How can I achieve a rough knockdown drywall texture without a sprayer or brush?

Question

I'm finishing the drywall in my garage, so I just want a rough texture so I don't have to worry about doing the taping and layers of joint compound perfectly. From looking at pictures online I like what some sites call a knockdown texture. I don't have a sprayer, and I have no money to rent one, and I don't want to use a brush. I want to get it textured as quickly as possible. And like I said, it's a garage, so it doesn't need to be perfect.

Answer 1

Camoo has it exactly right..make sure when you roll the thinned joint compound onto the walls about every 4 feet you roll..go make and with no pressure let your roller starting from top to bottom roll down the texture all in one direction for consistancy....the hairs/fibers in a roller cover are woven to where if you roll the compound in different directions it will lay out a different pattern...so roll about 4 feet..go to the start of it and let the roller gently roll down the wall with no pressure starting from top to the bottom on the entire 4 feet, and make sure the handle of the roller frame has not been turned and is facing the same way..if you flip the roller frame over..it will leeave a different pattern as well...once you have done this roll the next 4 feet and do the same.after a wall is completed take a 12 inch mud knife and start from top to bottom and lightly drag it down..only do one wall at a time..roll the texture pretty quick for if parts dry in..it wont drag properly

Answer 2

Go to your local home improvement store and check for textured paint.  Or most of them will sell a texture additive you just mix with paint you already have.  We did this to a ceiling once with just a roller.  I've heard of also using sand or cat litter, though I never tried it myself.  Good luck.

Answer 3

An easy way to do a true knockdown finish, like you see in hotels, is with joint compound.  

Use a light-weight type and roll it on with a heavy nap (3/4") roller, forming peeks.  Then use a 10-12" plastic putty knife and lightly drag over the peeks to "knock" them down.  Let dry and paint.