any suggestions on how to best match a textured wall finish when patching holes? thus far, i have used a damp cloth to muck up the finish, and it seemed passable (and will probably suffice, since i’m talking about a small hole in a closet wall) but it occurs to me there must be some neat trick i’m not aware of….
stephen
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If it's just a small area, try the aerosol cans sold in paint stores. The can has a variable nozzle so you can dial in the texture you want. Experiment first on a scrap, then, when you're happy, blaze away! (It doesn't cost much either).
Some people would bitch even if they were hung with a new rope.
not sure exactly what kind of texture you have, but i have had some luck using a small piece of carpet pressed into a thin layer of mud. you may have to knock it down with a trowel afterwards to match what's there. haven't tried the aerosols yet but have heard they work.
hope this helps. rich.
I remember reading a short piece, I _think_ in FHB, I _think_ within the last year, about using a toothbrush to blend in the texture of a drywall repair. I can't find it in the index, which may just mean I can't find it in the index or may mean I'm hallucinating. Anyway, I don't remember the technique, but I do remember thinking that it was very clever and should be effective.
The thing I've found about patching holes and getting a good match is it starts with the patch itself. I always scrape away the texture around the hole being patched (roughly 2") then lay in a sheetrock plug with excess face paper to act as the tape. Butter the backside with hot mud, press in, and knife off the residual mud. Any mud that gets on the textured area gets sponged off then daub the spot to knock down any marks in the mud. If the texture is orange peel, the can stuff works pretty well. For brocade, I'll mix up a bit more hot mud (thinner mix than normal) blended with some all purpose and dip a course bristle brush in the mud then flick it onto the area by swinging the brush against my other hand. The mud flies off onto the patch area when the brush stops abruptly against my other hand. You don't want to load up the brush too much to do this but with experimentation, you can get a pretty decent random pattern. I've also tried the carpet trick and it works on some texture patterns as well. It just depends on the texture as to which technique I'll use on any given job. At least in a closet, it's not like it's on the ceiling above a light where it will be obvious if the job isn't perfect. Hope some of this helps...
If ya want to get the best job possible, make a name for yourself as THE person that can best match finishes, and make your clients ooh and aah at your work, then there is a SPECIFIC method for this type of work.
First, ya gotta know what kind of finish is on the wall in the first place. If ya don't know by looking, LEARN this information any way you can, every time you can. And it IS a learning process that takes a while to master. Once you learn the types of finishes that are used in your area, learn HOW these finishes and textures were applied in the first place.
Once you learn what kind of texture and finish is on the wall, and how that particular texture or finish was originally applied, you are halfway home.
Next, scrape/sand a LARGE area around the patch. At least 6" to 8" on each side of the patched area. Once you do this, prep the area to receive the new texture/finish.
Apply the texture/finish the same way, using the same technique as origianlly used on the wall. Be sure to BLEND IN the texture/finish. If it doesn't look right, scrape it off while the texture is still wet and fresh, and try again. You can do this as many times as is necessary to get the repaired area to match the existing finsh/texture.
Now all ya gotta do is match the paint color, or paint the entire wall.
Once you have learned the techniques, types and styles of finishes used, and how to blend them in succesffuly, you will be the talk of the town (seriously). People will be calling YOU to do these types of repairs because they know it will look like there never was a problem in the first place. These types of clients are willing to pay handsomely for someone who CAN make the repairs look like there was never a problem in the first place.
The key is learning about the various types and styles of finishes used in your area. Talk to anybody and everybody that will give you some info. LEARN, LEARN, LEARN.
Just a thought...James DuHamel
J & M Home Maintenance Service
"Southeast Texas"
thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. i think, in this instance, anyway, i will try the scrap carpet or tooth brush and see what happens.
stephen