Spraying Texture on Walls Before Painting

Remove all furniture and drapes from the room.

Lay plastic drop cloth over the entire floor. To ensure that it does not drip on the edges of the flooring, attach the drop cloth to the flooring trim with masking tape.

Mix the plaster compound with water until the desired consistency is reached in a large plastic bucket. The end result should be approximately as thick as pancake batter.

Pour the plaster compound directly into the drywall spray rig, which can be purchased or rented at most hardware stores.

Spray a small amount of the plaster onto a piece of cardboard or unwanted wood. This will give you a chance to adjust the nozzle or try a different spray head until the desired effect is achieved.

Spray the compound onto the walls beginning at the top and working toward the bottom of the wall. Apply in straight, even strokes.

Allow the compound to set for approximately 30 minutes. The time the plaster needs to achieve a tacky state will depend upon air temperature and humidity.

Run a trowel over the plaster once it has become tacky, not dry. Place the trowel's head against the wall and run it from bottom to top in small sections. Do not place too much pressure onto the trowel. The idea is not to spread the plaster, but to remove the peaks from the dollops.

Allow the plaster to dry for at least 24 hours before applying paint. Assist the drying process by opening windows or placing a fan in the room, pointed directly at the wall.