how to paint popcorn ceiling

These two coats will give you the most even uniform coverage across the whole ceiling—minimum overhead for maximum color refresh. If you’re painting the walls along with the ceiling, you obviously don’t have to worry about covering them and creating a seal with paint. The popcorn ceilings need a thick napped roller to get the paint to the ceiling, instead of just on the popcorn nodules. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. ", information about the thickness of paint, and the best color for type of ceiling. Don your dust mask and protective eyewear and, using a flathead screwdriver, gently scrape about 1/4 inch of the popcorn surface off the ceiling all along the edges. Painting popcorn ceilings is definitely a time when you will want to use a respirator or at least a cotton mask to protect your respiratory system from damage while painting. To determine if you've thinned the paint enough, pour some through a funnel. A paint sprayer is the easiest and fastest way to paint a popcorn ceiling, but it can also be done with a thick nap roller (no lower than 9/16-inch). That will allow you to get the excess paint off your roller so you don’t splatter it as you’re painting. Make sure that your roller extension pole is long enough for you to comfortably reach the ceiling. If your ceiling hasn’t been painted before, the best way to paint it is with a spray gun. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. A friend patched the hole with drywall, but the rest of the. Don’t forget to place drop cloths or plastic on the floor too. There are 22 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Again, heavy duty plastic should be draped on the walls, floors, and furniture to prevent overspray. This helps keep edges wet and allows you to see your progress to ensure an even coat. Cutting in paint where the ceiling meets the walls helps prevent you from getting … Apply the glaze with a roller, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Cheap paint can be OK, but may require multiple coats. For stains, roll or spray paint the stained spot, with the same color the ceiling will be painted with, and let dry completly before painting the entire ceiling. Make sure to read the instructions on how to fill the sprayer with paint carefully. First, always test for asbestos before attempting DIY popcorn ceiling removal (use of asbestos in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints was banned in 1977).You can use an EPA-approved test kit sold in home improvement stores or have a professional come test the ceiling … We can paint the walls as planned. Paint masker. Latex can soak in to acoustic texture vs. oil laying over the top, so latex is a better option. If you don't want the popcorn texture, and removing it is too much work for you, you can cover it up with ceiling panels or ceiling planks. Wait 24 hours for the primer to dry before beginning the next part of the process. If the ceiling looks patchy after two coats, you may want to apply a third coat in third direction for more complete coverage. If you find the paint is running between the shiplap planks, run a screwdriver along edges between the planks while the paint is still wet. Should I use an oil-based paint to paint a popcorn ceiling? This article has been viewed 204,261 times. How To Spray And Repair Popcorn Ceiling Texture Diy Painting Tips Painting over a popcorn ceiling how tos diy complete guide to painting popcorn textured ceilings homeadvisor textured ceiling painting tips you painting over a popcorn ceiling how tos diy. If it’s still too thick, add more water. If the ceiling is in a room that is prone to humidity, such as a bathroom or kitchen, a satin or semi-gloss finish paint is actually the best option. For all of our ceilings, we use Behr’s Flat White ceiling paint, but you can use any color of your choice. Achieved by spraying a mixture of stucco and Styrofoam onto the ceiling, the style was popular at the time as an inexpensive sound insulator and way to hide imperfections. This article was co-authored by Patrick Coye. Although you could use a thick-napped roller, the most efficient way is to use an airless sprayer. If you suspect that your ceiling contains asbestos, painting it may not be a good idea. Make sure to thin the paint before you apply it the ceiling. Popcorn ceilings are used in many homes, especially older homes where there is a desire to hide flaws in the ceiling. You can also choose “slap brush” texture, which involves applying your texture with a paint roller, then going over it with a coat of ceiling paint. Now that your room is prepped and your texture is ready to go, it’s time to finally spray on your popcorn texture. Make just one pass. If the ceiling is a relatively small area, then a paint sprayer may be overkill and take more time in preparation than it’s worth. That means you can have your popcorn, or acoustical, ceiling looking like new in no time. Using a dark color can be a good option if your ceiling is high and gives the room an imposing feeling. Avoid semigloss; popcorn looks bad painted with it, and you lose some of the acoustical dampening. The popcorn effect—so called for its resemblance to America’s favorite fluffy snack—is the result of loose particulate materials mixed into paint and applied to a surface, usually with a sprayer. Again, heavy duty plastic should be draped on the walls, floors, and furniture to prevent overspray. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. This trend can go by many names – popcorn, textured, acoustic – but at the end of the day, it’s a nuisance when it comes to painting walls or ceilings with a bumpy texture. How To: Paint a Popcorn Ceiling. Avoid going back and forth with the roller over the same areas or you may loosen the ceiling’s texture and knock it off. But you can only roll it once and let it dry before I try rolling it again and you can only roll it in one direction. Method 2 - Spray Painting a Popcorn Ceiling Step 1 - Preparation. There is years of smoke residue; should I use something like Kilz to cover it up? With a brush loaded with paint, gently cut in and paint along the edges of the ceiling. If it doesn't pass through freely, add more water. You can usually rent them from hardware stores, home improvement centers, and tool rental companies. Painting your ceiling should be done in a two-step process. If your stucco ceiling hasn’t been painted before, you need to prime and seal it prior painting a popcorn ceiling. Ceiling that have never been painted should be sprayed, as trying to roll is a mess. Just like spraying with paint, spray your texture in long even strokes that overlap by roughly 50%. If you are also going to paint the walls, paint the ceiling first and then wait for the ceiling to dry before painting the walls. Spray in one direction, then the other “Paint the surface going in one direction, making sure to overlap slightly to prevent you from missing a spot,” Delucia says. A flat latex paint is best; you can use a higher-end paint or paint/primer. Spray the ceiling with warm, soapy water, then wait 15 to 20 minutes. Dip your roller into a roller pan, or if you want to go pro, use a 5-gallon bucket with a screen or grid for faster application. Yes, you can! You may have to fill gouges, tape the seams, and sand the ceiling to create the ideal surface for a new coat of paint. It's possible to paint over a popcorn ceiling covered with a wall and ceiling texture product. To date, Patrick and his team have painted over 2,000 houses and stained over 800 decks. Painting the ceiling a color can make a small room seem bigger, or a room with a high ceiling seem more intimate. I bought ceiling paint, right, because I’m painting a ceiling, it makes sense. If you try to apply another coat while the ceiling is still wet, you may wind up pulling off some of the popcorn texture. The easiest way to add glitter to a popcorn ceiling is with a glitter glaze, which is a transparent topcoat that is mixed with glitter. What is the best paint to use for a popcorn ceiling? Asbestos popcorn ceiling can be covered with new ceiling panels or vinyl paint. You can also add other features to make the room look better overall. Paint Over the Popcorn Ceiling Paint in one direction and stop. People who have experience with a paint sprayer may want to use one to do this job. A paint masker allows you to combine the painter's tape and masking paper/film to easily roll out a protective covering over virtually anything. The unique textured finish is achieved by spraying on a mixture that looks like cottage cheese onto the ceiling and allowing it to dry. Painting popcorn ceiling texture is a much cheaper and easier alternative to removal. Plan to do a second coat if you don’t get full coverage in one pass of painting a popcorn ceiling. Plus, the texture proved to be a formidable dust catcher, difficult to clean and repair. Painting a popcorn ceiling is a huge paint drip, splash and splatter experience. A fresh coat of paint can spruce up the popcorn ceiling and make it look better. The better the paint, the less you’ll have to use and the less effort it’ll take to apply it. Removing Stains from a Popcorn Ceiling. Avoid heavy coats that can wet and load the popcorn down, as that can cause it to fall and looks bad. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Painting Specialist. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If you aren't successful in scraping off a portion of the ceiling to color-match, mix up some paint yourself. Choosing the right paint is important, and acrylic paints are not recommended. I wish I would have bought a durable, thicker paint that was a flat white. By Jennifer Noonan. More paint is needed to get into the grooves of textured ceiling paint, but be careful not to saturate the popcorn ceiling too much. Use a feather duster to remove it. That helps it absorb into the popcorn texture more effectively, so it's not as likely to crumble or peel off. If you notice that it’s rounded or has grooves along the edge, it is probably worn out and should be replaced. You screw it into the framing of the ceiling. STEP 2 Prep the ceiling edges to ensure you’ll be able to achieve a neat edge where the ceiling meets the wall. But rather than grin and bear it, why not paint it? Purchase a drywall primer from your local hardware store and apply a coat of primer before you begin to popcorn your ceiling. The texture was sprayed onto ceilings wet, and when dry, covered any imperfections, provided some fire protection, and even dampened sound. Plus, it's just more interesting. "It helped me to know that painting this ceiling is not an option. If the texture becomes soft, the best way to paint it is with a spray gun. Have plenty of ventilation when spraying or rolling the Kilz, as it is very toxic. It actually did a great job. Popcorn is one of the options available and the process involves spraying it on. I moved into this rental not knowing that it is, "Scammers broke a large hole in a bedroom ceiling. The method works, but is extremely messy and I did expose a very uneven ceiling. Before painting popcorn ceilings, it might be a good idea to clear as much furniture from the room as possible. It is affecting my health at 90 years of age. It's possible to paint over a popcorn ceiling covered with a wall and ceiling texture product. After this, you can scrap it with a floor scraper, or a similar bladed tool. Painting Popcorn Ceilings As long as the texture isn’t sagging, flaking, or shedding, a popcorn ceiling can simply be painted to update the look. I didn't have a sprayer to go it and I need to paint this ceiling every time our renters move. Ah, popcorn ceilings. This will ensure you get sufficient paint without needing to continuously reload your roller. Fill any dents or imperfections in the ceiling with spackle, and then apply a coat of primer with a roller. But the rough texture catches lots of dust and cobwebs and it can be difficult to know how to remove popcorn ceiling. Last Updated: September 24, 2020 Spray the paint onto the ceiling in a single direction and consistently, gently moving in a steady motion. Try to use as high quality a paint as you can afford. Thank you for the knowledge. Spray on the first coat in a single direction, moving slowly and steadily, then let the paint dry for 1-2 hours before spraying on the second coat in the opposite direction! Start by emptying the entire room. Test the ceiling’s water solubility. Usually, the rough texture is created with a paint roller with a medium or long nap. A fresh coat will instantly lend a lighter, brighter look sure to open up the room. STEP 5 Since you won’t want to be bending to refill your roller more than necessary to paint popcorn ceiling, use a long-napped roller cover to load on plenty of paint in one swoop. It actually did a great job. When you finish with one strip of the ceiling, overlap the painted section with your next pass over the surface for the most complete coverage. Be sure to hold the sprayer so it’s perpendicular to the ceiling. October 25, 2016, 3:30 AM. When you apply it to your ceiling, your paint color shows through but is speckled with glitter. Oct 19, 2015 - Painting a popcorn ceiling may at first seem daunting. Remember that finishing the ceiling after popcorn removal will be of the utmost importance with this method. STEP 1 Prep your room carefully, since the texture of a popcorn ceiling is bound to cause a good deal of splatter when you roll on paint. If your home was built prior to 1979, your popcorn ceiling may contain asbestos, which is extremely harmful to the lungs. Thanks! Popcorn ceilings were all the rage in the 1970s and 1980s. You'll need to use a roller with a thicker knap (the fibers covering the roller) that's made for textured surfaces. Roll on the paint in the directions of the planks. If your ceiling has never been painted before, you can remove damaged areas by applying water to them and scraping away the damage. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 204,261 times. How do you prevent popcorn ceiling paint from falling off the ceiling? Work in sections when you're painting a ceiling, dividing it into back left, back right, middle left, and middle right, for example. You’ll probably need a ladder to help you get close enough, though. However, DIY expert Amy Matthews explains just how to do it on DIYNetwork.com! Armstrong Ceilings offers an Easy Up® track and clip system which makes installing beautiful ceiling planks over your existing popcorn ceilings very doable. However, in some cases, we cannot stay away from doing so, especially of the surface badly needs a … Can I use Kilz to paint a 30-year-old ceiling? With over 15 years of experience in residential construction, Patrick specializes in painting, wallpaper removal/installation, drywall, staining decks and fences, and kitchen cabinetry painting. As long as the texture isn’t sagging, flaking, or shedding, a popcorn ceiling can simply be painted to update the look. Whats people lookup in this blog: Can You Paint A Popcorn Ceiling With Brush Airless spraying devices are ideal for painting popcorn ceilings, but they can easily make quite a mess. Kilz Max would be good, or Zinser 123. Yes. Prices can range from $12.00 a gallon to $50.00. Be sure to hold the sprayer in a way that it is perpendicular to the ceiling. Use 2-inch masking tape to keep the sheeting in place and to provide a defined edge for the paint. Generously load the roller with paint and apply to the popcorn ceiling in one direction, taking care not to saturate the ceiling with paint—if the ceiling is unprimed, the popcorn texture may absorb the paint, become too heavy, and fall off. Step 6: Spray The Ceiling. The roller has slits in it. I didn't know if I should spray the texture on as it was, or if I should paint the new drywall first. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. References Have a certified asbestos testing specialist examine it and explain your options if asbestos is present. Popcorn ceiling is seen as dated by many prospective home buyers, so modernizing the look of your ceiling by removing the popcorn material and giving it a new lease on life with a fresh coat of paint could definitely help in raising your home’s value, should you ever decide to put it on the market. Ceiling paint is just as expensive as normal paint, but I thought it seemed thinner. In this case, 98% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. 2. % of people told us that this article helped them. A water-based primer can be used before paint, but not always needed if spraying vs. rolling and the ceilings are in decent shape. If you don’t paint regularly, there’s no need to purchase a paint sprayer. Patrick Coye. That will make it easier to wash off any paint drips or splatter at the end of the day. What kind of paint do you use on a ceiling? Most are scraping the popcorn off, then painting the ceiling. By using our site, you agree to our. I didn't have a sprayer to go it and I need to paint this ceiling every time our renters move. Load the brush with plenty of paint but apply with a light touch. Also cover and mask any ceiling fixtures with plastic and painter’s tape. The paint mixture may drip while you are putting it on the ceiling and you don’t want it to ruin your furniture. 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