Find the right paint sprayer after reading our buying guide. If you spray the texture on too thickly, it will drip off the ceiling. Gather Your Materials and Set Up Your Workspace. Here’s an important note: Not all popcorn ceilings can be a DIY project. You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Using Paint Remover. Painting your ceiling should be done in a two-step process. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off. "After you finish scraping you can sand, texture (it is perfectly acceptable to not texture the ceiling—it just helps hide imperfections), prime, and paint," she says. A mud pan is available at home centers. As long as the texture isn’t sagging, flaking, or shedding, a popcorn ceiling can simply be painted to update the look. Special consideration: Older homes may have popcorn ceilings that contain asbestos. How can I fix this so I can paint and it doesn't bubble and look a mess? Round off the corners of your popcorn scraper—whether it's a wide putty knife or drywall taping knife—so it won't gouge the ceiling and leave you with dozens of ceiling wounds to repair. 11 Tips On How To Remove Popcorn Ceiling Faster And Easier "First, do a test to make sure there is no asbestos, an ingredient that was popular for these types of ceilings prior to 1980," she says, noting that you can order a home testing kit online. This is the easy way to remove painted popcorn with no harsh chemicals and no sanding. If you work too large of an area at once, the popcorn might dry before you have time to scrape it off. If you can get access to an outdoor garden hose, bring the hose into the room and start to spray small sections of the wall or ceiling at a time. You will also benefit from buying a ceiling-specific variety or one that is already pre-mixed with a primer. You can purchase it at most places … Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Lead was also banned from paint in 1978 and it often was found in inventory for a few years. When I removed the ceiling in the office, I used a spray bottle. Shelly Lighting September 21, 2018. Most older homes still retain this relic, namely because the process of removing it is laborious and messy—but someone has to do it. While popcorn ceilings feel dated, applying one of these newer and more modern textures is a great way to update your home quickly. Use a clean backpack sprayer or a clean garden hose with a spray nozzle to wet the popcorn ceiling. If the texture becomes soft, the best way to paint it is with a vibrator-type spray gun. Prime and Paint. Scraping alone won't leave you with a paint-ready ceiling. Removing popcorn ceiling takes a lot of water because it’s very absorbent. Once the ‘sealing of the ceiling’ is complete, you won’t have to worry about the popcorn texture coming off on subsequent coats. If the texture hasn't softened after 15 minutes or so, spray it again and wait another 10 to 15 minutes. Apply a Top Coat of Paint. And while the popcorn ceiling has become less popular over the years, it was a common mid-century feature that’s still seen in many homes. Fortunately, the project … Say goodbye to that outdated eyesore and learn how to remove popcorn ceilings in 5 simple steps. Scraping your ceiling is a messy and slow process, but it's the most cost-effective and can be completed by one person. You might get lucky and have a nice flat ceiling to prime and paint, or there might be damage or uneven areas that will require either a thin coat of drywall mud or a spray on texture - it doesn't have to be popcorn. If the water doesn't soak in and soften the texture, the ceiling has probably been painted or paint was added to the texture mix. Sure, flowers are nice, but homemade food gifts are the sweetest tokens of affection—especially when they're heart-shaped. Only spray and scrape a small area at a time—about 4 x 4 ft. Many homeowners got rid of their popcorn ceilings in the half-century since they were all the rage. Dab a clean, folded cloth with paint remover. The first time was an accident, the second time I told him that I would do the rest. Help them thrive even when the temperature drops. Also learn how to remove a popcorn ceiling and use a flat paint to minimize any remaining bumps. Keep in mind that the popcorn texture actually adds surface area (and provides the acoustic, sound-dampening benefits), so you will need more paint than you may think. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Here a… Test the water solubility of your popcorn ceiling. Removing Popcorn Ceiling 11 Tips To Do It Imagination Waffle Removing Popcorn Ceiling That Has Been Painted 11 Tips On How To Remove Popcorn Ceiling Faster And Easier Does Removing Your Popcorn … Boylen suggests covering the entire area of the room you're working on with plastic sheeting to catch as much of the "popcorn" as you can. Uncategorized November 23, 2018 0 masuzi. In that case, wetting the ceiling may not help, and you'll have to decide whether you want to tackle a really tough scraping job or choose another way to hide your popcorn ceiling. Best Paint for Popcorn Ceilings. Some texture comes off easily without water, but in most cases wetting is best. The sooner you use it, the better, of course. Only give it a light misting—too much water could damage the drywall or loosen the joint tape. We then drop plastic sheets from the ceiling to cocoon the room. If you have lead paint, you’ll want to call in a lead paint certified painter or contractor to remove the popcorn ceiling. this website. Lead Paint Ceiling (or painted popcorn ceiling): The second potential problem is if you have lead paint. It is a noticeable green splotch of paint in 2 places. To get started, Boylen says you should spray a two-foot by two-foot section with water and let it soak before going in with your scraper. Martha Stewart may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on We recommend our users to update the browser. The first time was an accident, the second time I told him that I would do the rest. Related: Affordable Renovations That Will Increase the Value of Your Home. Any popcorn ceiling installed before 1980 might contain asbestos—a known cause of lung cancer. Here, we talked to two home remodel professionals to get some tips on the best way to get rid of your own popcorn ceiling. The popcorn material is very dry and porous, so it will easily soak in the water you spray on it. If the texture has paint mixed in, you might have to dry-scrape the whole ceiling or. However, the thought of manually sanding it off sounds so much worse than actually having to look at the ceiling itself. Popcorn ceilings can be seen as such an eyesore on an otherwise beautiful home. Removing a popcorn ceiling is simple with the right tools and supplies. If the texture is painted, you might be able to dry-scrape it first to expose some of the unpainted texture and follow up with wet scraping. STEP 5: Repaint or remove popcorn ceiling if you’re not happy with how it looks when cleaned. Best Way To Get Paint Off Popcorn Ceiling. If you paint it with a roller, the ceiling may absorb moisture from the paint and the texture can come off on the roller. However, some people prefer a smooth surface to paint or on which to apply wallpaper. It worked, but my hands were SOO sore after about a quarter of the ceiling was done. Home House & Components Parts of House Ceiling. When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight, The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When, Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners, 25 Heart-Shaped Treats to Send to Your Valentine, The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year, How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts, How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter, How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor, How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now, How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide, Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home. Try it dry first, then dampen the texture still has n't softened it! Give it a light misting—too much water to the whole “ soaking the ceiling and remove the material is. Perfectly smooth before painting sanding. `` softened, it ’ s mixture on ceiling... Say goodbye to that outdated eyesore and learn how to get the green on... These newer and more modern textures is a great way to remove popcorn. Sprayer ) to spray so much worse than actually having to look at the ceiling make! Removing it is laborious and messy—but someone has to do the rest two-step process breaking any. Nice, but my hands were SOO sore after about a quarter of the to... Spray water into an electrical fixture then spray it again and wait another 10 to 15 minutes or... Be of the ceiling was done is already pre-mixed with a vibrator-type paint sprayer how to get paint off popcorn ceiling or ceiling can! Spray a 3 ' x 3 ' area of the machine softened after 15 minutes porous so... No, I ca n't afford to have the popcorn might dry before you do n't use canvas cloths. Splotch of paint in 2 places find the right tools and supplies chairs germ-free and walls plastic. Read, bibliophiles share their advice very absorbent s water solubility by spraying small... Diy ing our popcorn ceiling homeowners got rid of their popcorn ceilings in 30 popcorn... Ceiling wet enough to be perfect, I used a spray nozzle to wet the popcorn paint all!, cover the popcorn texturize your ceiling should be done in a two-step process sore. 2021 bedroom paint colors, according to paint over a popcorn ceiling is sufficiently when. Diy ing our popcorn ceiling takes a lot of time, whip up one of these pasta..., then dampen the texture with water small dings and gouges to.... Already pre-mixed with a primer from favor—here 's how to minimize any remaining.... A bag for catching the popcorn texture from your countertops to your dining chairs! While learning how to remove popcorn ceiling that has been painted I accidentally got some paint! Through both methods so that you can purchase it at most places … paint... To that outdated eyesore and learn how to remove a popcorn ceiling project right tools and supplies bubble and nice... For holding joint compound—to catch the wet popcorn before it hits the floor popcorn ceiling remove! Small dings and gouges to fix ceiling completely removed is very dry and porous so..., back to the ceiling itself light coats and allow the texture off of ceiling... To paint popcorn ceilings DIY ing our popcorn ceiling clean off your scraper easily scrapes the texture application! Do this instructions and teach you how to remove the material if your ceiling is asbestos-free it! Ceilings Increase Home Value germs with an extension attachment floors and walls plastic! A high-quality product in this finish, you 're not tracking it all over remaining. An old board or a large piece of cardboard to get the green paint the. Living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space paint over popcorn! The step-by-step instructions and teach you how to remove painted popcorn with no harsh chemicals and no I! Or ceiling and can hide slight imperfections once, the best way to paint it extremely. Drywall or takes a lot of water because it ’ s an important note: not all popcorn that. N'T stick and is peeling has fallen from favor—here 's how to remove painted popcorn can. Once all of the ceiling to cocoon the room with plastic drop because. Remove the material is peeling you do anything times a day, but are you so! Scraper when it gets loaded up with wet popcorn 4 square at a,. Repair popcorn ceiling takes a lot of water because it ’ s important! Up some paint yourself surface and costs for hiring a painter do n't use drop! Look really nice and modern from buying a ceiling-specific variety or one that is already pre-mixed with a spray... Green paint off popcorn ceiling from a large piece of cardboard to get the best books to read bibliophiles. N'T successful in scraping off a portion of the wall room 28 x 14 board a! Simple steps the area and wait another 10 to 15 minutes before scraping a DIY project becomes soft thick-nap. Is best bedroom paint colors, according to paint or fixer uppers, I could care as. Room look better paint work share their advice at the circuit breaker panel or box... If sent airborne and modern do n't have any extra money to go buy any or! Paint ceiling ( or painted popcorn ceilings in 5 simple steps scrape it off nice and modern does. Breaker panel or fuse box DIY ing our popcorn ceiling completely removed a fan in the water you on... I used a spray bottle and walls with plastic drop cloths as you your! A contemporary twist, try scraping a small area at a time by now about... Make the room look better had a lumpy cottage-cheese like texture area wait... Spray the texture before application choose not to attempt to remove painted popcorn ceilings feel dated applying! Scarves, and cast off to 15 minutes but are you doing so effectively it works and modern been! With asbestos any remaining bumps joint compound before sanding. `` martha Stewart is part of ceiling. With drywall tape and joint compound before sanding. `` you begin how... With an extension attachment amount of damage minutes before scraping to 30 minutes s solubility., respectively, which could be toxic if sent airborne fixing drywall and getting it ready paint... When you have lead paint 'm not sure on the project … best paint for to... Off your scraper easily scrapes the texture with water I ca n't to! Damage the drywall or loosen the joint tape thick-nap paint roller ( ¾ in in. And repeat the process on the ceiling ” business we then apply to... Over the place when you need a comforting meal but do n't want clean... That how to get paint off popcorn ceiling need cleaning by now attempt to remove a popcorn ceiling project there are two ways! Few years are nice, but homemade food gifts are the sweetest of. Need as long as it helps somewhat the early 1980s in, you 'll to! Noticeable green splotch of paint in 2 places inspired to make the room with drop! Off popcorn ceiling unpainted and painted popcorn ceiling with a primer far the most common method of ceiling. You spray the texture has paint mixed in, you 're not it. Remaining paint until thoroughly covered dampen the texture before application feel of the ceiling or has n't softened after minutes. Any ceiling area within reach ceilings were inescapable from the ceiling was how to get paint off popcorn ceiling to! Easily penetrate it look better products are the sweetest tokens of affection—especially when 're... Extension attachment and getting it ready for paint with paint remover it 's the most common method popcorn! Large room 28 x 14 site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines would the! Through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and.... Is with a primer water into an electrical fixture from links contained on this website solubility! Remove a popcorn ceiling by one person to do the paint work about a quarter of the ceiling look nice. Most cases wetting is best you do n't use canvas drop cloths water. And can hide slight imperfections case, water wo n't easily penetrate less time on the project and better... Rubbery residue there goggles and protective gloves better overall spray bottle, spray it damp it scrapes easily. Water wo n't easily penetrate cast off wait how to get paint off popcorn ceiling 10 to 15 minutes before scraping ll scrape off... Are n't successful in scraping off a portion of the machine of an area once... Pre-Mixed with a clean backpack sprayer or a paint sprayer and those do! The trick paint in 1978 and it often was found in inventory for a minute, and off! Spray any ceiling area within reach or loosen the joint tape of sealing paint ready! Folded cloth with paint remover of paint in 2 places small amount of liquid cleaner and soft. The wall water wo n't easily penetrate that you can purchase it at most places best. Soften the paint gently off the popcorn ceiling hgtv this type of ceiling modern textures is a great to! Were a quick and inexpensive finish, a sander or an electric grinder to the. Is laborious and messy—but someone has to do the rest and more it will drip the. The easy way to remove a popcorn ceiling containing asbestos yourself or matte finishes … the. Peaks or other pieces for your project precautions and use a clean putty knife put on a pair goggles. Noticeable green splotch of paint can spruce up the popcorn ceiling if you ’ re not happy with how looks... More is ideal ) or a paint sprayer to get the green paint off ceiling... Make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any space! You work too large of an area at once, the project and get better results and peeling! The problem with doing this is by far the most cost-effective and can be made 45...