Orange peel texture is a type of drywall texture that is sprayed on walls and ceilings. It creates a surface that is reminiscent of the dimpled skin of an orange and is smooth to the touch.
Commonly referred to as “eggshell” or “splatter” texture, orange peel is typically used for interior walls and ceilings.
There are four main types of texture used for interior walls and ceilings, namely:
- Orange peel texture
- Knockdown texture
- Popcorn ceiling texture
- Skip trowel texture
- Flat or smooth finish
Orange peel drywall texture gained popularity in residential construction in the southwestern United States during the 1980s.
What Is Orange Peel Texture?
During the application process, drywall texture is pumped through a long hose, while a high-pressure air line runs parallel and mixes with the texture.
As the texture is forced through a special spray nozzle by the air pressure, small droplets of drywall mud are splattered onto the wall surface.
The texture, upon drying, resembles the peel of an orange.
Drywall Texture – Quicker, Easier, Cheaper
Contractors favored the use of orange peel texture because it can be applied quickly and easily with a spray, as opposed to applying multiple layers of skim coat to achieve a smooth finish.
While it was initially popular, other methods have since replaced it, and it is now primarily used in the construction of large commercial buildings and hotels.
However, understanding how to apply, repair, and remove orange peel drywall texture is still important, especially for those renovating homes built in the latter part of the 1900s.
In this article, we delve into all aspects of orange peel drywall texture, including its benefits and application techniques.
The Benefits of Orange Peel Texture Walls
Despite being considered somewhat dated, orange peel texture offers several advantages:
- Durability: Orange peel finish makes walls more durable.
- Camouflages Defects: It protects walls from dings and cracks, hiding imperfections effectively.
- Easy Maintenance: Simple cleaning and maintenance make it popular for commercial use.
- Simplified Application: It can be applied with a single spray, eliminating the need for multiple layers of skim coat.
However, one drawback is that it is challenging to match orange peel texture precisely due to various factors like temperature and humidity during application.
Recreating the exact conditions of the initial application is virtually impossible.
How to Apply Orange Peel Texture to Drywall
If you have the right tools, a bit of guidance, and some practice, achieving excellent results is feasible. Here’s what you need to know:
Tools for Applying Orange Peel Texture
Begin by preparing your tools:
- Plus 3 Drywall Compound: A type of drywall mud that weighs 25% more but has less shrinkage
- Mixer Drill and Paddle
- Texture Sprayer: Preferably Wagner Power Tex, which does not require an air compressor
- Painter’s Plastic & Tape for room preparation
- Drywall Sander
- Dust Mask
Prime Your Walls
- Once your sheetrock is hung and taped to a level 4 finish, use a sanding pole to sand the walls and ceilings.
- Remove all dust and debris for a clean and flat surface.
- Prep the room by covering outlets, taping over light switches, plug vents, and covering the floor with poly or drop cloths.
- Use a high-build primer to cover surface imperfections before applying the orange peel splatter.
Mix Your Mud – Fill the Hopper
- Fill a 5-gallon bucket halfway with drywall mud and gradually mix in water using a mixing drill with a paddle attachment.
- Achieve a consistency akin to pancake batter – thin mud without being too soupy. One bucket of mud per room should suffice.
Do a Test Piece – A Mock-Up
- Start with an orange-peel wall texture test or mock-up board on scrap drywall to assess your readiness for the spraying process.
- Adjust various elements in the process, such as the air valve and the consistency of your splatter.
Spray Texture on the Drywall
- Similar to splatter knockdown, texture mud is pumped into a special adjustable spray nozzle through a long hose.
- A high-pressure air line runs parallel to the hose and feeds into the nozzle, causing the mud to splatter into thousands of tiny droplets.
- These droplets merge upon landing on the wall, forming a consistent layer that dries into an orange peel-like texture.
- Always use the smallest tip on your sprayer for smaller droplets. The nozzle tip for orange peel is smaller than that used for a knockdown.
- Maintain consistent spraying across the entire surface you are covering. Set your air compressor to 100 pounds for optimal results.
Orange Peel Wall Texture Spray Tips
- Position your texture spray gun approximately 3 feet from the surface you are spraying.
- Avoid stopping until the entire space is covered, maintaining a steady motion for consistency.
- Overlap around 50% on each pass, starting with a thin, even coat and adding more texture as needed.
- For small areas, use a hopper texture sprayer gun.
After spraying, allow the orange texture to dry. If not already done, prime and paint the surface as usual. Using a roller instead of a hopper gun may yield less satisfactory results.
Orange Peel Texture vs. Knockdown Texture
These two drywall textures are similar, but orange peel is slightly easier to apply.
While knockdown texture involves an additional step of “knocking down” the sprayed-on texture, orange peel is finished upon application.
Knockdown texture excels in terms of ease of patching and blending for repairs, while orange peel is more challenging to match precisely. Applied over a small patch, it tends to stand out, unlike the seamless appearance of knockdown texture.
A similar comparison can be made to popcorn ceiling texture, where the final finish is sprayed, and the resulting pattern becomes permanent. Patching such ceilings during drywall repair is also challenging, similar to orange peel texture.
How to Remove Orange Peel Texture
Now that you understand how to apply orange peel texture, let’s explore how to remove it.
We recommend using an electric drywall sander attached to a shop vac to minimize dust generation during the removal process.
Begin with a low-grit sanding disc, preferably 60 or 80 grit, and gradually progress to a finer grit, such as 180 to 240, for a smoother surface.
Usually, one pass is adequate. Inspect your work visually and by touch for any remaining rough spots. Shining a light on the wall can reveal imperfections you might have missed.
If you are not satisfied with the smoothness, apply a skim coat over the wall texture to restore flat walls.
Orange Peel Texture Repair Methods
Even for a weekend DIY project, tackling a wall or ceiling repair with orange peel texture is not overly difficult. However, even experienced homeowners may need some practice to match the original texture precisely.
The biggest challenge lies in achieving an exact match to the original texture. Consider practicing on a test piece first to gauge how closely you can replicate the texture.
For repairs, you can opt for an orange peel texture repair spray can. The product by Homax, available in a 20 oz. aerosol can with an adjustable nozzle, offers a low-odor, water-based formula.
You can choose between a rolled-on orange peel or a spray application. For small repairs covering around 10 to 15 square feet, specific products are available.
Orange Peel Texture Repair Prep
Begin by identifying and repairing any underlying damage to the gypsum board, wallboard, or plaster. If dealing with texture-related issues, like abrasions or gouges, start by repairing the area with spackle or a ready-mixed wallboard joint compound.
Once the repair is complete, apply your favorite paint colors to the texture. It doesn’t have to be orange paint!
Roll on Orange Peel Texture Without a Sprayer
For those who prefer a DIY option without the mess of a sprayer, you can achieve an orange peel wall texture using an orange peel texture paint roller with a thick nap. This roller creates the look of a textured finish, suitable for accent walls or entire rooms.
Now that you’ve gained insight into orange peel texture and its repair methods, you can confidently undertake your next home improvement project without hesitation.
For further reading, explore other popular drywall products:
What You Need to Know About Ballistic Drywall
Sheetrock Vs. Drywall: The Guide to Gypsum Panels
Green Board: The Basics of Water-Resistant Drywall
Additional Resources:
Is Orange Peel Wall Texture ‘Dated’? – Houzz
Homax 20oz. Water Based Orange Peel Spray Can – Home Depot
Referenced Products:
Homax Aerosol Orange Peel Wall Texture – Water Based, 10 Oz.
Orange Peel Texture Sponge
Homax Wall Texture
Wooster 9″ Roller with 3/4″ Nap
tag: # Orange Peel Texture Guide
