Things You'll Need
Sheets or tarps
Painting suit
Eye goggles
Primer
Short-nap paint roller
Paint pan
Paint roller extension
Textured ceiling paint
Looped texture paint roller
Spackle (optional)

Textured popcorn ceilings insulate a room, absorb sound and break up the monotonous look of smooth ceilings. Typically, popcorn ceiling installers use a spray gun and hopper to force the perlite "popcorn" onto the ceiling. This method requires nonprofessionals to rent a spray gun specifically for the purpose of popcorn ceiling installation. Ceiling texture paint allows you to easily apply perlite popcorn to your ceiling manually with a roller so you can avoid costly equipment rentals.
Step 1
Cover all flooring and furniture with sheets or tarps. Put on a painting suit and protective eye goggles.
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Step 2
Stir the primer paint and pour it into a paint pan. Slide a short-nap roller onto a paint roller frame and extension. Roll the paint roller in the primer and then roll it onto the ribbed area of the paint pan to remove any excess primer.
Step 3
Apply a coat of primer to the ceiling to cover any stains, using a back-and-forth motion. Allow the primer to dry. Rinse the primer off the paint pan and roller.
Step 4
Stir the textured paint and pour it into a paint pan. Apply a thin coat of textured paint, using a damp short-nap roller in a back-and-forth motion, working on one 4-foot by 4-foot section at a time. Allow this coat to dry for five minutes.
Step 5
Slide a looped texture paint roller onto a paint roller frame and extension. Apply a second coat of textured paint in a slow back-and-forth motion, working on one 4-foot by 4-foot section at a time.
Tip
Patch any ceiling cracks or holes with Spackle prior to applying primer.
Warning
Do not paint ceilings with textured paint in cold weather that's below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.