Hopper Guns
A hopper gun is a spray gun with a gravity-fed container (hopper) on top that holds joint compound. Compressed air atomizes the compound and sprays it onto the wall.
Basic hopper guns in the $30-50 range work for DIY. They have adjustable air pressure and material flow settings. Different nozzle sizes let you create different textures.
Higher-end hopper guns ($100+) have larger hoppers, better atomization, and more adjustment options. Worthwhile for contractors, overkill for homeowners doing occasional projects.
I have a Harbor Freight hopper gun that's done three rooms and multiple repairs. Nothing fancy, works every time.
Air Compressors
Spray texture requires sustained air pressure. Small pancake compressors struggle because they can't keep up with continuous spraying. You end up waiting for pressure to rebuild.
Minimum recommendation: 4-6 CFM at 40 PSI, with at least a 6-gallon tank. Bigger is better for continuous work.
My 20-gallon compressor handles texture work easily. It can spray continuously without cycling. Smaller compressors can work but you'll have more pauses.
If you don't have an adequate compressor, rent one. A day's rental for a large compressor is cheaper than buying, and you'll have appropriate equipment.
Nozzles and Orifices
The size of the hole the compound sprays through affects texture pattern:
Smaller orifices (2-3mm): Fine splatter, suitable for orange peel and light textures.
Larger orifices (4-6mm): Bigger blobs, suitable for knockdown and heavier textures.
Most hopper guns come with multiple nozzle options or adjustable orifices. Start with medium and adjust based on results.
Air pressure also affects pattern. Higher pressure creates finer spray. Lower pressure creates larger blobs. The combination of orifice and pressure gives you a wide range of textures from one gun.
Spray Texture Cans
For small repairs, aerosol spray texture cans are the easy option. No equipment setup, no cleanup, just spray and done.
Products are available for orange peel, knockdown, and popcorn. Brands like Homax are common at hardware stores.
Cost per square foot is much higher than bulk compound through a hopper gun. Fine for patches, impractical for whole rooms.
Matching existing texture with cans takes practice. Test on cardboard until the pattern is right before spraying the actual repair.
Rental vs Purchase
The calculation depends on how much texture work you expect to do:
One-time large project: Rent. A day's rental for quality equipment costs less than buying budget gear, and you get professional-grade results.
Ongoing repairs and small projects: Buy basic hopper gun. It pays for itself after a few uses compared to spray cans.
Multiple large projects: Buy quality hopper gun and ensure adequate compressor. The investment is worthwhile.
Big box stores rent texture equipment. Dedicated rental centers often have better equipment at similar prices.
Cleaning Equipment
Joint compound dries hard. If you don't clean equipment immediately after use, it's ruined.
After spraying, run water through the hopper gun to flush out compound. Disassemble and scrub any parts that contacted compound. Dry before storing.
The air passages are particularly vulnerable. Dried compound in air ports restricts flow and affects spray pattern. Thorough cleaning prevents this.
I keep a bucket of water near the spray area. Gun goes in immediately when I'm done. Then proper cleaning before compound has any chance to set.
Other Helpful Equipment
Beyond the spray setup:
Mixing drill and paddle: For consistent compound consistency. Hand mixing leaves lumps that clog the gun.
Strainer: Pour compound through a strainer into the hopper. Catches lumps that would clog the nozzle.
Knockdown knife: If doing knockdown texture, a wide (14-18 inch) knife for flattening peaks.
Drop cloths and plastic: Texture goes everywhere. Cover everything you don't want textured.
Respirator: The overspray is significant. N95 minimum, better respirator for large projects.