Airless paint sprayers make painting a popcorn ceiling easy.
Popcorn ceilings, also known as acoustic ceilings, provide a practical way to cover the dirt, flaws and imperfections in your ceiling. While patching and repainting these ceilings can be quite a chore, you're nearly guaranteed to love the clean, bright look of the finished product. Because of the forgiving nature of popcorn ceilings, you don't have to be a professional to get the look you want. However, the job can be quite a strain on your back, so go ahead and schedule a massage in advance.
Instructions
Patching and Repairs
1. Correct the cause of the problem first. If your ceiling is damaged by mold, leaks or water stains, make sure you've dealt with the original problem.
2. Cover walls, furniture and flooring with large plastic sheets for easy cleanup. Secure the sheets in place with painter's tape.
3. Clean the ceiling with a broom or vacuum cleaner extension. Not only will this help prepare the surface to absorb paint, it will break off any loose pieces before you begin painting.
4. Spray a generous amount of water onto areas where the texture needs to be reapplied. Allow several minutes for the water to penetrate and soften the ceiling texture. Spray multiple times if necessary.
5. Scrape the texture off with a putty knife, being careful not to damage the drywall above it. Let the loose pieces fall onto the plastic below for easy cleanup later.
6. Reapply the ceiling texture. Many home improvement stores sell tubes of patching compound designed specifically for popcorn ceilings. These are ideal for patching areas that measure less than 1 square foot. For larger spots, patch the area with a can of pressurized texture medium. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, as they will vary according to the brand you purchase.
7. Give the texture time to dry thoroughly. Since painting the ceiling will put added stress on the texture, you want to make sure your patches are fully dry before attempting to paint them. Check the directions on the patching product you used to see how long you should wait.
8. Paint your ceiling. Use an airless paint sprayer to provide even coverage and significantly less effort than using a roller. However, both methods work well for popcorn ceilings.
Spraying
9. Water down the paint by about 1 pint of water per gallon. This will allow the paint to come out of the sprayer properly.
10. Fill an airless sprayer with the diluted paint and set it on the lightest pressure possible.
11. Spray the first coat of paint, moving with straight, vertical strokes across the entire ceiling. Once the first coat dries, apply a second coat moving horizontally this time.
12. Cut in the edges of the ceiling with a 2-inch round brush, dabbing the paint straight onto the ceiling instead of applying it with the typical brush strokes.
13. Take down plastic sheets and place directly in a trash bag for easy cleanup.
Rolling
14. Dilute the paint by 1 to 2 pints of water per gallon. Rolling undiluted paint onto the ceiling can cause the texture to stick to the roller and peel off.
15. Roll the ceiling in straight, even strips until the entire is applied. Don't apply the paint in a "W" pattern like you would on a wall. If possible, use a roller where paint is delivered directly through the handle so you don't have to reload your roller frequently.
16. Allow the first coat a few hours to dry.
17.Apply the second coat of ceiling paint, moving in the opposite direction you rolled the first time.
18. Take down plastic sheets and throw away.
Tags: first coat, , plastic sheets, popcorn ceilings, your ceiling