Why does nobody talk about using a paint roller for the first coat of mud?

I saw a guy on a job site in Austin roll on his first coat with a thick nap roller about six months ago and thought it was a total hack move. Tried it myself on a ceiling patch last week with a 3/4 inch roller and it went on way faster than a trowel. The texture actually helped the next coat stick better, and I saved maybe an hour on a 12x12 room. Has anyone else given this a shot on bigger areas, or is it just good for patches?

3 comments

3 Comments

seanh912mo ago

Rolled a whole basement ceiling that way last month. Saved my shoulder and the knockdown stuck like glue.

the_thea2mo ago

Nice work @seanh91, that's the smart way to handle it. Using a roller on knockdown keeps the texture even and saves your body. Glad it stuck well for you too.

sage521mo ago

Rolling mud on sounds like something I'd try after three coffees and a misplaced trowel. Might have to swallow my pride and give it a shot.