Cover walls and floors before spraying popcorn ceiling texture.
Popcorn ceiling texture was a popular ceiling treatment in the '70s and '80s. It was a fast way to finish ceilings, and the heavy texture hid most drywall finishing blemishes. Popcorn ceilings are not as prevalent today, but many people still like the look of this retro texture. It is not difficult to apply popcorn ceiling texture, but it is a messy job. However, doing it yourself will save you money over hiring a contractor to perform the task.
Instructions
1. Remove all furniture from the room.
2. Place drop cloths on the floor. Tape the drop cloths to each other and to the baseboards with masking tape. Cover the walls with lightweight plastic sheeting, taping the plastic at the top, bottom and sides with masking tape.
3. Consider the condition of the existing ceiling. If the ceiling is new drywall or plaster, apply a coat of PVA drywall primer with a paint roller. If the ceiling is any color except white, apply a coat of white ceiling paint with a paint roller. Allow the primer or ceiling paint, if used, to dry for at least four hours before applying the popcorn texture.
4. Put on safety glasses, a paint suit and a head covering. Wear shoe covers that encase your entire shoe, as you will be stepping in wet texture mix.
5. Pour half of the recommended amount of water for the popcorn texture mix into a 5-gallon bucket. Add half of the white texture compound to the water and stir with a paddle mixer attached to a power drill. Add all of the popcorn texture next, stirring again with the paddle mixer to fully incorporate and mix the popcorn texture into the wet mix.
6. Add the balance of the recommended amount of water and white texture compound into the bucket and mix with the paddle mixer until all ingredients are combined. Follow the popcorn texture mix manufacturer's directions for the thickness and consistency required.
7. Pour some of the mixture into the hopper. Follow the directions that come with the hopper to determine how much mixture to put in the hopper.
8. Turn on the compressor or the electric texture sprayer. Spray the popcorn texture on a scrap piece of cardboard, adjusting the texture trigger or texture ring until the desired texture is achieved.
9. Spray the popcorn texture on the ceiling, applying a thin coat with even strokes. Cover the entire ceiling in this manner and allow it to dry.
10. Apply additional coats of popcorn texture, if desired, allowing each coat to dry before spraying the next coat.
11. Clean off excess popcorn texture mix from yourself and your equipment with soap and water.
Tags: popcorn texture, ceiling texture, paddle mixer, with paddle, with paddle mixer