How a Knockdown Texture is Sprayed

Knockdown texture

 

Knockdown textures are one of the two primary types of texture sprayed by drywall contractors, the other being orange peel. The general process for using a texture machine is the same for both textures, but the tips and settings used for the two are different.

Read on for some tips on how to adjust your mix, tips, and air settings to get the perfect knockdown texture.

 

How To Spray Knockdown Texture With an AST Big Rig

Cómo Rociar una Textura de Derribo Con una Máquina de AST

Mixing for knockdown

When mixing for knockdown, mix to a slightly thicker consistency than for spraying orange peel. The heavier mud helps spray the large texture that is necessary for a knockdown texture.

Changing the mix can help get the right results, but changing the tip size and the air flow settings has an even bigger impact.

Mixing Texture Bags
Spray gun tip
The right tip size

The most commonly used tip sizes amongst contractors using AST machines for knockdown are 3/8″ and 7/16″. You can use either one depending on how heavy you want your texture to be.

Pole Gun Tips

Binks Gun Tips

Adjust the air flow

The last adjustment to make is with the air flow at the gun. Turning the air flow down keeps from atomizing the droplets too small which you would want for an orange peel texture. Less air keeps the texture bigger. The bigger droplets of texture can then be knocked down to create the final effect.

Power pack
Knocking down texture
Finishing off the look

After spraying the texture on the wall, let it sit for 15-30 minutes until the texture starts to dry. A good rule of thumb is to wait for the tiny dots on the wall to dry out, which is a good indication that the large dots are ready to be knocked down.

Waiting to knock the texture down helps ensure the texture flattens without spreading too much when it is knocked down. If the texture spreads more than desired, give it some more time to dry before knocking it down.

These tips about spraying a knockdown texture should get you on your way to putting up a beautiful finished product. If you have any questions about applying a specific texture, give our team a call or text at 253-833-4342.

 

 

 

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