Seeking help - removing popcorn paint

16 years ago

Unfortunately, three rooms in my home have this type of ceiling and there are areas in each room where it is peeling so I decided to start scraping.

I am able to get off a layer of this in certain areas and in others, it's stuck. So, thinking along the lines of dampening wallpaper, I sprayed an area, let it sit and then went back to it. Instead of it seeping through and loosening the paper (which appears to be under it), it made the stuff wet and sand like ~~ which I assume this stuff is.

Anyway, I am wondering what the magic is to removing this stuff. It appears there was a layer of paper underneath this type of paint, and in certain areas it comes off in nice pieces.

Thanks,

Maryanne

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Comments (7)

kerryokie
16 years ago
The layer of paper is probably the outer paper of the drywall. At least, that's what it was in my case. I found that the best thing to do in my home was to scrape it all off and than go back over the drywall with a skim coat of comopound and prime the whole thing before repainting. Good luck. It's a big job, but worth it.
dragonfly717
16 years ago
Hope I am not too late! I have done three rooms now . .followed alot of the advice on this link!

Good luck!

http://www.jasongraphix.com/archive/2005/08/popcorn_ceiling.php

PS Please know that popcorn ceilings installed prior to the 1980' (I believe) contain asbestos. Please be safe when removing any kind of this treatment. If your home was built before, it is recommended to get your popcorn tested.

Here is a link that might be useful: popcorn removal
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Last year, I tackled the same project in a spare bedroom. Our house is approximately 25 years old to give you an idea of how long the popcorn had been up there. I didn't wet the ceiling at all--I dryscraped it with a piece of 2x4. I didn't get it down to a smooth ceiling, but got about 2/3 of the stuff off so that when I was finished, it looks like orange peel. Cleaned that mess up, vacuumed it well, and put a coat of Gardz on the entire ceiling. Let that dry, and then painted the ceiling with two coats of white paint. Don't know if this helps, but I still remember my sore arms and neck.
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jan9 is exactly correct...I have removed many popcorn ceilings that have been painted and those that have not. YOU MUST SCRAPE THE TIPS OFF BEFORE YOU SPRAY. I wouldn't scrape if it hasn't been painted though, because in my opinion those chunks of cardboard like bumps help absorb water. If you scrape like he says, then spray the bajeebies out of it (use plastic under a big drop cloth) and let it soak in, then spray again until it is totally saturated, it will actually come off in "sheets". I found that I had to soak/spray for a good 45 minutes or so with painted over ceilings. When the water starts dripping, let it soak in and keep spraying, let it soak in,...etc. Don't try to get it off until it "gives up" or you will make a gigantic mess for yourself. Keep a big trash can with a bag next to you and drop the sheets into it. After a good dry, I skimmed my ceilings with drywall and sanded with drywall screen and the pole, primed with Zin.123 and painted. It's hard work,...I kid you not. Worth it though to get cottage cheese off the cieling! It makes the ceilings look one foot higher. I once did an entire house.
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Nice job of removing the acoustic! Trying to get a smooth finish on drywall is tough because the paper is more porous than the mud joints and will show no matter how finely feathered the edges. One way is to size the entire surface lightly by applying your mud, but wiping off as much as possible. This is similar to skim coating with the exception that you are not leaving a thin layer of mud to try and get an even surface. This is best accomplished with skim coating plaster over blue board.The advantage that you have ,however, is that your ceiling is already somewhat sized because of the acoustic being sprayed on. Even though you have removed the texture, the mud base of the acoustic is still on and adhered to the dry wall. You might give it a go yourself by filling any imperfections, sanding smooth the entire surface.Any bare drywall spots that might present their self you can size as explained. Start with a small area of the cieling and see how you feel about it.If you have the confidence, move ahead. If not, get a pro.
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You will never find a true professional crew of removers using a spray bottle as this method would be far too time-consuming. The best method is using a garden hose to wet the ceiling then a 6" to 10" drywall knife to scrape the acoustic material off. The water that does fall back to the plastic sheeting will be soaked up by the acoustic as it is scraped off the ceiling leaving you with a mess but no standing pools of water unless you go nuts with the hose. Use the 6" knife until you get the hang of it to minimize damage then go to town with a 10". A normal 10Âx12Â bedroom can be masked and have the acoustic removed in less than an hour including allowing time for the water to soak into the acoustic using this method, not including time to repair or retexture. If you opt for a smooth finish instead of texture your repair (coating) time climbs considerably as even minor flaws will show on a smooth finish. I'm also amazed at the number of people who say they have removed their ceiling and only did a "little patching" before painting. Ceilings that are intended to be covered with acoustic are almost never top coated and the joints show big time without being properly coated even when sprayed by a professional with a knock down texture. This isnÂt rocket science but a professional job is far more work than scraping off the acoustic then slapping on a coat of paint. Some may be happy with the outcome of painting without proper repair of the drywall joints but most discerning homeowners would be very disappointed. Here is a link that might be useful: Popcorn ceiling removal
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earthlydelights
Original Author
16 years ago
dragonfly,

thanks for the link. i'm off to read it now.

the paint was put on in the early 90's, that much i know. i think it was done to kit the pathetic ceilings. it's ashame the painter did a poor job and not seal it, as it has always cracked and peeled. now it's time for it to go!

what an undertaking it is though.

thanks again for the link.
maryanne
redup
16 years ago
There is a solution on the market that removes this popcorn stuff. But you really have to watch it and protect eveything real well. It doesn't stink or seem strong - tah! But it is! Some leaked on a plank floor in our tool room and ate up the finish down to the bare wood. Good thing I'm going to strip that floor anyway. I don't want to write the brand name on this forum; but you'll find it at any home store labeled exactly what it is, popcorn ceiling remover.
kerryokie
16 years ago
I tried using the remover solution redup mentioned. It actually made my skin red as it dropped on my arms. I stopped using it. My popcorn had been painted so I had to scrape it. Nothing would get through the paint well enough. With a good scraper I could go through a room in 3-4 hours, and mud it the next day. I let it sit for a week and then gave it two coats of primer and then repainted. Big job but well worth it. I only have two rooms left to go.
earthlydelights
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks for the information. i am scraping it. wetting it down, letting it sit for a bit and then scraping. it's nasty, it's a mess, but after it's all said and done, i'll be glad i did it and get the room looking the way i want it.

who said anything was easy!

thanks again
maryanne
scarlett2001
16 years ago
I want to do my living/dining room ceilings but am afraid of asbestos. Seems like a lot of people just go ahead and scrape it - do you wear a mask? I looked at the usual little masks and they all say "Do NOT use if asbestos is present". The right kind to use has those two thingies on the sides and costs $40.

I got an estimate from a contractor and he wanted a whopping $600 and he wasn't going to use any asbestos precautions anyway. Am I being too cautious??

Seeking help - removing popcorn paint

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kerryokie

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Seeking help - removing popcorn paint

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kerryokie

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