When spraying orange peel texture on walls or ceilings, it’s important to use the right psi (pounds per square inch) to achieve the desired texture. Orange peel texture provides a bumpy, uneven surface that helps hide imperfections. The psi adjusts the size and shape of the bumps. Higher psi results in a more pronounced texture while lower psi creates a subtler effect. Most orange peel textures are sprayed between 1,000-2,000 psi. Consider the look you want and the spray equipment you’re using to choose the best psi for your project.
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What Is Orange Peel Texture?
Orange peel texture, also called knockdown texture, refers to a finish that leaves walls and ceilings with a bumpy, uneven surface resembling the skin of an orange. It’s created by spraying on a coat of drywall joint compound or acoustic ceiling texture using a hopper gun or airless sprayer. The wet texture is then flattened or “knocked down” using a trowel to reduce some of the height. This leaves rounded bumps of various sizes. Orange peel offers several benefits:
- It hides imperfections. The irregular surface disguises flaws in drywall seams, nail pops, and other blemishes.
- It scatters light. Bumps diffuse light to help hide uneven paint coverage or touch ups.
- It reduces echo. The texture helps absorb sound in a room.
The bumpy look provides visual interest and a hand-crafted appearance. It’s a popular choice for ceilings, accent walls, and even furniture. The scale of the texture can range from a very subtle stipple to large nubs around 1/4 inch high. Psi adjustment is key to controlling the final effect.
How Is Orange Peel Texture Sprayed?
A hopper gun or airless sprayer equipped with a nozzle sized for texture is used to spray on a coat of premixed joint compound, acoustic ceiling texture, or orange peel-specific texture product. Joint compound or ceiling texture is thinned with water according to manufacturer directions to create a paintable spray. An air compressor provides the required psi to propel the material through the sprayer and nozzle. The sprayer is held 6 inches to 2 feet from the wall or ceiling surface and moved in a sweeping motion to build an even coat. Once sprayed on, the texture is knocked down using a trowel to reduce the height of the bumps. It’s then allowed to dry fully before painting. Higher psi levels yield larger bumps, while lower psi creates smaller texture.
What PSI Should I Use?
Most orange peel textures are sprayed at between 1,000 and 2,000 PSI. However, the optimal PSI depends on several factors:
Desired Texture Size
- Smaller Texture – 1,000 to 1,200 psi
- Medium Texture – 1,300 to 1,500 psi
- Large Texture – 1,600 to 2,000 psi
Use lower pressure for a very subtle stipple effect with tiny bumps. Medium psi levels will produce more noticeable small bumps. Higher pressures create a very rough, bold texture with larger nubs. Decide if you want a fine subtle texture or a very dramatic accent wall.
Spray Equipment Type
The type of spray equipment and size of the nozzle tip also impact the texture outcome.
- Hopper Guns – Require 1,000 to 1,200 psi.
- Airless Sprayers – Require 1,500 to 2,000 psi to propel thicker texture material.
- Larger Nozzle Tips – Allow more material flow, requiring higher psi.
- Smaller Nozzle Tips – Create back pressure, requiring lower psi.
Refer to the spray equipment instructions to identify the right pressure range. Buying tips sized specifically for texture spraying can help optimize the results.
Material Used
Thicker premixed texture products and acoustic ceilings will require higher pressure to spray through the hopper gun and nozzle tip compared to thinned joint compound or paint-grade textures. Consider the density and viscosity of the material when choosing PSI.
Room Size
The size of the ceiling or wall area you’ll be spraying may also impact the texture results. Spraying a larger surface takes more time, which allows textures to begin drying and settling at different rates compared to a smaller area. Using slightly higher pressure for bigger rooms can help maintain consistency.
How High Should I Spray From?
Most pros hold the sprayer nozzle 6 inches to 2 feet away from the surface when spraying orange peel textures. Closer to 6 inches is best for ceilings, while walls allow you to extend your reach a bit more. Get too close and the texture gets heavier. From too far away, you lose control and get inconsistent coverage. Starting around a foot away from the surface is a good rule of thumb for walls in an average room. Adjust slightly closer or farther as needed to achieve even coverage and your desired texture size.
Tips for Spraying Orange Peel Texture
Follow these tips when spraying orange peel for best results:
- Use painter’s tape to mask off adjacent areas.
- Wear safety goggles, gloves, and a respirator mask.
- Thin premixed texture products with water following package directions.
- Mist the wall or ceiling first with water to help the texture stick.
- Apply an even coat using overlapping passes of the sprayer.
- Maintain consistent distance from the surface as you spray.
- Work in small sections and knock down texture as you go before it fully dries.
- Overlap your strokes slightly to create uniformity.
- Feather out edges to blend spray patterns seamlessly.
- Let dry fully before paint prep and painting.
Carefully monitoring your spray distance, movement speed, overlap, and psi will help achieve a beautifully consistent orange peel texture.
How Much Texture Should I Mix?
Orange peel texture is mixed to a paintable consistency – thinner than standard wall textures. You’ll need around 1 gallon of thinned texture material for every 150 to 200 square feet of walls or ceilings you intend to coat. Mix texture in smaller batches if spraying for the first time to avoid waste until you get a feel for coverage. Premix enough for each wall or section. Don’t leave premixed texture sitting for more than an hour or drying and clogging can occur in your sprayer. Consider room size, texture size, and spray equipment flow rates when calculating how much thinned texture material to prepare.
Conclusion
Choosing the right PSI is important when spraying orange peel texture to get the look you want. Most orange peel is sprayed between 1,000 and 2,000 PSI. Use lower pressure around 1,000 to 1,200 PSI to create a subtler texture with smaller bumps. For dramatic walls with larger bump size, use higher pressures around 1,600 to 2,000 PSI. Take into account the spray equipment, nozzle size, material thickness, and project size when dialing in the best pressure for your orange peel texture application. Starting with a test patch before tackling the entire project can help dial in the perfect PSI. With the right pressure and technique, you can achieve beautifully consistent orange peel texture.
| Texture Size | Recommended PSI |
|---|---|
| Small | 1,000-1,200 |
| Medium | 1,300-1,500 |
| Large | 1,600-2,000 |