How to Get Rid of Cottage Cheese Finish on Walls
The cottage cheese finish, also known as a "popcorn" or "acoustical" finish, was a popular decorating style in the 1960s and 1970s. A special material was sprayed onto walls and ceilings, leaving behind a bumpy cottage cheese texture similar to stucco. This interior design style is no longer popular, but cottage cheese finishes can still be found in older homes. Removing the finish is not a difficult project but it is messy and time-consuming. Special care must also be taken to avoid damaging the drywall underneath the finish. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Drop cloths
- Detergent
- Sponge
- Respirator
- Vinyl gloves
- Safety goggles
- Spray bottle
- Plastic putty knife
- Plastic bags (optional)
Instructions
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Preparation
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1
Have the material tested for asbestos. Asbestos exposure is extremely hazardous to health. Consult an asbestos abatement professional about testing a small sample of the material from the wall before proceeding with removal.
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2
Check the textured wall to see if it has been painted. Colored paint will be obvious but white paint may be hard to detect. Mix together a small amount of detergent and warm water. Apply the soapy solution to the wall with a sponge and let it sit for five to 10 minutes.
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3
Touch the wall to see if the affected area feels soft. If it is soft, the cottage cheese finish has not been painted and can be scraped off. If the wall has been painted, a paint stripper will need to be applied before the finish can be removed.
Removal
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4
Place drop cloths on the floor along the walls.
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5
Spray a 2-by-2-foot section of the wall with plain water from a spray bottle. Allow the water to sit on the wall for five to 10 minutes.
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6
Put on a respirator, protective gloves and safety goggles. Holding a plastic scraper at a slight angle to the wall, begin scraping downward. Avoid digging straight into the wall, as this may gouge the drywall under the finish.
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Work in small areas, misting and then scraping off the textured finish. The texture may need to be sprayed more than once to remove the finish, but avoid overwetting the wall. If the paper covering of the drywall becomes saturated, the drywall may need replacement.
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8
Patch any small damaged areas of the drywall with joint compound after all of the cottage cheese finish is removed.
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Tips & Warnings
To make cleanup easier, discard the material in plastic bags as you remove each section.
