Sand Textured Ceilings

Richie-C

I seem to be running into sand textured ceilings alot these days. Is it just me or is it a PITA to do spot-repairs on these surfaces (match the texture/pattern/swirls, etc). Any tips/tricks? I usually forewarn my customers that the texture may not perfectly match.

Thanks,

Richie

Humble Abode

I have said that on my last 20 estimates. Most people seem to understand.

I think a lot of it has to do with your choice of product.

The texture that you add to paint is junk IMO. You will never get a consistant texture, unless you spray it.

I'm not too fond of the Sheetrock brand texture. Our local paint supplier has a product called Master Builder. It's great, it can be tinted and used as a top coat (i/e doesn't need to be primed).

Usually if you do two coats, (rolling) one vertical and the next diagonal, you get better results too. The only bad thing about that is most sand texture paints have a 24 hour recoat time.

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The NAPP
Milwaukee Painting Contractor

ProWallGuy

IMHO, sand textured are the easiest to repair/match.
I could tell you my technique, but then I'd have to kill you.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

ProWallGuy

All right, I'll tell you anyways.

Scrape off the sand around the area to be patched so your knife doesn't chatter as you attempt a smooth float.

Float area until satisfied its done.

Blend edges with a damp sponge instead of sanding.

Prime area with Gardz.

Mix up sand in a cut pot with white acrylic primer, or finish coat. Just add in small amounts until you get it about even with what's already up there. After doing this a couple times, you will have a better feel for the correct amount by looking at the existing texture.

Swirl it out with a 6" texture brush, or 2 swipes of a 3" sash brush. Dip, and swirl, only 1 per dip. Don't try to spread the sand thin, it will look bad. Slightly heavier is better than thin.

Let dry, overnight is preferred.

When dry, take a 6" stiff spackle knife, and drag it across the new sand. Don't scrape it off, drag it back-handed to knock it down some. This will help it look more subtle when painted (kinda like a couple layers of paint over it).

Dust it off, and paint it, 2 coats is best.

It takes practice, but it does work for me.

For those of you who also do remodels, or work around contractors that do demo, grab some old drywall that was pulled off a ceiling, and test drive on it. Everytime I see a different kind of texture, I get a piece if possible, or try to replicate it on some new drywall in my shop. Practice makes perfect.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

Richie-C

Thanks for sparing my life Pro!

I have been following a similar process, however, I never scraped the surrounding area or knocked it down afterward. Perhaps that will help blend it a little nicer. Also--the damp sponge is defintely the ticket. First time out I tried to sand with a sanding sponge, and it just didin't cut it.

Richie

slickshift

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ProWallGuy

Interesting, thats my wife's ringtone on my cell.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

slickshift

That's quite a witches brew you got there
I think you have a few more steps than I do
I'd bet yours comes out better

Thanks for the great tip PWG