To sand down knockdown texture, scrape off high points with a taping knife, then sand the wall using a medium-grit paper (80 to 120-grit) on a pole sander or orbital sander. Because sanding drywall creates a significant amount of dust, skim-coating over the texture is often an easier alternative.
Smoothing a knockdown texture is best done by skim coating—applying thin layers of joint compound over the wall with a large taping knife. It is highly effective, prevents the massive mess of heavy sanding, and leaves you with a flawless, paintable surface.
The best way to remove wall texture without sanding is to use a skim coat. This involves applying a thin, flat layer of joint compound directly over the existing texture to create a smooth surface.
For textured walls, the right sandpaper grit depends on your goal. Use 80-grit for heavy-duty texture removal, 120-grit for general smoothing and scuffing, and 180- to 220-grit for a final smooth finish before painting.
For knockdown texture, wait 15 to 30 minutes after spraying before "knocking down" (flattening) the mud with a knife. The texture is ready when the shine disappears and it feels set, but not fully dry. For full drying before painting, wait 24 hours.
Sanding Specific Texture Types
How to sand knockdown texture walls: Because of the raised texture, start with a coarser grit and focus on flattening the peaks.
Some people add a small amount of dish soap to drywall mud to reduce surface tension, which helps release air bubbles and create a smoother, more even finish, especially when applying the final "skim coat"; however, this practice is not recommended by professionals as it can potentially weaken the adhesion of the mud ...
Applying Excessive Pressure
Pressing down too hard on your sander is a common mistake. It can be tempting to apply more pressure to speed up the process, but this can create swirl marks, cut-through, and uneven sanding. Excessive pressure also generates heat that causes premature loading of your abrasive discs.
Yes, you generally sand after applying wall texture, but the goal is to "knock down" high points rather than smooth the wall out completely.
The Golden Rule of Sanding means not skipping more than one grit through each step of sanding a surface. This is a basic rule anyone should follow whether they are working with metal, wood, or any other surface. Every scratch you make must be removed by the next finer grit.
Yes, textured walls can decrease a home's resale value, particularly in regions where smooth walls are standard, as they are often viewed as dated or difficult to repair. While common in some areas (e.g., the Southwest), heavy textures like popcorn or knock-down can reduce value by $500–$1,000 per 500 square feet due to removal costs.
To cover textured walls, you can skim coat the surface with joint compound for a smooth finish, apply heavy-duty wall liners to bridge the texture, or disguise the imperfections using flat paint and smart lighting. Skim coating is the most permanent and traditional method.
Yes, you can absolutely paint over textured walls. In fact, it is the quickest and most cost-effective way to update them. Success comes down to using the right, thick-nap roller to reach into the grooves and opting for a matte, eggshell, or satin finish to avoid highlighting the texture.
To smooth textured walls without sanding, the best approach is skim coating using a paint roller and a wide drywall skimming blade. This method fills in the textured gaps and flattens the surface using wet-on-wet leveling, eliminating the need for dusty, labor-intensive sanding.
In most cases, skim coating your wall makes it easier for a painting job to be perfect. It's more like you are prepping your wall before repainting them. This helps remove uneven surfaces and bumps surfaces. If you paint without skim coating your wall, you might have uneven walls and surfaces.
Smoothing a textured wall is best done by "skim coating"—applying, flattening, and sanding thin layers of joint compound over the existing texture. This beginner-friendly method builds a glassy-smooth finish over two to three coats.
You know you've sanded enough when the surface has a uniform scratch pattern, is perfectly smooth to the touch, and all old finishes or surface defects (like scratches and dents) are completely gone.
Are textured walls out of date? Yes, textured walls are becoming outdated. Builders and consumers are moving away from them because they absorb light, make spaces feel smaller, and create challenges for cleaning and repairs. Smooth walls are now the preferred choice for a modern, sleek, and brighter look.
Essentially, the 'trick' involves using a pencil to mark a wooden surface before you sand it. Next, you sand it until no more marks remain. And the idea of the technique is to make sanding even and ensure that you don't sand too much.
When you start sanding, it's important to move the tool in the same direction as the grain. If you sand against it – especially with coarse sandpaper – you may cause splinters or chips. Even if you don't cause larger cross-grain tears, sanding against the grain can still create scratches.
An orbital sander is an option for a large drywall project. This tool is lightweight and can perform the task in less time, but as a power tool it must be used carefully to avoid damaging the drywall surface. Use fine grit sandpaper, between 150 and 180 grit, to achieve the desired results.
What happens if you paint over new drywall without primer? You'll see "flashing" which is visible inconsistencies in sheen between the drywall face paper and the mud joints, which absorb paint at different rates. You'll also burn through significantly more finish paint trying to achieve even coverage.
Dry heat and air flow are the best bet.