Make a Knockdown Texture Tool
Drywall textures add character to walls and ceilings. They also hide a multitude of flaws in wood frame construction, improper drywall taping and floating (or drywall finishing), and repaired drywall seams. There are many drywall texturing techniques and it’s really an art form unto itself. Why not make a knockdown texture tool guaranteed to be unique?
A knockdown texture gets its name from the method of application. The craftsman uses a tool to apply and raise the texture into peaks on the sheetrock surface in the first step. Then in the second step he uses a broad drywall floating knife to “knock down” the peaks.
One very popular tool is a crow’s foot texture tool or stomp brush. It works well, but why take the ho-hum route? Read on to learn about developing a signature texture pattern!
Knockdown Texture Tool Material List
- 1’ X 1’ piece of 1/4” or thicker Plexiglas
- Large kitchen cabinet drawer pull (handle); approximately 1 1/2” wider than a hand.
- 3” of 1/2” wood dowel
Tool List
- Electric drill with bits
- Dremel tool or Roto Zip with bits
- Permanent marker
Design and Cut Out the Drywall Texture Tool
A bucket is used when texturing the drywall. Since the tool will be dipped into it, the Plexiglas needs to be more or less round shaped and of a size that will fit into the bottom of the bucket. (See the photo; this one was made to fit a drywall compound, or mud, bucket.)
- Note: all drilling and cutting must be done very slowly and carefully.
- Use the marker to sketch out the basic round shape.
- Draw some curvy designs around the inside of the round shape (see photo).
- Locate the center, and using that point, determine where the two handle bolts will go.
- Drill these two holes (bit size depends on supplied bolts).
- With the marker, freehand random shapes on the Plexiglas to cut out. Don’t use up too much real estate; it will compromise the texturing tool’s strength.
- Now, drill pilot holes to insert the Dremel or Roto Zip’s cutting accessory bit.
- Cut out the shapes.
- Cut out the outside edge.
- Stick the bolts through their holes
- Measure and cut dowel pieces to take up space difference so that the bolt heads will flush up on the Plexiglas surface and allow the handle to be about 1 1/2” from the texture tool's surface..
- Drill holes (slightly larger than the bolts) through the center of the dowel pieces.
- Assemble the kitchen cabinet handle onto the tool.
Using the Drywall Texture Tool
- Holding the handle, push the texture tool into the bucket of drywall mud just enough so that the mud barely starts squishing into the patterns.
- Push the tool onto the sheetrock surface evenly just enough so that it makes good contact.
- Pull the texture tool away from the wall to raise the peaks.
- Continue for about a 4’ X 4’ section, overlapping the edges and alternating the hands position for more randomness.
- Carefully and lightly drag a wide drywall floating knife across the peaks at a 45 degree angle to “knock down” the texture.
- Repeat the above steps.
- Paint the wall or ceiling.
Drywall texture – it’s a beautiful thing!
Kelly Smith - Kelly has over 30 years experience as a journeyman carpenter and 20 as a freelance writer and photographer.
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