking it down with a trowel. Find some scrap sheet rock and give it a try. One thing I played with a few months ago was painting the wall first then mixing a little darker shade of paint in with the compound before the texture and knock down, it turned out really nice. There is also a little sand mixed in to make it look more like stucco, the sand probably wouldn't look right in a home but this will give you an idea of the multi-color.

 

[4EyedTurd]

Thanks guys, I found this video also which looks like another way to try