How to Remove "Popcorn" Texture From a Ceiling

If you're tired of the old popcorn texture on a ceiling, you can remove it and smooth out the ceiling. It's a messy job - but one that can make a vast improvement in the look of a room. Follow these steps to ensure a new and refreshing look indoors.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pole Sander
• Drywall Sandpaper
• Drop Cloths
• Clear Plastic Sheeting
• Joint Knives
• Drywall Joint Compound

1. Remove all furniture from the room. Put down drop cloths or plastic to catch the mess and protect the floor.

2. Remove light fixtures from the ceiling when working; this makes it easier to work and helps you avoid accidental damage.

3. Set up a folding ladder or rolling scaffolding at the appropriate height for the room.

4. Choose a drywall joint knife of the broadest width that you can handle without tiring too rapidly. (Trying to use a blade that's too wide for your physical limits can lead to gouged ceilings!)

5. Hold the knife against the ceiling at an angle of approximately 45 degrees or a little less, and push it away from you with a strong, even stroke. Use this planing motion to scrape away the ceiling texture. It may take several passes over the same area to get it smooth.

6. Keep scraping until you've removed nearly all the texture and the entire ceiling is as smooth as scraping can achieve.

7. Sand the entire area with a medium-grit drywall sandpaper. (You can buy or rent a sanding pad attached to a long pole. This allows you to work while standing on the floor.)

8. Give the ceiling a second sanding with a fine-grit drywall sand paper.

9. Inspect the ceiling closely. If you find gouges or other rough spots, you'll need to fill them in with drywall joint compound, allow them to dry, and sand the area again.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are going to re-texture the surface, the final phase of filling and sanding any blemishes isn't necessary.
• Be sure to protect your eyes and lungs from the dust. Use goggles and a dust mask.
• If you think there may be asbestos in your ceiling texture, don't do this project yourself. Asbestos is extremely hazardous when airborne. Consider any ceiling more than 20 years old to be an asbestos hazard. Have your ceiling tested to be sure.

[Dkhillman]

on 4/9/2008 I gave instructions for removal of popcorn ceiling, however, somehow it got into the wrong category heading: Cleaning Popcorn Ceiling. So look for my instructions there and if you combine these with mine you should be ready to go on this project.

[Racenuts]

on 8/12/2007 Scraping the popcorn off without all of the dust is as easy as applying a fine mist of water from a pump sprayer you can get at any home improvement or hardware store first, then scrape the texture off. If the ceiling hasn't been primed or painted, all you will be left with is the original tape lines to sand. I never dry scrape and I do alot of ceilings.

[MIKEMBLE]

on 3/14/2007 Without knowing about the unpainted/popcorn ceiling, I spent 35 dollars on ceiling paint and after I got the first 10 sq feet painted, the ceiling came off on the paint roller. Tough lesson for not checking the internet first. Had not planned to knock it down so didn't realize it would come off on the roller. Now I'm in a bind.

on 9/11/2006 I just did my bathroom ceiling. I just used a spray bottle filled with hot water to spray onto the popcorn, and since I had a hard time reaching with a putty knife or scraper, I found the windshield scraper in the garage. The slightly rounded edge worked great scraping in either direction, and the brush on the edge helped to clean off the trim. My husband was amazed that I'd done the job so quickly. Next task, the hallway.

on 8/21/2006 Getting enough water on the ceiling is the trick. We emptied the room and spread a heavy plastic tarp wall-to-wall, then taped it to the baseboards. Then we used a garden hose with sprayer/mist nozzle to spray water on the ceiling. We waited two minutes, then sprayed it again. Then waited about 4-5 minutes (depending on the room temperature) before scraping. By trial and error, we found this to work best.