What Is the Name of the Machine That Sprays Dry Wall Compound on Walls?

The Machine

• Simply put, the machine that performs the task of adding a textured surface to hanging drywall is known in the contracting industry as a wall-texture spray machine. The size of the machine varies, from simple push-type machines rentable at many home improvement and hardware stores to very large machines pulled behind trucks that are used in large commercial jobs. Smaller wall sprayers are generally electrically powered, while the larger commercial machines are oftentimes gas-fed.

How It Works

• Compound is fed from the container into a large open funnel where it’s channeled into an internal mixing bladder that keeps the compound churning, a motion that keeps it from setting up. There the spackling compound is force-fed into a blower powered by the sprayer’s engine; the power of the engine depends on the type used, which affects the machine's range and effectiveness. The compound then is shot through the hose and onto the drywall in a wide blast or a more specific concentrated beam that changes the final effect.

The Effects

• The final textured surface is controlled by both the controller and the nozzle to create different effects, depending on the overall look desired. A light, slightly sanded look can be achieved with a light application of compound (known as “orange peel”) or a heavily textured appearance (called “popcorn”), which is a popular ceiling application in many commercial office buildings.

How to Use It

• If you rent a machine (commercial machines are only available to those with a contractor’s license), you’ll need to cover all floor areas with drop cloth, because residual compound will fall from the ceiling and walls. Next, you’ll spray a piece of scrap wood to determine your desired effect, which will show you how far or close you need to hold the hose nozzle. Once that’s done, it’s best to keep the nozzle moving in a side-to-side motion, working from the top of the wall to the bottom and never lingering over one spot in order to reduce the chances of adding too much compound.