Asked on Jun 08, 2015

Can I add something to paint to create a "grittier" texture?

Kristine
by Kristine
We bought an older home that has no texture on the walls. They are a smooth finish and paint has a hard time sticking to them. I know I'm going to use a paint in eggshell finish and a primer mixed in. But I'm wondering if I can also add something to the paint so it has a grittier texture? Like sand or grout, or.... ?
  7 answers
  • Tonia Tonia on Jun 08, 2015
    You can buy texture rollers and mud at home improvement stores.
  • Debi53 Debi53 on Jun 08, 2015
    I would suggest that you don't make the walls textured. Unless it is done perfectly, you will have a mess on your walls. Also, most people don't care for textured walls & if you ever sell, buyers will want the texture removed. I think the problem is not with the smooth walls, but with what you are doing with paint. There is no reason paint won't stick to your walls if you use the proper primer. Talk to your local paint store. They can help you with the proper primer & paint.
  • D & K D & K on Jun 09, 2015
    Home Depot and Lowes both offer a sand texture that is simply mixed with the paint. It comes in a bag and it's basically nothing more than a grit finely ground. I've used this in a few homes where we've had to make repairs that matched the existing wall texture.
    • See 4 previous
    • Kristine Kristine on Jun 09, 2015
      Great, thanks! I'll give this a whirl.
  • Darla Darla on Jun 09, 2015
    If you just want a visual texture, you can "rag" your walls with a slightly different color paint over the base coat. It's very easy, just take a rag, get a little paint on it, and apply lightly to the wall. It's better to do a whole section at one time so the "texture" will be even.
    • Kristine Kristine on Jun 09, 2015
      @Darla Thank you. I am an ace at faux painting. But this is not the same thing I'm trying to achieve. I want more than a visual texture, I need a the application to be a little "gritty."
  • Lynn Lynn on Jun 09, 2015
    Is it possible those walls had wall paper on them that has been removed? I had this happen to me, and the paint would not stick to the wall until every bit of invisible, left-behind adhesive was gone.
    • Kristine Kristine on Jun 09, 2015
      @Lynn No, no paper. Just an absolutely terrible uneven drywall/compound job and a semi-gloss paint over it. Because the paint semi-gloss, it makes the uneven drywall job that much more obvious.
  • Deborah johnson Deborah johnson on Jun 09, 2015
    There is a product called Knock Out that is used prior to painting. It is smooth, but textured. Can be found at home improvement stores.
    • Kristine Kristine on Jun 09, 2015
      @Deborah johnson Thank you so much, I'll look into this product as well! :)
  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Dec 21, 2020

    There are lots of posts here on textured walls that could inspire you: Home and Garden DIY Ideas | Hometalk