You will likely need paint stripper in the process of texture.
A good paint stripper (a solvent mixture made to remove paint and assorted finishes from a given surface) can play a pivotal role in removing texture--as any paint that has been applied to the texture must be removed before the popcorn texture can come off. You'll also need the right tools, a few safety precautions, and a little know-how.
Instructions
1. Prepare the room. This means removing the furniture, laying a plastic sheet on the floor, covering all vents and outlets with plastic sheets (use painters tape to secure the plastic) and applying tape to the wall where it meets the ceiling, all the way around the room.
2. Put on your dust mask and safety goggles. Both your mask and your goggles will protect you from the dust and particles that you are about to scrape off the ceiling. Also, put on your gloves, as paint stripper may burn your hand if exposed to your skin.
3. Pour some paint stripper into a metal container.
4. Set up your ladder, then dip your brush into the paint stripper and apply the stripper to the ceiling texture.
5. Allow the paint stripper to perform its corrosive work. The label on the paint stripper container should tell you exactly how long you need to wait--typically between 15 and 45 minutes.
6. Use a rag or steel wool to rub the now-corroded paint off the ceiling.
7. Wet the surface of the popcorn texture with water. Use the scraper to scrape the texture off the ceiling.
Tags: paint stripper, ceiling texture, popcorn ceiling, , removing popcorn, removing popcorn ceiling