How to Mix Drywall Texture Compound for Spraying Orange Peel

There are different kinds of textures you may apply to drywall, whether it's intended to hide imperfections on the surface, or help the walls stand apart from standard finishes. Homeowner choices, including popcorn, knockdown and orange peel finishes. An orange peel finish looks similar to a popcorn finish, except the texture isn't as deep and is slightly smoother. To apply an orange peel texture, you'll first need to thin out some joint compound, which is a fairly easy process.

5-gallon bucket of joint compound
Putty knife
Mud pan
Water
Drill
Paddle mixer

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the lid from the bucket of joint compound and use the putty knife to take a few scoops of compound out of the bucket. Put the removed joint compound in the mud pan and set aside.
- 2
  Fill the void in the joint compound with water.
- 3
  Attach the paddle mixer to the electric drill and plug in the drill.
- 4
  Insert the paddle mixer into the bucket of joint compound and stand over the compound, with your feet pressed firmly against the sides of the bucket to prevent the bucket from spinning around when you turn on the drill.
- 5
  Turn on the drill and work the paddle mixer around the joint compound until the water and compound is thoroughly mixed.
- 6
  Check the consistency of the joint compound, which should be runny like thick paint. If the compound is too thin, add some of the compound you set aside in the mud pan and mix it again. If it is too thick, add some more water and mix.

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