Drywall texture w Graco TexSpray EXT HP
Well, I still don’t like this new Breaktime format, but it looks as if we’re stuck with this sucker. I’ve purposely avoided it; however, gotta a problem – need help.
I just bought a slightly used Graco TexSpray EXT HP (the one with the pressurized tank and 2 lines to the gun, one for material and one for air. I picked it up second hand after it had been used for less than one hour by an amateur who decided that doing decorative concrete resurfacing was too much like work. I bought it originally to spray on an elastomeric stucco. No problem there.
My problem is that I’m in the middle of remodeling my own bathroom and need to texture the walls. The literature states that this TexSpray EXT HP unit will shoot an orange peel with drywall mud. My question is HOW? I normally don’t do drywall. I checked with the area Graco factory rep. – I should have saved my dime (or is it a quarter now?). All that I got was that it was more of an art form than a science and not even a bit of advice as to where to start other than to be sure to run 2 gallons of water through the unit before puting in the material. Horse feathers, and chicken teeth!!! Surely we can do better than that on Breaktime.
What pressure should I have in the tank? How thick or thin should the joint taping compound be? How much pressure should be in the air line to the gun? What size tip should I be using on the gun? I would like to match what we have on the walls now – the largest “spatter” seems to be about 1/4″ across. Lastly, what kind of coverage can I expect, i.e.: how many sq. feet/gallon of mud?
Suggestions (nothing raunchy, eh!)? Ideas? Thoughts?
Thanks,
Cliff. Johnston
QUALITY SURFACES
Granbury, TX
Edited 6/30/2002 10:43:47 PM ET by 488
Replies
I've had good luck with my $50.00 "Wallboard" hopper gun from HD using about 20 PSI and a 3/16" tip to give a medium strike down texture. Put about a quart of water to a box of mud. start out with less and work up some trial boards. I think I get about 3-400 sq. feet per box at that setting.
Take an empty 5 gal. paint bucket and empty 1 box of mud (USG PLus 3 is a good choice) and then make sure the mud is settled (kick the bucket a few times), then add 1 1/2" of water. Gently mix with paddle and drill (too much mixing can cause bubbles) until it is a consistant mix. You want your viscosity to be about the same as a medium pancake batter. Try the smallest tip you have first, then go larger if need be. Try some samples -- gently pulling back the nozzle control slightly and then open up larger as it seems appropriate. Also you might try using different pressure settings. Lower pressure will make it lob out and be blobby whereas higher settings will atomize the mix more and give a more feathery effect.