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Sand down popcorn ceiling


2 Ways to Remove Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings. Don’t you just love them! 😉 Kidding of course. We were unlucky enough to have popcorn ceilings throughout our house and I wanted to get rid of them in the worst way. So while we were updating our main floor, one of the first things we tackled was removing the popcorn ceiling. It was not as bad as I thought it would be actually, just a little messy. We are now in the process of renovating a room upstairs and we decided to do it a little differently this time around. So I am going to share with you 2 different ways on how to remove popcorn ceilings in your home.

First though, a word of caution. Some popcorn ceilings were made with asbestos. You should take care to find out if your ceiling contains asbestos, and if so find another way to tackle that job. We found out that the time frame our home was made, it did not contain asbestos so off we went.

*There are links to products in this post that I use or are similar to products I use.  If you buy something from one of these links, I may make a small commission (with no additional cost to you) from the purchase.  I will not recommend anything that I would not buy myself.  Thank you for supporting my blog!

Method 1

For this method you will need:

When we started renovating our main floor, I was not blogging yet so unfortunately we do not have many pictures of the process. However it is pretty easy to explain. I wanted to have smooth ceilings so we knew we were going to have to remove it all. We did some research online and saw that the best way to remove the popcorn was to get the ceiling wet before scraping it.

We bought a new fertilizer sprayer to spray the ceiling, they are fairly inexpensive. Actually we already had one but it had been used with fertilizer already and we did not want to take the chance with using that. We knew that we would use it again for the upstairs anyway (well at least we thought that at the time…lol).     

Mr. Wonderful did the hard work while I stayed on the floor and “assisted”. I will have you know that is a very important job! 😉 He sprayed the ceiling first to get it wet, working in smaller sections, about 3’ x 3’. He would saturate it pretty well. The ceiling would drip water and also drop some of the loose wet texture once in awhile so make sure you have your floors (and anything else you don’t want texture on) covered with drop cloths. In the kitchen we have laminate flooring so we did not cover it, I would just clean it up as we went along so we did not track it all over.

We let the water “soak in” for 3 minutes before starting to scrape. Attempting to keep the waiting time to a minimum, Mr. Wonderful would spray the next area so that the 3 minutes would go by while he was scraping the currently prepared section. Mr. W got a pretty good rhythm going once he got started, but advises that you get your process figured out before getting too far ahead of yourself.

Scraping went along easily using the 6 inch putty knife and a mud pan. Hold the mud pan just below the area you are scraping and the scrapings fall directly into the pan. We had seen tools that had a putty knife with a piece to attach a garbage bag. In our opinion this is not a viable option with wetting the ceiling as the weight of the scrapings would get too heavy. Even after doing the scraping with Method 2 we still think it would not be worth the hassle.

After all the scraping was done, the ceilings were looking pretty good! It was amazing how much it brightened up the room. You don’t realize how dingy the ceiling looks until you take off the popcorn! It also made the ceilings seem taller, I am not sure why but it did. Since we were not adding texture and wanted a smooth ceiling, we had to sand them smooth. Using a drywall sander, Mr. W lightly sanded the whole ceiling. After he was done with the sanding, we checked over the ceiling with a flashlight shining across of the surface to look for any areas that still needed to be smoothed out. Anal much? Lol. I have to say that the effort was worth it though, they look amazing!!

We put a rag on a broom and brushed the ceilings to get the dust off and then applied the first coat of primer/paint. The ceiling soaked this up pretty well. The second coat really made everything look great! We used a paint that we got at Menards that was a primer and paint in one. It was color matched to Benjamin Moore’s Simply White in a flat finish. You want to use flat finish for the ceiling so the light does not reflect off it as well and it hides the flaws better. Just in case we missed a spot in all that sanding! 🙂 Here are some pictures of the finished ceiling. The only texture on there now is what came from the paint roller. These were also taken after we painted and put in recessed lighting.

Method 2

For this method you will need:

When we started to think about renovating this current room, we decided to try a different route to removing the popcorn ceilings. Mr. Wonderful thought this idea would work and it sounded A LOT easier than Method 1. This method would leave us with more of a knock down or orange peel texture. Here is a before shot of the popcorn ceiling.

We again used plastic drop cloths to cover the floor. They make for easy cleanup!

Mr. W took a 3 inch putty knife and started to scrape the texture off without wetting it this time. Since we were not wanting a smooth finish, he only was scraping off the spiky parts.

Here is a picture showing the right half scraped and the left half not scraped. It is hard to see in the picture and it was hard to tell at this point how it was going to look because the scraped part had dark marks all over it from the putty knife.

After he finished the scraping, he used the drywall sander with 120 Grit screens and lightly sanded the ceiling. We had a fan blowing out the window and Mr. W wore a breathing mask as we were not sure how much dust this was going to create. It really wasn’t too bad on the dust part although I would still recommend the mask. You don’t want to be breathing in any dust!

We painted two coats of primer/paint again, same kind & color we used in method 1. Here is a picture of the finished project. Next we will be sharing how we lit this room up! We got rid of that lovely light (#sarcasm) in the middle of the room and installed recessed lighting. The room is so much brighter now!  

In retrospect, it was soooooo much easier and only took about 30 minutes to do the room (excluding the painting). Also, I like the look of the texture on the ceiling and it is definitely more forgiving than a smooth ceiling. When the lights are on, you cannot really see the texture though. This picture shows a closeup of the textured ceiling.      

If you are contemplating removing your popcorn ceilings, I would say go for it! It makes such a difference in your room. Like I mentioned, it looks much brighter and gives the illusion of taller ceilings! Here is a side by side comparison of the room we just did and the hallway that has to be done yet. Much better, right? Of course the lighting in the room is better but you can see how much brighter it looks! If you are wondering what is on the ceiling in the room, that is a monorail track that runs around the room. You will see that in a future post.  🙂

Just one other side note, luckily our popcorn ceilings were not painted. I have read that is not such an easy process if you have painted popcorn ceilings. However, method 2 would be an option you could do if you have painted ceilings. Do you feel inspired? Let me know if you have any questions.

How to Drywall Sand a Popcorn Ceiling

As popcorn ceilings are becoming less popular, homeowners are deciding to remove them. Many people do not consider using a sander, and instead, decide to scrape off the texture.

Sanders can be used to flatten texture, especially wood surfaces, but can this process get rid of popcorn ceilings?

Let’s dive into whether sanding can effectively remove popcorn texture and how you can perform this process at home.

Can You Sand Down Popcorn Ceilings and Walls?

Although you can use a sander during the process of popcorn ceiling removal, it is not the most effective way and will often not work on painted texture. It can be convenient, but the proper tools are often expensive.

Ceilings

You can use drywall sanders to wear down popcorn ceiling texture. Start with a coarser grit and work your way to a finer grit. Most popcorn texture will be gone by the end of this method, but sanding may not be as effective on painted popcorn ceilings.

Sanding might not leave a perfectly smooth finish, but you can easily apply a skim coat and a layer of paint to flatten the texture. Often the new texture is more pleasing than the popcorn ceiling.

Walls

Sanding is also possible for removing popcorn wall texture. You can use a coarse-grit sander across the entire wall to eliminate the popcorn coating. If the texture remains, use a finer grit to even out any rough areas.

You can also use a joint compound to even out the surface after sanding. Let it dry, sand it once again, and add a layer of primer and paint. This can be very effective in achieving smooth walls.

Also see: Do Popcorn Ceilings Cause Dust?

Can You Sand a Painted Popcorn Ceiling?

Popcorn ceiling texture is usually painted. Because of this, sanding will not be as effective on most popcorn ceilings.

Sanding does not work as well on latex paint. Sanders often fail in properly removing the painted texture and can gum up. However, if you have a ceiling with little to no coats of paint, you may be able to sand your ceiling.

A good way to check whether your ceiling can be sanded is to try to scrape off the texture with your hand. If the texture falls off fairly easily, you can probably use a sander. You can also do this with a dry scraper.

Sanding vs Scraping

When homeowners start to remove their popcorn ceilings, they usually attempt the scraping method. For this, you don’t have to buy an expensive sander. The materials needed for scraping are much cheaper.

Scraping is a simple process that most people can do themselves. It doesn’t require any extensive knowledge. It is also much more effective. Even if your popcorn texture is painted, scraping will work.

There are some benefits to sanding, though. The process can be cleaner and won’t create as much mess. During sanding, you don’t have to moisten the texture, so you won’t have to deal with clumps of wet popcorn texture in your home.

If you have a vacuum attachment to your sander, there could be little to no mess at all. The vacuum will catch all the falling dust.

However, sanding doesn’t always work. Scraping is the most popular method of removing popcorn texture because it is very effective. A drywall sander will do a poor job of wearing down popcorn ceilings that have several coats of paint.

Machine To Sand Popcorn Ceiling

Sanding a ceiling by hand is time-consuming and labor-intensive, but thankfully there are tools that you can use to make this experience easier. Drywall sanders, vacuum sanders, and rotary sanders can remove popcorn ceilings quickly and easily.

Drywall Sander

You can easily remove popcorn texture with a drywall sander. This tool has a flexible sanding head and a long arm that allow you to reach the ceiling without too much effort.

The downside to drywall sanders is their price. The Planex Easy Drywall Sander costs $1,058 and most homeowners aren’t going to continually use it. Although a drywall sander is convenient to use, it would be less expensive to scrape the popcorn texture.

Vacuum Sander

It’s best to find a sander with a vacuum attachment. Throughout the process of removing popcorn texture, debris will fall to the ground and cover your furniture. A vacuum sander ensures that your home remains dust-free.

Falling dust could not only be messy but also cause health concerns. When you are sanding, the dust could irritate your eyes, dry out your skin, or cause problems for your respiratory system. With a vacuum sander, the vacuum collects dust as you go.

Rotary Sander

Like other sanders, rotary sanders have a round pad that removes debris and smooths surfaces. However, rotary sanders don’t vibrate. The pad moves quickly in a circular motion and removes material more aggressively.

Rotary sanders have high removal rates. They can do a better job of removing stubborn popcorn texture, but it could leave more scratches on the surface.

What is the Cost To Sand Popcorn Ceiling?

Sanders can be expensive to buy or rent. Many people choose to scrape off their popcorn ceilings because it is a much cheaper process.

Drywall sanders cost $55 per day to rent, or $1,000 to buy. Popcorn ceiling scrapers are only $20. Sanding may be a more convenient process, but not many homeowners think that it is worth the expense.

The grit isn’t cheap, too. A 25 pack of grit on Amazon costs about $80. For a one-time job, the costs may outweigh the benefits.

For a professional to remove the popcorn ceilings, it can cost anywhere from $1,000-$2,000. Since sanding expenses are close to this, it might be a better option to hire a professional. This would also take pressure off the homeowner to be responsible for this project.

Popcorn Ceiling Sander With Vacuum Rental

If you’re not looking to purchase a drywall sander, you can rent one. This process is as simple as going to your nearest Home Depot.

At Home Depot, different prices are depending on how long you plan to keep the sander. They will charge $39 for 4 hours, $55 per day, $220 per week, or $660 for 4 weeks.

Make sure that before you sign a rental agreement, you know exactly when you’ll be performing this work. The price adds up quickly the longer you keep the sander. It would be best to take one day to sand the entire ceiling. This way, you are cutting down on the expense of renting.

Since sanders are expensive, many homeowners cut down on costs by scraping off the popcorn ceiling and then sanding the surface by hand. A pack of 15 sheets of sandpaper only costs $13 at Home Depot.

What Grit Do You Use To Sand Popcorn Ceiling or Wall?

The sanding grit depends on what popcorn ceilings you have. If the texture is already painted, use a coarse grit. You should generally start with a grit that is between 36 and 60 and work your way to 100. Starting with a coarser grit and moving to finer grit will make sure to get rid of popcorn texture without damaging the ceiling.

That Kilted Guy, a home improvement professional, uses 25 grit to sand popcorn ceilings. He likes to use a very aggressive grit to get the job done.

You might find that even coarse grit cannot sand a painted popcorn ceiling. If this occurs, you may have to choose a different removal method.

How To Sand a Popcorn Ceiling

Step one: Cover the walls and floor with plastic drop cloths.

Step two: Scrape the most textured parts with a putty knife. This will make it easier to sand off the popcorn ceiling.

Step three: Find the right grit level put it on the base of a drywall sander. Make sure it is properly aligned.

Step four: Turn on the sander and test a small section of the ceiling. Adjust the grit as needed.

Step five: Sand the entire ceiling using moderate pressure. Make sure that you are wearing protective eyewear and a dust mask. If you don’t have a vacuum attachment, ensure that the room is well-ventilated.

Step six: Skim coat the ceiling. Although some people skip this step, it can be crucial in creating a flat surface for the paint.

Step seven: Prime and paint the ceiling.

The sander may not fully smooth out the popcorn ceiling, but it will create a more aesthetic texture. If the popcorn texture was painted a few times, the sander may not remove it. When this happens, you may have to consider scraping off the texture.

Final Thoughts

Homeowners seem to have mixed feelings about using a sander to completely remove popcorn texture. Some professionals mention that it may not be effective in tackling ceilings that have a few coats of paint. Others claim that it is a much better option than scraping.

It can be much more expensive and may not be incredibly effective. Other options may be more worthwhile. However, sanding does not create much mess and can be a less time-consuming project.

Whatever option you choose, make sure that you are checking your ceiling for asbestos or mold before performing any at-home renovations!

How to quickly remove popcorn from a popcorn ceiling - Ideas for home

Heading: Home repair and maintenance


Things you need

Removing popcorn from the ceiling is a laborious task.

Popcorn ceiling texture is still widely used as a way to hide ceiling distortions such as undulations and bumps. Removing the popcorn ceiling will give it a nice new flat look after painting, but keep in mind that there was a reason for installing this type of texture in the first place. Removing popcorn from the ceiling is a messy job and requires a lot of physical effort. If you are not comfortable with dirty working conditions, you should hire someone to do the job.

Step 1


First prepare the area. Remove everything from the room where you are going to remove the popcorn. If the items are not removable, cover them with plastic.

Step 2


Start scraping the popcorn off the ceiling. Use a respirator when cleaning and sanding. Use a painter's extension and glue a large scraper or sticky knife to the end if needed. Wrap the tape tightly so that it does not fall off. From the ground, extend the pole to your desired height and start scratching the popcorn ceiling back and forth. To work on the popcorn ceiling, use a ladder, scaffolding, or cart. It is best to use rolling and folding carts as they save time and energy.

Step 3


Sand the popcorn ceiling after scraping it off. To make sanding easier and faster, sand it off the ground using the sanding head on the painting post. For faster results, use 80 grit sandpaper. Just sand it down to be smooth and ready for peel off.

Step 4


Start removing the film from the popcorn ceiling. Use drywall stucco to degrease the popcorn ceiling. For more convenience, use the pre-mixed type. This will save time because it is already mixed and also easier to sand.

Step 5


Once everything is dry, start sanding and smoothing the popcorn ceiling one last time.

STEP 6


Dust the ceiling and paint it.

Warning

Always wear a dust mask when cleaning or sanding. Wear appropriate work clothing, which includes long-sleeved shirts, heavy-duty jeans, gloves, and goggles.

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How to repair a water stain on the ceiling of popcorn

I have popcorn on the ceiling and there is darkness water stain in the center. I found the source of the water leak and fixed it. Now I need to fix the area so it blends in with the rest of the ceiling. The popcorn/stucco/curd texture in the water damage area doesn't look like the rest of the ceiling. Do I need to fix this area by patching it before I try to paint over it? How can I make it fit before I color it? Which is better to scrape and buff, or use a spray painter to hide the stain? Please help.

The easiest way to fix this is to scrape, patch and paint.
(Everything you ever wanted to know about popcorn ceilings is here)

To start a quick repair: Put on a breathing mask. Take a scraper and completely remove the soiled popcorn, going around about an inch on all sides of the stain. Scrape it off until only the flat drywall is visible. The drywall will probably also have a water stain. You can use a product called KILZ to paint over water stained drywall if you like. If you're absolutely sure you've fixed the water leak, you can simply apply a popcorn ceiling patch. Put on the popcorn patch trying match the thickness and texture of the existing ceiling . Once dry, you can paint it the same color as the rest of the ceiling. This will make the repair job match and merge. See below for complete procedure...


Scrape off damaged or water-stained popcorn texture.

The best way to patch a water-stained popcorn ceiling (small area) is:

  1. Place plastic sheeting under the area you will be working on.
  2. Wear a protective breathing mask to protect yourself from harmful dust and fumes.
  3. Use a sturdy ladder to get to the ceiling.
  4. Scrape off any water-damaged popcorn material until it is completely removed and the ceiling tarnish is visible.
  5. Vacuum or dust the ceiling to remove any remaining dust.
  6. Use a paint brush and prime the water damaged ceiling with KILZ Ceiling Paint. This product is the only one that seals stains and prevents them from showing through.
  7. Buy Popcorn Ceiling Patch in the tub, not as a spray. The spray popcorn patch gets everywhere and makes a huge mess, we don't recommend doing this. (You can also use a premixed Texture Restoration Spray Kit, this may be the easiest solution)
  8. Use a wide trowel (joint knife) or paint brush and apply the patch material to the damaged ceiling following the directions on the can.
  9. Apply it so that it matches the rest of the ceiling so that it blends in with it. Let dry.
  10. Paint with the same latex, white or flat finish as the rest of the ceiling. It is recommended to use a paint sprayer to apply the appropriate paint to the patch. If you use a brush, it usually pulls the texture of the popcorn from the ceiling, which does not serve the purpose. You can find small spray cans that you add the paint of your choice to, press down on it and spray the paint onto the patch.

Use Popcorn Ceiling Patch 'ready mix' for ceiling repairs.

Texture can be difficult to match and can be very noticeable. Do your best to match. Have someone let you know if it matches the rest of the ceiling while you're putting it on. If your ceiling has different hues than the popcorn texture, you can use a spray painter and repaint the entire ceiling to match.

If you have a HUGE area that needs to be repaired, consider doing it this way: