How to Get Popcorn Walls Smooth Without Scraping

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Things You'll Need

1/4-inch-thick plasterboard or drywall sheets
Drywall screws or nails
Screwdriver or hammer
Joint tape
Painter's or masking tape
All-purpose joint compound
8- or 10-inch broad putty knife or trowel
Long mud pan
100-grit sanding sponge or sandpaper
Coarse-grit pole sander
Soap and water
Cleaning rag
Fine-grit sander
Drywall primer/sealer
Paintbrush

Textured surfaces can add interest and drama to a wall or ceiling and can hide slight imperfections. Many builders use a spray-on popcorn-like material as a quick and inexpensive finish. However, some people prefer a smooth surface to paint or on which to apply wallpaper. The common approach for removing the popcorn finish is to wet and scrape it, which is a time consuming, messy solution made more difficult if the popcorn finish has been painted. There are other options to get popcorn walls smooth without scraping.

Warning

Before working with this material, have it checked for asbestos. If it contains asbestos, check with professionals who can remove it without danger to the health of you or your family. If your surface does not contain asbestos, there are alternative ways to achieve a smooth surface.

Cover the Surface With Plasterboard

Step 1: Purchase Plasterboard to Create Smooth Walls

Add sheets of drywall to give a fresh, new surface to your wall.

Purchase enough 1/4-inch-thick plasterboard/drywall sheets to cover the existing wall. This method may be a bit more expensive, but will ensure a good end result.

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Step 2: Secure the Panels

Screw or nail the panels into place. Be sure the screws are long enough to fit through the new wall board as well as the existing one.

Step 3: Apply Joint Tape

Place joint tape along the seams, filling in the joints and nail holes with spackling compound. Feather the compound out from the center to eliminate grooves or mounds in the finished product. Allow the compound to dry completely.

Step 4: Rub the Dried Compound

Gently rub the dried joint compound to a smooth finish with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe all loose dust from the wall when finished to provide a clean surface.

Step 5: Prime the Bare Walls

Wallpaper looks best applied to a smooth wall.

Prime the bare wall with drywall primer and paint, or paper the wall.

Plaster Over the Popcorn Ceiling

Step 1: Plaster the Popcorn Walls Smooth

If the popcorn wall surface has been painted and does not flake off when you run your hand over it, you might be able to plaster over it. Applying a layer or two of skim coat can give you the smooth surface that you desire. This option is not suggested if the popcorn is loose since it would pull loose, eliminating the possibility of strong adhesion to the walls. Test a small area first.

Step 2: Clean the Surface

Cleaning dirt, dust and grease from the wall helps the plaster to adhere properly.

Lightly clean the surface with soap and water to remove any loose dirt or dust. Allow it to dry thoroughly.

Step 3: Protect the Trim Work

Protect any trim work from the mud or joint compound by applying painter's tape or masking tape along its edges. Remove wall plates and cover any receptacle boxes, and be sure to turn off the electricity.

Step 4: Fill Cracks and Holes

A wide putty knife will enable you to work faster and give you more even results.

Fill any cracks or holes with joint putty.

Step 5: Mix the Dry Compound

If you did not buy premixed buckets of joint compound, mix the dry joint compound according to the directions on the product.

Step 6: Apply Mud or Compound

Several light layers of joint compound adhere better than one thick one.

Start at the top of the wall. Using the putty knife or trowel, apply hot mud or all-purpose joint compound evenly on the wall, smoothing as you go. As it dries, you can knock off small imperfections with the edge of the putty knife.

Step 7: Add More Coats

Allow the compound to dry, and then apply a second coat to fill in any remaining rough spots on the first coat. Let the compound dry.

If the surface is still not smooth, a third layer of compound may be needed.

Step 8: Remove Tool Marks

For the best results, do not skip sanding the completed wall to a smooth surface.

After the wall is dry, use the fine-grit sandpaper to remove any tool marks and smooth the wall.

Step 9: Brush Away Loose Dust

Brush off loose dust, and then coat the newly surfaced wall with drywall primer/sealer before adding paint or wallpaper.

Sanding

Step 1: Sand With Coarse Grit

A pole sander works well on large or high surfaces.

If you do not want to scrape the ceiling or wall, you can try sanding. Use a coarse-grit pole sander across the whole surface. The popcorn wall finish should loosen and fall off easily. Be sure to sand evenly, starting in one corner and moving across the wall.

Step 2: Use a Fine-grit Sander

Go over the surface with a fine-grit sander to eliminate any rough or raised spots. If you have any gouges in the surface, fill them with joint compound, let it dry and then sand.

Step 3: Remove the Dust

Use a clean, soft paintbrush to brush the dust and residue from the walls before applying a new finish.

Wipe the dust from the walls, and prime them with drywall primer. Apply the paint or wallpaper.

Tip

Hot mud compound can be used for filling the joints and covering the wall, but it hardens quickly and sets up like concrete. Use all-purpose joint compound for a final smooth coat. It is finer grained and easier to sand.

Stir some plaster bonder into the water before mixing the joint compound to ensure good adhesion.

Warning

Asbestos was used in some sprayed coatings for ceilings from 1935 to1978 and can cause mesothelioma and asbestosis. Builders were allowed to use their existing stock even later than 1978. Before scraping or sanding, it is a good idea to have a sample tested by an NVLAP (National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program)-approved testing center.

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