QA

Quick Answer: How To Paint A Popcorn Ceiling

Yes, You Can Paint Your Popcorn Ceiling—Here’s How Before beginning, check your popcorn ceiling for asbestos. If there’s no asbestos, shop for tools. Choose a paint in a flat finish. Have your paint thinned. Practice before you begin painting your popcorn ceiling. Cover everything with drop cloths.

What kind of paint do you use on a popcorn ceiling?

Interior acrylic-latex paint is the best type of paint to use for popcorn ceilings. Flat or matte is the traditional sheen for ceilings, since it reduces light bounce. If you need to protect your ceiling from moisture, though, use eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss paint sheens.

Is it hard to paint popcorn ceiling?

While you may not have thought about it before, painting popcorn ceilings can actually be quite a challenge. From texture falling off, to lines in your finish and even paint drops all over the place, it can be quite easy to make a mess of things if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Do I need to prime popcorn ceiling before painting?

Before you paint your popcorn ceiling, you need to prime it to ensure proper paint adhesion. If the ceiling is old, you may need a stain-blocking primer to prevent old stains from bleeding through. Kilz makes a primer especially intended for this purpose.

Is there a thick paint to cover popcorn ceiling?

While no amount of paint can erase a popcorn ceiling, Family Handyman says minor damage can be hidden on rough ceilings with textured paint. Textured paint is thicker than regular paints, and gives your ceiling a texture that overcoats all of the irregularities.

What is the easiest way to paint popcorn ceilings?

Painting a popcorn ceiling is much easier (and faster) with a paint sprayer. But if you don’t have access to a paint sprayer or renting one is not an option, Poellinger recommends choosing a roller that matches the thickness of the texture you are painting.

What’s the easiest way to paint a popcorn ceiling?

Painting popcorn ceiling texture is a much cheaper and easier alternative to removal. Textured ceilings can be painted using a brush and a thick roller or with an airless sprayer, but using a sprayer is by far the easiest and most efficient way to get the job done fast.

What is the cheapest way to cover a popcorn ceiling?

Wooden ceiling planks (or tongue and groove paneling) are another stylish and affordable option for covering up the popcorn ceiling in your home and are quite simple to install, as well.

What is so bad about popcorn ceilings?

The main issue with popcorn ceilings is that they contain asbestos. Homes built before the 1970s likely have popcorn ceilings that contain asbestos. It was only during that decade that a ban on asbestos was passed. However, the ban did not state that asbestos-containing popcorn texture could not be used.

Can I just paint over popcorn ceiling?

One coat can refresh nearly anything—including popcorn ceilings. Popcorn ceilings—also called textured ceilings, stucco ceilings, or cottage cheese ceilings (yes, really)—were a popular alternative to troweled plaster in the mid-20th century.

How do you clean popcorn ceiling before painting?

Steps for Cleaning a Popcorn Ceiling Step 1: Prep the room and yourself. Start by prepping the room. Step 2: Remove the dust and cobwebs. Use a vacuum with the widest brush attachment to gently remove dust and cobwebs from the ceiling’s surface. Step 3: Deep-clean stained areas. Step 4: Paint over trouble spots.

Can you just prime a ceiling and not paint?

Primer doesn’t normally cover as well as paint. It’s good for sealing and creating a uniform surface for later painting, but not for covering.

How do you encapsulate a popcorn ceiling?

To encapsulate a popcorn ceiling is to enclose it with a fire rated architectural membrane without disturbing the surface of the ceiling containing asbestos. A perimeter track has to be mounted to the walls to avoid penetrations and drilling into the ceiling.

Can you put shiplap over popcorn ceiling?

If you have popcorn ceilings and you are looking for a modern look, shiplap ceilings will upgrade your home with class and it’s easy to install.

Is removing popcorn ceiling worth it?

It’s time consuming and annoying, so if you’re bothered enough by it you can have it removed. It’s worth remembering that removing the ceiling in itself will cause a lot more dirt and dust around your home, at least while the work is being carried out. If you’re ok with that, then removing the ceiling is a good idea.

Can I cover popcorn ceiling with joint compound?

You can always swap the prickly texture of your popcorn ceiling with a more contemporary and attractive coat of material. This tactic involves adding drywall mud over the surface of the ceiling, applying joint compound, and lathering on a finish compound with a utility knife.

Can you paint over textured ceiling?

It’s possible to paint over a popcorn ceiling covered with a wall and ceiling texture product. You’ll need to use a roller with a thicker knap (the fibers covering the roller) that’s made for textured surfaces. Put down plenty of drop cloths and wear a hat to avoid paint spatters in your hair.

Can you paint over asbestos popcorn ceiling?

Encapsulation means covering an asbestos material so it cannot release asbestos dust. Asbestos popcorn ceiling can be covered with new ceiling panels or vinyl paint. Spray-on vinyl paint can work, but keep in mind the old popcorn ceiling texture will still be visible.

What is the purpose of popcorn ceilings?

Jared: Popcorn ceiling texture is a spray that’s applied to your ceiling. It was used to cover up a lot of flaws in the ceiling. It was time-effective, cost-efficient, and as you may have heard it called before, an acoustic ceiling. It also served the purpose to absorb sound and reduce noise.

Is there a tool to remove popcorn ceiling?

A scraper: Any 6- to 10-inch drywall knife will work as a scraper, but to make life easier, Lipford suggests a special popcorn scraper tool from Homax ($21.99, Homax), which has a loop to attach a garbage bag, so you can scrape right into the bag instead of onto the floor.

How long does it take for popcorn ceiling to dry?

Dries to the touch in 5-10 minutes and to handle in 10-15 minutes. Allow to dry for 24 hours before painting. Heavier textures may take more time to dry. After use, turn can upside down and press spray nozzle until the spray mist is clear to prevent clogging.