Can New Texture Be Applied Over Painted Drywall?

Sanding

• Prepare the painted wall by sanding the surface. Remove all furniture and home decor items or cover with plastic tarps. The sanding dust will cover most items in the room. Use a sanding block you are able to hold in your hand or attach to a pole for large areas. Move the sanding block across the wall surface in an even motion. Sanding the painted wall creates grit for the texture to grip. Once the entire surface has been sanded, wipe down the area with a damp sponge.

Newly Painted Walls

• Ensure the walls have had proper time to dry. Do not apply texture to the wall the same day as painting. The drywall will draw moisture out of the paint and may cause adhesion problems. Always wait a minimum of one day. If it is extremely humid, wait several days to ensure the painted wall is completely dry.

Imperfect Walls

• Always repair any drywall flaws before adding texture if possible. Nail holes do not need to be filled in with putty, but larger areas where the drywall is damaged must be repaired first. If the wall has extreme flaws from improper drywall installation, such as major dings and waves in the drywall, understand texture may not completely hide these flaws.

Types of Texture

• The most common material used to create texture is joint compound. The inexpensive material is available in 5-gallon buckets for about $12, according to Home Depot's 2011 prices. It can be sprayed on lightly to create orange peel texture or hand applied for a skip trowel effect. To ensure the texture has the best adherence to the painted wall, apply thin layers, no more than 1/4 inch in thickness.