A skip trowel texture is a common hand texture that is found in older homes. It is made through the use of a flat trowel that is skimmed or “skipped” over the surface of drywall with mud. The texture can be described as a thick, sometimes gritty or sandy texture.
Will a skip trowel texture hide imperfections in drywall?
Yes! A skip trowel texture may be used to hide imperfections in drywall.
How to apply skip trowel texture?
After you have completed the steps of taping, topping, and skimming, follow these steps to achieve a skip trowel texture.
Step 1. Wipe down the wall or ceiling area with a damp cloth to remove any dust and dirt from the surface of drywall. Lay a drop cloth, paper or plastic on the floor so as to catch any joint compound that may or may not fall.
Step 2. Mix the joint compound and water in a 5 gallon bucket. Begin with the joint compound and slowly mix in water until it reaches a consistency of thick paint. For a slightly thicker texture, add less water. Be careful to not make the compound or mud so thick that it will not spread properly. **Note: do not mix all the joint compound at once as it will dry quickly and will go to waste.
Step 3. Scoop the joint compound onto the widest edge of the trowel. Work from the bottom of the wall to the top, holding the trowel at a 15 degree angle and making short arching motions. Bend your wrist quickly away from the wall as you remove the trowel to create a “skip” at the end of each stroke.
Step 4. Allow the joint compound to dry for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on its thickness.
Step 5. Look over your work, if there is any joint compound that is dripping from the wall (this happens because of its thickness) then knock it off.
Step 6. Allow at least 24 hours of drying time, if using standard joint compound before you begin painting. Note, the texture must be completely dry before priming and painting begins!
Chat with us live!
Typically, clients request a quick skip trowel texture quote or project updates through text message.