basic installation

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The following steps outline a basic installation. Make sure you understand all the steps within this outline before beginning your project. You can change patterns, colors, textures, and techniques to suit your design ideas.

Be sure to review the section on Tools & Supplies and Colorants before proceeding.

The section on Finishing Techniques will demonstrate various textures and surfaces.

stage 1

IF STARTING WITH NEW OR UNFINISHED DRYWALL:
Drywall should be taped, mudded, and sanded to create a uniform surface. Any areas which will not be covered by your stencil pattern should be sanded smooth. It is not necessary to sand areas which will be covered by the stencil patterns.

IF STARTING WITH A FINISHED SURFACE, INCLUDING PAINTED WALLS, STUCCO, and PANELING:
The joint compound will not adhere to glossy surfaces. Scuff up the surface with a power sander to break through the glossy finish. This will give the joint compound something to grip.

APPLY one coat of drywall primer according to manufacturer's specifications. Allow to dry for 24 hours before proceeding to the next step.

PLAN the stencil pattern for your wall. Be sure to account for doors, windows, corners, or other built-in features which may affect your overall design.

PRE-CUT the stencil patterns to length in accordance with your design.

Pay close attention to how the stencils align. Most patterns repeat every 66", however some patterns are designed with an offset alignment. Stencils have a repeating, overlapping design, similar to wallpaper. Each row should overlap and match up to the preceding row. Click here for pattern alignment instructions.

THE STENCIL WILL CURL NATURALLY IN ONE DIRECTION.
ALWAYS INSTALL STENCIL CURL-SIDE TOWARDS THE WALL.

ALWAYS INSTALL STENCIL IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY — DO NOT
FLIP OR ROTATE THE ROWS OF STENCIL

Most patterns will require 3 rows of stencil to fill an 8 foot wall. Working from the top down, ceiling to floor, trim each row to the desired length. Allow at least 10 inches of excess stencil on each end in case you need to make adjustments during installation.

Label each piece so that you know where it goes. Once you have pre-cut your whole design, you're ready to begin the installation.

PROTECT the floor with a drop cloth. Protect adjacent walls and surrounding areas with painter's tape.

MIX the joint compound in a clean 5 gallon bucket. Using a power drill with a paddle blade attachment, mix 50 lbs. of joint compound with 1/4 cup of water for about 30 seconds. Hold the bucket securely with your feet to prevent slipping.

ADD colorant to give your grout joints the desired color. Use the entire container of colorant to achieve full color, or use less to achieve lighter shades.

MIX until color is uniform and without streaks. Do not over mix. It should be the consistency of cake frosting. If the mixture is too stiff, you may add a little water — up to 8 ounces at a time — to loosen it up.

APPLY the material to your wall uniformly, approximately 1/8" thick. You may use a trowel, drywall knife, roller, or sprayer to apply this base coat. 50 lbs. of joint compound should cover approximately 100 - 150 square feet.

RESERVE a small amount of your mixed joint compound in an airtight container. This will be used to repair any flaws before the final sealing.

stage 2

ALIGN & SET the first row of stencil, starting at the top. Make sure the pattern is straight and level, and then lightly trowel into place. The stencil should be slightly depressed into the wet joint compound, and should stick to your wall. Working from the middle outward, smooth and flatten the stencil with a trowel or drywall knife.

REPEAT until the entire design is placed and troweled. Trim off any excess stencil as you go.

IF YOU WILL BE PAINTING: apply a second coat of material to the entire surface. Build your material to the desired thickness, no more than 1/8" thick. This layer of joint compound becomes your final textured surface. You can trowel it smooth, leave it rough, texture it with a loop roller or wool roller, or any number of other techniques. Textures must be applied while the material is still workable.

TIP: if you make mistakes in the application of stencil, you should be able to remove the stencil, smooth out your base coat, and re-apply.

ALLOW TO DRY for 24-hours before proceeding to the next step.

stage 3

FOR PAINTED FINISHES: Latex paint may be used, however strict guidelines apply: use one coat only. Do not apply more than one coat of latex paint. Click here for for more information on using latex paints.

MIX a fresh batch of joint compound as outlined in Stage 1.

ADD colorant to achieve the desired topcoat color. Add a little for pastel shades, and more for vibrant shades. Mix thoroughly.

APPLY the material to your wall uniformly, no more than 1/8" thick. You may use a trowel, drywall knife, roller, or sprayer to apply this finish coat.

RESERVE a small amount of your mixed joint compound in an airtight container. This will be used to repair any flaws before the final sealing.

TEXTURE if desired. This layer of joint compound becomes your final textured surface. You can trowel it smooth, leave it rough, texture it with a loop roller or wool roller, or any number of other techniques. Textures must be applied while the material is still workable.

ALLOW TO DRY for 24-hours before proceeding to the next step.

WARNING: IF YOU APPLY YOUR TOPCOAT TOO THICKLY IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT THE STENCIL.

stage 4

FOR FAUX FINISHES: Additional finishing and coloring may be done at this stage, before the stencil is pulled. All additional finishing techniques should be done before sealing.

PULL the stencil out, working in reverse order. Starting at the bottom, slowly pull out a few inches of stencil.

INSPECT the underside of the stencil to ensure the joint compound isn't sticking to it. If you are pulling up joint compound from your grout joint areas, stop! It needs more time to fully dry.

If the stencil is coming out clean, continue to pull out one row at a time, working in reverse order from your installation sequence.

INSPECT the patterns and grout lines for flaws or defects. Use the saved containers of colored joint compound to touch up any bad spots. For painted finishes, simply retouch any bad spots with the same colors and techniques you already used.

ALLOW TO DRY (if touched up) for 24-hours before proceeding to the next step.

SEAL the entire surface with a good quality clear wall protector, according to the manufacturer's specifications. A matte sealer will generally leave the colors as you see them, unsealed. A satin or high-gloss sealer will boost colors a little or a lot, respectively, and adds vibrance as well as protection.

ALLOW TO DRY for 24-hours minimum, or according to the manufacturer's specifications.