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Prep help for ceilings if popcorn is removed

13 years ago

Hi,

We are having a hard time finding the answer to a problem we are trying to solve. My husband and I removed the popcorn from our ceiling. Then I sanded it down and cleaned off the dust. Well when we tried to paint it made the ceiling look rough. The problem is that any place there is joint compound if it is not perfectly smoothed out it makes the paint look bad. So now what do we do to get it smoother looking? Do we need to sand some more or do you suggest anything else before we paint. Any help would really be appreciated because we are very frustrated. Also, how would you suggest we wipe it down to get the dust off? Thanks! Wish I could add a picture but it would never show the problem.

Comments (3)

paintguy22
13 years ago
Yes, you have to sand the joint compound smooth before you paint. If you have painted over unsanded joint compound, then you will likely need to sand that and/or float more compound over the bad areas to fix. Once painted over, the compound can be very hard to sand smooth. There is also a chance that the ceiling will need a quick sanding afer first coat of paint.
lazy_gardens
13 years ago
Typically the ceiling gets a skim coat of drywall compound, some texturing, then primed with drywall primer BEFORE the final coat of paint goes on.

I did a couple of rooms by spreading a thin layer of diluted drywall mud (yogurt-textured) in small sections, then rolling the wet mud with a roller with plastic loops.

It has a rippled texture that hides all kinds of things.

Smooth is the hardest finish of all to create.
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The big question is - does it contain asbestos or not? You can look in the yellow pages and find asbestos testing places. Or you can look the other way, which I do not recommend, based on experience. I had an estimate of $600 for a 15 x 25 foot living room/dining room - decided to do it myself. I got a lung infection from the dust, developed pneumonia, etc. Doctor bills plus lost time from work was way over the $600. (Antibiotic pills were $400 for 10 days.) Also, the hugest mess you ever saw, anywhere. But, if you are really a die hard DIYer, please invest in a respirator, not a little painting mask. Good luck!
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I would do the test. Removal is much cheaper if it does not contain asbestos, and disclosure is not a big deal since so many 1960's and 70's houses contain asbestos in the popcorn ceiling. The ceilings are not dangerous as long as the surface is not disturbed. When we bought our last house in CA, the living room, hall and 2 guest rooms still had the popcorn ceilings. We wanted the ceilings in the living room and hall re-textured to match the kitchen and family room. Tests showed the ceiling contained asbestos, so we paid for the expensive haz-mat style removal. When we sold the house, we filled out the standard disclosure forms during the escrow period. We disclosed that the popcorn in the 2 bedrooms likely contained asbestos because other rooms tested positive. The buyer did not even question it. If you are having all the popcorn in your house removed, you may not have to disclose anything since the material is removed (ask your agent). However, I do not think a buyer would be bothered by a disclosure that the house once had asbestos popcorn ceilings that were properly removed and you have a certificate showing proper removal.
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Although this is an after-the-fact comment, it's important to advise others who are considering removal of popcorn ceilings that this material can contain significant quantities of asbestos, and it's important to sample and test such ceilings before you do a removal in order to avoid the serious risks associated with asbestos contamination and exposure. Here is a link that might be useful: Asbestos in popcorn ceilings
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Now, to get off all the residual dust, do I just have to wipe down the ceiling the same as for wiping down sheet rock after taping, mudding and sanding Yes
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treasureforu
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the responses. Lazygarden, your idea is a good one. We are thinking about it. But, where did you find the roller with the loops?

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