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stucco effect with joint compound???

05:49AM | 02/03/03

Member Since: 02/02/03
7 lifetime posts

stucco effect with joint compound???

Tags: Miscellaneous

I've just drywalled a previously un-finished basement to make a pool room out of it. Because I'm doing all work myself, I'm really dreading the joint/mud work on the walls.
I've seen and heard of people using joint compound and a putty knife to give interior walls a type of stucco effect. But I think it's generally been done in remodeling pre-finished painted walls. Basically, from what I've been told, you take a glob of mud, splack it on the wall and make it as smooth or messy as you want depending on the lok you're going for. Other people use a roller or mop in place of the knife. Does anybody have epxerience with this to know how quick and easy it is.

Because I'm dreading the joint work, and because I would like to do this stucco look if I can find specifics on the process, I'm curious as to if I'm going to do this look, do I still need to finish my joints ahead of time or will this eliminate the need for taping and mudding?

Thanks!
Buster

nycbrycco

11:41AM | 02/03/03

Member Since: 02/02/03
14 lifetime posts

never did this before but have tapped thousands of times if you are going to do this i would recommend adding a little plaster to compund to make it stronger

WhiskeyJim

03:06AM | 02/04/03

Member Since: 01/01/03
16 lifetime posts

My mother had this done to the ceilings in her house, I think it looks great. The guy she had do it (who was an artist by the way) seemed to think it was very easy because of the randomness of the pattern. It is kind of difficult (once you get the hang of it) to make it look bad since there is no real pattern.

I would suggest practicing your technique on some junk drywall first. Once you feel comfortable with what you are doing, have at it.

rpxlpx

03:56AM | 02/04/03

Member Since: 03/13/00
1678 lifetime posts

I did a bathroom ceiling something like that. I put joint compound on thick with a wide trowell and then before it could start to dry, "dabbed" it with a round brush about 5" in diameter. The result looks good and is holding up well.
I wouldn't advise precisely that method for walls because there are points (high spots) in the texture that would get scraped off by bumping anything against the wall.

5slb6

12:10AM | 02/07/03

Member Since: 07/28/02
1358 lifetime posts

A good way to loosen up the mud and to make it dry harder is to add some flat latex paint and you add up to gallon to a 5 gallon bucket of mud.

bass615

01:17PM | 02/07/03

Member Since: 02/06/03
8 lifetime posts

I did my hallway in this manner and it turned out well. Use a trowel to apply a thin[less than 3/16th in., any thicker will possibly crack or fall off] coat of drywall compound directly from the bucket doing a reasonably uniform covering and, using the trowel as well, make a swirling type of motion to form a loose pattern. Try not to leave any dabs that are pointed as they will dry to a painful texture. Smooth is better.Once dry apply paint. I used a semi-gloss which helps to give a smoother texture to the wall. It has been very durable[3 children in the house] and is easy to repair if damaged. Just keep some joint compound handy and touch it up.

bass615

01:21PM | 02/07/03

Member Since: 02/06/03
8 lifetime posts

Forgot to say you should tape the joints before applying compound to walls to avoid they're showing. Doesn't have to be pretty. Just to fill the crack between the drywall panels...

busterw

03:38AM | 02/08/03

Member Since: 02/02/03
7 lifetime posts

Thanks folks for all of the advise! I think I have the idea behind it noww and will soon start practicing on my scrap drywall for the effect I want.

Thanks again!
Buster