How To: Knockdown Plaster Finish

Spraying on joint compound hides the natural variances on the surface of walls and ceilings. While this look isn't popular in its unfinished state, knocking it down to create a more subtle texture continues to grow in popularity. The key to achieving a quality finish is holding the trowel at the same angle and applying the same pressure as you knock down the drying joint compound.

Spray gun
Joint compound
Water
Trowel
Rags

Instructions

- 1
  Thin the joint compound with water until it's the consistency of pudding.
- 2
  Load the joint compound into the tank of the spray gun and spray the joint compound onto the wall or ceiling.
- 3
  Let the joint compound set up for 15 minutes.
- 4
  Start at the top of the wall or in one corner of the ceiling. Place your trowel at a 45-degree angle and pull it across the joint compound. Don't change the angle or the pressure on the trowel.
- 5
  Lift the trowel when you reach the bottom of the wall or the end of the ceiling. Wipe the trowel clean with a rag.
- 6
  Set your trowel to the wall or ceiling so it's overlapping the first pass a few inches and repeat. Continue this until the entire wall or ceiling has been knocked down.

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