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some parts of the United States, the most popular
wall textures are NO TEXTURE. Smooth. Same goes
for ceilings. This means a perfectly flat and blemish
free surface.
But out here in the wild and woolly Pacific Coast
where I live, plaster and drywall textures are
popular. Some will say that is because textures
tend to hide a bad plaster or drywall job.
 In
some cases, could be. But it could also be that
people LIKE the look of a textured surface. Some
wall and ceiling textures are gorgeous.
In my work with old plaster and drywall, I find
the demand for wall and ceiling textures to be
high, and so I have my bundle of texture sample
boards to show clients.
Most of my jobs involve either matching an existing
texture or applying one of my own unique patterns.
And sometimes my customers like to watch as I
put on the texture they have chosen. I may hear
comments like: "Hey, that looks like fun!"
and "How hard is it to do that?"
And my answer to both kinds of questions is,
"Yes, it's fun and I bet you could learn
to do this, too."
Sometimes I may recognize that I am not being
100% honest when I say this. After 35+ years,
it's not ALWAYS fun, and yes, some textures take
some practice to do well -- but behind my response
there lies a strong kernel of truth: this is essentially
a fun project that a motivated do-it-yourselfer
can master with practice and patience.
And that may mean you!
 But
before you jump in with both feet, allow me to
give you a few hints to get you started right.
These are things I have learned over the years,
some by trial and error.
Because ... I don't always get it right the first
time. And you probably won't either. Hence the
need, once you get going, to EXPERIMENT and PRACTICE.
The easiest texture materials to use are those
designed for drywall. They work for plaster as
well. They will stick to both painted and unpainted
plaster and drywall.
Standard all-purpose drywall compounds can be
thinned and used as texture. Or you can buy boxes
of pre-mixed texture compound. Texture compound
also comes as bags of powder. (At least true for
the U.S.)
Pre-mixed texture mud may need to be thinned.
Same goes for pre-mixed all purpose muds. If you
mix your texture compound from powder, keep track
of your powder-water ratio so you can duplicate
it anytime in the future.
The only way you will know if your mud is the
right thickness is by experimenting with your
tools and textures until you get the effect you
like.
Some effects need thicker mud, some thinner.
If you are mixing from powder, remember that it
is easier to thin your inital mix than to thicken
it. In any case, when mixing from scratch, let
soak overnight to soften lumps and get it smoother.
Texturizing tools can run the gamut from taping
knives to trowels, to various kinds of brushes,
to texture rollers and even to commercial texturing
tools.
I have even used my hands, ala fingerpainting
in grade school. What fun!
Several words to emphasize: EXPERIMENT, CONSISTENCY,
PATIENCE.
 By
experimenting, you discover the thickness of mud
that is easiest to work with. You find what tools
you like best. Consistency of application is your
goal.
(For example, there are some absolutely stunning
texture effects I can do, but I have a very hard
time getting them to be consistent over the whole
wall or ceiling, expecially if these are large.)
And patience will insure that you don't give
up easily. Give yourself time to learn.
You will need to practice your technique before
you tackle that wall or ceiling. Scraps of drywall
or heavy cardboard or even painted plywood will
work as a substitute surface.
One thing to remember - once you go for real,
you are committed. That is, once you start, you
will have to go corner to corner, the whole thing.
With many textures, there is no leaving off in
the middle.
This is why you probably need to start small.
Try a small ceiling, or a small room of walls.
When you can do that to your satisfaction, then
you may be ready for something bigger.
When you are all done, and ready for paint, be
sure to apply a good coat of drywall primer (PVA)
first. This will lock up the porosity of your
textured surface and provide the foundation for
a much better paint coat later.
Now go have some fun!
About the author:
Edwin Brown has 35+ years as a licensed and bonded
specialist in the field of plaster and drywall
repair and renovation. For a more in-depth discussion
of plaster wall texturing, browse http://www.plaster-wall-ceiling-solutions.com/wall-texture.html
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
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