Some Plaster Wall Texture Samples You Can TryThe first is a lace-like pattern done with a 3-knot roofing brush normally used to apply tar. Patted onto the surface, this wall texture is then left to "season" for a few minutes then gently knocked down with a six inch taping knife. When you are doing a whole wall, you stop every once in a while and go back to knock down what has been sitting there for a time. Don't wait too long (depending on the room temperature), maybe fifteen minutes or so. Experiment on a piece of scrap material first to get the hang of it.
Wall Texture Samples #1. Lace
The second is a swirl wall texture done with a trowel. As you can see, it has sand in it, in this case, 30 mesh. (good for ceilings, too)
Wall Texture Samples #2. Swirl
___________________________________________________________ Skip trowel texture A number of people have searched this site looking for information about this kind of texture. So here is my take on it. Yes, I have done a lot of skip trowel tex over the years, but I need to say upfront that it is not an easy texture to master. In my experience, it can be a wall texture or a ceiling texture, but it works best on ceilings (at least the variety I do). I mix up some texture mud so that it is pretty soopy, sort of like cream that pours but stiffly. Add in 30 mesh sharp quartz sand, not too much, maybe a cup or so per gallon.You'll have to experiment. Put the mix in a long mud pan and use a twelve inch broadknife. Sight down the blade and if there is a slight curve to it, use the knife with the curve side down (against the surface you will be applying texture to). With your pan full, dip the blade a inch or two into the mud, rake off the back side of the knife against the lip of the pan. Place the knife to the surface to be textured, laying the knife at a pretty flat angle and draw it across the surface. Use light pressure. What happens is, the knife blade vibrates as you draw it over the surface, because of the sand, and this results in a series of spots and skips in the texture stroke. It takes a fair amount of practice to get the stroke just right. I like to draw them out in a slightly curving fashion. And it takes practice to integrate the stokes in an attractive pattern. Experiment on scrap drywall to get the hang of it. And maybe a small ceiling to start with, so you don't wear yourself out. You may end up with a stiff neck when you're done, but it will be worth it! Here's a look at how it appears on a ceiling.
Wall texture samples #3. Skip Trowel
FOOTNOTE Ordinary plaster sand texture. Very often, when someone goes to repair plaster cracks or holes, they come up against the problem of trying to match their patches to the various sandy wall texture samples they come across. Old plaster often has a rough or lighter sand grit texture, without any discernible pattern. Sometimes the sand is sharp, or if the surface has received many coats of paint over the years, the sand is rounded off -- muted, in other words.
What to do? My solution, admittedly not perfect, is to mix up a slurry of white quartz sand (usually 30 mesh) with texture compound and latex paint. About two thirds compound (thinned some first, if necessary) and one third paint. Stir together well then dribble in some sand and stir that in.Using a small paint roller (3 inch or so wide), practice rolling this out on scrap drywall, cardboard, etc. to get a feel for this. Add more sand if you think you need it. After you have experimented to your satisfaction, apply to your plaster patches. Roll in different directions to give a random effect. Are you someone who would like to try a spray texture? If so, go here for a discussion of spray texture With these wall texture samples, you now have an idea of some possibilities. But many others exist. Would you like to see some live demonstrations?
-------------------------- DVD ANNOUNCEMENT Do you have a feeling that you're just not very "artistic"? Don't tell me that, because I won't believe you! Why? In my years of doing custom textures for paying clients, I have learned an AMAZING SECRET. And I want to share it with you. In my newly released DVD of live demonstrations, I take you by the hand, so to speak, and walk you through the process of doing wall and ceiling textures. These are actual textures I do for my clients, textures they pay me very nice money to do. Are you ready to add that lovely touch to your newly repaired or restored plaster or drywall? I'll show you how remarkably easy it really is. For more information about this, and to find out the amazing secret I learned from my clients, go to wall texturing techniques _________________________________________________________
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