A coating composition and process of applying the coating to a substrate
are provided herein. The coating composition includes filler particles,
binder and a liquid carrier, such as water. The filler particles have an
average particle size in the range from about 100 to about 600 microns
and preferably in the range from about 200 to about 450 microns. The
coating composition comprises from about 15% to about 50% by weight
liquid carrier and from about 35% to about 90% by dry solids weight
filler particles. The coating composition preserves the acoustic
performance characteristics of the substrate to which it is applied,
while imparting a textured appearance to the substrate, making the
substrate virtually indistinguishable from surrounding panels.