I finally listened to my uncle about using a paint roller for knockdown texture

He swore by a 3/4 inch nap roller for 15 years, and after trying it on a ceiling in Phoenix last month, the finish was way more even than my old spray method. Anyone have a different tool they prefer for knockdown?

2 comments

2 Comments

blair_williams697d ago

That 3/4 inch nap is the sweet spot, for sure. I found it helps to thin the mud just a bit more than you would for spraying, almost like a thick pancake batter. Lets the roller lay it down smooth without those little ridges. Then you can knock it down with a wider knife, like a 14 inch, for a really flat, consistent pattern. It's a slower process, but you don't get those heavy splatter spots or thin areas like a sprayer sometimes leaves.

cameronprice6d ago

Honestly, that pancake batter thin mud is gonna cause problems. Tbh, if you thin it that much, it sags on ceilings and the knockdown just turns into a flat, shiny mess. You want it like soft peanut butter off the knife. Ngl, I learned this the hard way on a bathroom ceiling that looked awful. The thicker mud holds the knife marks better and dries with way more texture.