How do you get that 'orange peel' effect on walls?

Question

Is it in the plaster or paint? Is it something an average do-it-yourselfer can do?

I have a finished basement. It's got wallpaper on the walls and all the advice I've gotten is to leave the paper up so as not to destroy the walls underneath. It's some kind of drywall underneath the paper but I'm not exactly sure what kind. I don't want to paper the area - it's really big. If I paint, the seams will show, so I don't want to do that, either. I thought that the 'orange peel' effect will cover the seams nicely.

What special equipment is needed? Please be specific so I buy the right things. Thanks!

Answer 1

My missus has plenty around the tops of her legs, and her ar$e it's called cellulite. But seriously, it's called sponge painting. Buy a good NATURAL sponge from the pharmacy, Dilute your paint slightly, using 3 matching colours, dab lightly in one colour all over. Repeat with the second colour, and then the third.I would recommend that you use a piece of waste wallpaper, and do a tester, so you can practice getting the effect you desire. GOOD LUCK, It's fun.

Answer 2

Remove the wallpaper - you shouldn't ruin the drywall underneath if you do it properly. If the wallpaper is vinyl, peel the vinyl top-layer off first, then wet down the paper layer and it should come right off. If it's just paper, score it and wet it down with hot water - wait a few minutes then start peeling. Whatever you put on top of the paper will probably cause it to blister and release from the wall anyways, so you're better off just getting rid of it from the get-go.

Answer 3

You can buy cans of orange-peel texture spray at the Home Depot (or wherever) in the paint department. It comes with different spray nozzles that spit out different sized bubbles for a coarser or finer effect. Check the can for how much area it will cover. And, use it in a well-ventilated area. Those fumes are strong and volatile.

Answer 4

sparkling the paneling with TSP. Fill in lines with paintable caulking or drywall airborne dirt and mud. Caulk could be much less messy through fact alot of airborne dirt and mud comes from sanding joint compound. Take thinned out joint compound(pancake batter consistancy)and roll on with 3/8th inch curler. enable dry and gently sand with 220 grit sandpaper.Rub the wall with an previous t shirt to gentle out. Have your primer tinted to paint color-best and then paint.

Answer 5

Sponges.

Answer 6

use a big sponge and just dip it in the paint and press it on the wall.