I have done some ceiling sheetrock repair of an area about 48" long 3" or so wide.
The ceiling has a knock down texture like this.
Now that I have applied a few slim coats, the somewhat smooth patched surface is about 52" long and 7-8" wide.
I am ready to do a texture match.
I have looked at a few dozens of youtube videos on how...using a sponge, using a plastic bag, using a special squeegy hawk...
I gave it a try on a piece of scrap sheetrock to experiment with, and the result did not come out as good as what I saw in those videos. So I have some specific questions.
(1) Should I use regular pre-mixed joint compound? That's what I used to patch the small area and that's what I have to experiment with. I saw some videos where they dilute the premix with water, or use a dry mix and get it to a consistency of a pancake batter. How important is the diluting? I kind of want to avoid the mix from falling back over me if it's too thin. But if diluting is important I will do it.
(2) How long to wait? Some videos said 2 minutes, some said 5, some said 15 minutes. I waited 10 minutes. Too long, too short?
The ceiling has a knock down texture like this.

Now that I have applied a few slim coats, the somewhat smooth patched surface is about 52" long and 7-8" wide.
I am ready to do a texture match.
I have looked at a few dozens of youtube videos on how...using a sponge, using a plastic bag, using a special squeegy hawk...
I gave it a try on a piece of scrap sheetrock to experiment with, and the result did not come out as good as what I saw in those videos. So I have some specific questions.
(1) Should I use regular pre-mixed joint compound? That's what I used to patch the small area and that's what I have to experiment with. I saw some videos where they dilute the premix with water, or use a dry mix and get it to a consistency of a pancake batter. How important is the diluting? I kind of want to avoid the mix from falling back over me if it's too thin. But if diluting is important I will do it.
(2) How long to wait? Some videos said 2 minutes, some said 5, some said 15 minutes. I waited 10 minutes. Too long, too short?