How to make popcorn ceilings smooth?

[Farmer17]

I have been a construction contractor for decades and it is simple work but nasty so I would pay someone to scrape it off, and a couple of guys at 15 bucks an hour would be the best money you ever spent. Then do light hand trowel texture over the ceiling to even it up, which goes very fast and is not difficult even for a beginner.

 

[THEWELSHM]

I own rentals and work for a Large drywall metal framing company. We use warm water through an Airless spray rig. Spray mist 2 passes it scrapes off ( if it hasn't been painted) easily , In fact I'm going to be doing my garage next week to make room for new loading station Anyway I digress If the ceilings have been painted either apply bonding agent and skim smooth with drywall mud, and texture or hang another layer on it and spray. IF it comes off per method1 you could be shot out and cleaned up in hrs ready for paint. Wear a respirator if you go that route or hire a couple of finishers. Good lck.

thewelshm

 

[arjay]

Im amazed there are any popcorn ceilings left.We got rid of most of it around here in the 70s and 80s.

 

[4011]

Spray it with water from a pump up sprayer. Buy the tool to remove. Put a wooden handle in the tool. Attach plastic grocery bags on the tool as instructed. Scrape it away. You will have to touch up a bit. Should take an hour to do a room. Easiest way is to have the room empty. Otherwise cover floor and furnishings with plastic. If you cannot get the tool in your area Il send you one. One other thing. If the popcorn has ever been painted it's the four inch putty knife blade and much sweat.

 

[rwsmith]

The stuff is good

The stuff is very good as an acoustic material for ring and echo, but I grew up without it and I'm not damaged in any way.

 

[finesse_r]

I would use a computer controlled, upside down, narrow band popcorn ceiling sander. The gas powered ones are more powerful, but a lot heavier than the electric ones.

 

[Smitty357]

Remove ur furniture in the room if u have any. Take some plastic visqueen and cover the floor of the room (if its carpet). Get a sprayer or a water hose and nozzle that u can put on sprinkle. Wet the ceiling down pretty good. Doesnt have to be a ton of water, but at least damp it pretty good. Then take u a scraper and scrap it all off onto the floor. Be careful because the visqueen will get slippery when that stuff starts hitting the floor. Repeat until its all gone.

 

[jtcarm]

4011 nailed it. Home Depot used to sell a scraper with replaceable plastic bags to catch it with .

Too bad there's no such thing as a ceiling-sized heat lamp to dry it out. Whenever I've painted it, the texture close to light fixtures falls off with the slightest touch

 

[HAWKEYE10]

If it's painted yes I will hire it done. It would be nice if I could hire a couple of teenagers to help me. You guys know that ain't going to happen.

Thanks for the tips guys.

Don

 

[LVSteve]

If ever there was a job to turn to your wife and tell her "You're flying solo", this is it. Also, when you get that finish off, you will then discover how well it covered up the uneven ceiling board.

 

[sipowicz]

Am I the only one that had mine plastered over? Been 10 years and not a chip or chunk came off.

Edited: I just did a search and realize mine was not actually popcorn but a textured ceiling...carry on.

 

[rojodiablo]

The stuff is very good as an acoustic material for ring and echo, but I grew up without it and I'm not damaged in any way.

Bah. If it worked that well, every lane in every shooting range would be coated in it.

I'll double down on what everyone has posted. The only exception is if the ceiling was plaster, and not drywall. If you are dealing with two way wall plaster, and plaster acoustic....... that's whole other story right there.

I did this stuff for nearly 18 years. Accoustic removal is no big deal at all. And if you are good with a plastic job, it's nearly mess-less.

NEARLY!!!.