Sandpaper may be required to smooth the ceiling after popcorn ceiling removal.
Popcorn ceiling paint is a joint compound-like paste applied with a long-nap roller. Usually, the paint is applied in a thick layer--this makes it easier to remove by scraping. If a thin layer was applied, sanding may be required. The number of paint layers also matter; several layers are easier to remove since the paint holds the ceiling together, allowing it to come off in strips or large chunks. In addition, paint removal is affected by the underlying ceiling. A popcorn ceiling separates easily from a smooth underlying ceiling, but it is more difficult to remove the popcorn layer from textured plaster.
Instructions
1. Remove all furniture from the room. If this is not possible, move all furniture to one side of the room.
2. Place drop cloths over the floor. If furniture has been moved to one side of the room, place drop cloths over the furniture too.
3. Shut doors leading to the room. If there are no doors, use duct tape to attach plastic drop cloth sheets over the doorways, creating "doors" that prevent dust from leaving the room.
4. Don a face mask and protective goggles. Climb a ladder so that you can access the ceiling.
5. Place the tip of a large putty knife against the ceiling; hold the handle at a 20-degree angle relative to the ceiling.
6. Tap the end of the putty knife handle with a mallet or hammer, using mild to moderate force, until the putty knife blade penetrates the popcorn ceiling paint.
7. Scrape off the layer of paint by placing the blade at the point where the layer of popcorn paint meets the underlying ceiling. In some cases, simply pushing the blade forward by hand will be enough to separate the layer of popcorn paint. In other cases, you will need to repeat steps 5 and 6 many times to remove the paint.
8. Sand the ceiling with a random orbital sander, if necessary. This is often necessary to remove stubborn patches of popcorn ceiling paint. Begin with coarse grit sandpaper, and then switch to progressively smaller grits to give the ceiling a smooth finish. Note that a perfectly smooth finish may not be required if the ceiling will be refinished.
9. Wipe the ceiling down thoroughly with a damp sponge. If you run your finger across the ceiling, and it comes off white, you'll need to wipe the ceiling down again. The dust from the scraping and sanding process will prevent plaster or paint from adhering properly.
10. Refinish the ceiling with decorative plaster, or continue sanding with increasingly finer paper to prepare the surface for paint. When removing popcorn ceiling, keep in mind that the ceiling almost always requires refinishing or, at minimum, painting. If you're painting the underlying ceiling without refinishing, use a fine grit and even a very fine grit sandpaper to ensure the smoothest possible finish and wipe the ceiling down after you have finished the last round of sanding.
Tags: , underlying ceiling, ceiling down, , popcorn ceiling, popcorn ceiling paint, putty knife