How to Use Kobalt to Spray Texture on Ceilings

Info

Using a Kobalt hopper gun to texture a ceiling adds a decorative element to a room and helps to hide flaws such as poorly taped drywall, sagging joists or cracks. Expect this project to be very messy. Wear old clothes with long sleeves, gloves, protective eyewear and a mask. Wear a hat or rag over your hair.

The size of the spray hole creates different textures.

Things You Will Need

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  • Industrial air compressor
  • Plastic sheeting
  • Painter’s tape
  • Canvas or old bed sheets
  • Pre-mixed, all-purpose joint compound, 60-lb. bucket
  • 5-gallon bucket
  • Measuring cup
  • Water
  • Paint-stirring stick
  • Kobalt hopper gun
  • Rubber gloves
  • Protective eyewear
  • Mask
  • Hat or shower cap
  • Lexan knockdown knife with extendable handle

Joint compound is very difficult to remove once it dries.

  • Rent an industrial air compressor from a hardware store or other equipment rental location. Do not use a home air compressor because it will not provide sufficient enough pressure to propel the ceiling texture.

  • Use painter’s tape to place plastic sheeting over all the windows and cover the furniture. In addition, tape off any door jams or crown molding. If possible, remove any ceiling light fixtures or cover them with taped-on plastic bags.

  • Cover the floor with canvas or old bed sheets. Do not use plastic sheeting for the floor. The texture of the canvas or bed sheets will help prevent slipping if any joint compound falls on the floor.

  • Mix the spray texture. Place approximately half the pre-mixed, all-purpose joint compound in a 5-gallon bucket, add 5 pints of water and mix using a paint-stirring stick. After an initial mixing, scrape the sides and bottom of the bucket and stir again. Remove any lumps; they will clog the spray gun.

  • Attach the Kobalt hopper gun to the air compressor.

  • Set the spray nozzle on the second- or third-smallest hole and fill the hopper of the Kobalt spray gun half full with the joint compound mixture.

  • Put on protective eyewear, gloves, mask and hat.

  • Support the hopper with one hand and hold the spray gun in the other. Hold the gun 30 to 36 inches from the ceiling and depress the trigger halfway. Work across the ceiling in a grid pattern, spraying 3-by-3-foot squares. Depending on your height and the height of the ceiling, you may need a step stool or ladder.

  • Allow to dry for three to eight hours.

  • Mix the second layer of joint compound using the remainder from Step 4 and 3 pints of water. Mix thoroughly to remove all lumps.

  • Use the second-largest spray hole on the Kobalt hopper gun and spray the new, thicker compound according to the same instructions as Steps 8 and 9.

  • Use a Lexan knockdown knife and work in the same pattern to lightly scrap across the joint compound splatters and remove any points. Areas of thick splatters can be scraped more heavily to create a uniform appearance.

    • Tip

    Experiment on old drywall or boards before spray-texturing the ceiling. This will allow you to get a feel for the Kobalt spray gun and practice your technique. Keep a bucket of water and a sponge nearby to wipe up stray splatters quickly.

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