How to Make Sheetrock Look Like a Plaster Wall

Clean already painted sheetrock walls using a degreaser cleaner, such as trisodium phosphate. Mix with water following label directions. Wash the walls from the bottom up, wringing out the cloth frequently to remove accumulated dirt and debris. Do not wash bare sheetrock walls that have not been primed or painted; they are not waterproof and the wash water will damage them.

Fill in any nail holes or other defects in the sheetrock's surface. Use drywall mud, also called joint compound, and fill the holes in using a small putty knife. Allow the patching compound to dry according to the manufacturer's directions. Ensure the joint compound is thoroughly dry before moving on to Step 3.

Sand the patched areas of the sheetrock, using a fine-grit sanding sponge or brick, including the seams if you are working with just-installed sheetrock that is not yet painted or otherwise finished. Sand sheetrock walls that are painted a glossy or shiny finish. This will create a rough surface, to which the plaster will more easily stick. Remove the sanding dust with a vacuum cleaner with brush attachment.

Mix 1 gallon of drywall joint compound, also called mud, with enough water to create a texture of very thick paint. Use an electric drill and mud paddle attachment and do the mixing in a 5-gallon bucket.

Pour some of the thinned-down joint compound into a paint tray. Load up your thick-piled paint roller with the compound.

Roll the compound onto a 3-foot-wide by 4-foot-high section of wall. Ensure the surface in the section is completely covered with the watered-down compound.

Level out the applied joint compound using your drywall trowel or 8-inch-wide taping knife. Hold the trowel or knife at angle of about 30 degrees and use the flat edge to skim off the excess joint compound. Don't worry about covering all the defects; this is only the first coat.

Move on to the next 3-foot-by-4-foot section of wall, but apply the joint compound so it slightly overlaps the first section, making it all blend in. Repeat with the remaining walls and ceiling. Allow the joint compound to dry thoroughly, following the recommendations of the manufacturer of the drywall joint compound.

Sand the surface of the walls smooth, using fine-grit sanding sponges or blocks. Remove the sanding dust with a vacuum cleaner with brush attachment.

Apply a second coat of drywall mud, following steps 4 through 8. Sand the second coat after the mud is completely dry.