I LIKE POPCORN BUT NOT ON THE CEILING

 REMOVAL OF POPCORN CEILING TEXTURE

So your ceilings are textured with popcorn style texture. It used to be the rage. How to get it off and then what to do.
Most ceiling TEXTURE will scrape off if they are wet. Take a garden sprayer (pump up) and really wet the ceiling down. Of course you will need to cover everything since gravity is working against you. Use the scraper blade as flat as you can while scraping. The sharper the angle the more damage will be done. Take your time and make sure the surface is very wet. The texture will absorb most of the water. This is very messy. Once all of the texture is off and I mean all of it, let the surface dry and make any repairs that are needed. Sometimes the sheet rock tape will come loose. Just mud it back or put new on it. The fiberglass mesh tape is the easiest to use. If you have some cracks in the ceiling please use paper tape as the fiberglass is prone to show hairline cracks when dry. Then you will need to texture. This requires considerable skill and the right tools. To make the job look right the best is to hire the professional.  However, for the DIY's you can buy a texture hopper at your local Lowes or The Home Depot. Buys some sheet rock mud in a box (usually about 50lbs.) Put it in a 5 gallon bucket and add some water. Enough water to make it pretty thin.  Pour this into the hopper, connect the hopper to a compressor that will provide at least 40 lbs of pressure at a steady rate.  Most hoppers have the ability to adjust the hopper to point at the ceiling without spilling it out. With a little practice you will soon get the feel for an even texture.  It does need to be consistent to look good.  Keep the hopper moving.  This does weigh a bit much so have your strong brawny man do this if you are a woman.  Holding about 30 lbs above your head for a bit will let you know how strong you really are.  This is not meant to discourage you, just let you know what is ahead of you. Let the texture dry overnight.  Now you are ready for primer and paint.  A light orange peel or knockdown style texture can usually be rolled and brushed.  One coat of primer (Latex- BullEye 1-2-3 or Glidden Gripper are the best) and Two coats of paint will be needed.  And VIOLA!!!  A  BEAUTIFUL NEW CEILING!!!!!
On the next Blog we will talk about stripping off that ugly wallpaper (Why did I like that?)
Thanks
Ken
Please feel free to visit our web site (www.kenraderinteriors.com)  Lots of good stuff and things there.