I have drywalled the upstairs portion of my house. The downstairs was drywalled by pros. I need to texture my ceilings upstairs to match the ceilings downstairs. The problem I am having is determining the recipie the pros used to achieve their results. The ceiling has a crows foot texture. (I am pretty sure this is the proper name or the texture effect- it is a type of stipple) The pattern is what I would call light, there aren't any heavy stalagtites of drywall compound hanging down. The questions I have regarding this project are: 1. Since the compound is rolled on before texturing what roller nap thickness is commonly used? 2. What kind of compound is used to coat the ceiling for a crows foot texture? 3. Is it common to thin the compound with water in order to control the thickness of the stalagtites that hang? 4. Do I have to acheive a smooth clean finish on my taping job before I texture, or is it ok to texture after the second coat of mud in the taping process? 5. Is there a resource available that will show you step by step how to create a crows foot texture? 6. What are the advantages\disadvantages to priming or not priming before the textured finish is applied? 7. Is a brush utilized to create the crows foot design? (I think it is but I am not sure) I really appreciate any input or advice that you can give. My intent is to establish what the common practices are for creating this ceiling texture, so I can establish a starting point for practicing this texturing technique. This way through trial and error I can find a similar recipie that will acheive results that are as identical as possible to what the pros did on my downstairs ceilings.

My plastered walls are covered with hair width cracks all aver the surface. It is like a spider web to me but have been told it is called "crocodille skin". What caused it and what is the best way to overcome the problem without having to wallpaper