DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

[Unicorn]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

You can hire, or just buy a special steamer tool that you apply to the paper, hold that on the paper for a minute or two and the paper should scrape off more much easily.

 

[AU24K]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

You can hire, or just buy a special steamer tool that you apply to the paper, hold that on the paper for a minute or two and the paper should scrape off more much easily.

This sounds like a method for wallpaper. I don't think Jim has wall paper on his ceiling.
Scott

 

[shaun7]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

No... No drop ceiling - ick.

I'm going to investigate the new ceiling deal... I'm prepared to completely refinish the room, so it's a good time to take stock and consider the smartest option and not the most expedient. I keep comming back to tearing it down and starting over. I have that weird feeling that it's all going to be more work than I am ready to get into.

I already know the texture was applied to cover an uneven ceiling in that room.

I really appreciate everyone's input.

Jim, if your ceiling is uneven then it's probably your joists that are uneven so taking the existing ceiling down will acheive
nothing (except a lot of mess and rubbish to remove) so i'd just overboard it and be done!

 

[Unicorn]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

Sorry.... you have different names for everything over their, think we call that Artex......how about just re-plastering over it

 

[cassbiz]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=39824-1168-6100&lpage=none

My buddy used this and it has clips for a trash bag. Use the ones from your local store and it comes right up and leaves only a little mess.

That popcorn is hiding a world of treasure ... yeehaw!!!

 

[AU24K]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

Sorry.... you have different names for everything over their, think we call that Artex......how about just re-plastering over it

Unicorn my Friend. You are correct about different names for things.
Oh, and plastered walls and ceilings went out of useage here in about the 40's. Plaster and lath, ugh(shudder). When they mixed up the plaster, they would use "binding agents" like horse hair and human hair from the local barber. My grandfather the barber told me about this. Back then, I guess nothing went to waste.
Ever try to drive a nail into a plaster and lath wall to hang a picture? Sometimes you end up with a hole 3-4 inches in diameter.
Viva la sheetrock!
Scott

 

[thrillathahunt]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

I use a "Hudson" type pump up garden sprayer. But first, I completely "tent" the room with plastic. 2" masking tape around ceiling wall line, insert plastic under tape. Tape down and cover the floor with plastic too, double layer, as you will want to pull it all down and roll it up after it is scraped. (it will be messy).

Use the garden sprayer to completely soak the ceiling surface with water, let it set for about 20 minutes. Then completely soak it again. Scrape it off with a 12' wide drywall blade, old acoustic should come off now in "sheets"because it is wet. After the ceiling is all scraped off, let it dry completely, then sand lightly (there will be "goobers" still left on the ceiling. (Make sure you wear a mask doing all of this).

It is now ready for whatever you want to do with it. The joints and nail spots may need to be "floated" with drywall mud (then sanded) unless you are going to apply a heavier type texture, otherwise if just painted you will see the joint lines and nail indentations.

If you want a texture on the ceiling, you can do this by spraying thinned drywal mud through a hopper and compessor (orange-peel texture) or hand applied (plaster type) also done with thicker drywall mud.

It is also important to know that asbestos was used in the "cottage cheese" type texture until 1973 when the formula was changed. So if your house is older than 1973, be careful of breathing the "dry" dust.

I am a drywall contractor and have done this stuff for 29 years.

Good luck

 

[AU24K]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

Thrill,
Have you ever heard of a hand applied texture called "spanish fan?" I have done lot's of remodelling, hanging and finishing and was taught this texture about 6 years ago by a guy from California.
Scott

 

[thrillathahunt]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

Yes, that texture was popular first back in the early eighties. Then came back in style. Eveyone seems to want the heavy "spanish style" texture for walls (faux painted) and smooth white ceilings here in Texas.

 

[AU24K]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

Yes, that texture was popular first back in the early eighties. Then came back in style. Eveyone seems to want the heavy "spanish style" texture for walls (faux painted) and smooth white ceilings here in Texas.

I like any texture better than the popcorn for ceilings. However, I've seen some pretty impressive knock downs from a hopper. On the ceilings and walls.
Scott

 

[thrillathahunt]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

Yes, the thicker the mud that is shot from the hopper the more impressive the look after it is "knocked down" or flattened. A thinner mud gives a lighter less dramatic effect. But, it is easier and quicker to do with thinner mud.

 

[AU24K]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

Yes, the thicker the mud that is shot from the hopper the more impressive the look after it is "knocked down" or flattened. A thinner mud gives a lighter less dramatic effect. But, it is easier and quicker to do with thinner mud.

Guess it all boils down to knowing your equiptment and knowing what you're doing.
And practice. Lot's of practice!
Scott

 

[shaun7]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

Yes, the thicker the mud that is shot from the hopper the more impressive the look after it is "knocked down" or flattened. A thinner mud gives a lighter less dramatic effect. But, it is easier and quicker to do with thinner mud.

Are you talking about machine plastering a ceiling?

 

[nova treasure]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

I use a "Hudson" type pump up garden sprayer. But first, I completely "tent" the room with plastic. 2" masking tape around ceiling wall line, insert plastic under tape. Tape down and cover the floor with plastic too, double layer, as you will want to pull it all down and roll it up after it is scraped. (it will be messy).

Use the garden sprayer to completely soak the ceiling surface with water, let it set for about 20 minutes. Then completely soak it again. Scrape it off with a 12' wide drywall blade, old acoustic should come off now in "sheets"because it is wet. After the ceiling is all scraped off, let it dry completely, then sand lightly (there will be "goobers" still left on the ceiling. (Make sure you wear a mask doing all of this).

It is now ready for whatever you want to do with it. The joints and nail spots may need to be "floated" with drywall mud (then sanded) unless you are going to apply a heavier type texture, otherwise if just painted you will see the joint lines and nail indentations.

If you want a texture on the ceiling, you can do this by spraying thinned drywal mud through a hopper and compessor (orange-peel texture) or hand applied (plaster type) also done with thicker drywall mud.

It is also important to know that asbestos was used in the "cottage cheese" type texture until 1973 when the formula was changed. So if your house is older than 1973, be careful of breathing the "dry" dust.

I am a drywall contractor and have done this stuff for 29 years.

Good luck

Wow that sounds like a mess, even with the plastic covering. I couldn't imagine spraying water in a person finished home here in Ky. I would also think that it would be almost difficult to get the Accoustical spray off with water since it has been painted. If it did, it would be a white mess i would think. I know most of the time when a ceiling has been painted around here, they normally use stain kilz paint to take any tinting color out of the ceiling. it has just been recently they started making it in water base. it was mostly used as a oil base.
Interesting hearing other methods used in this kind of work.

Nova Treasure

 

[nova treasure]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

Yes, that texture was popular first back in the early eighties. Then came back in style. Eveyone seems to want the heavy "spanish style" texture for walls (faux painted) and smooth white ceilings here in Texas.

I like any texture better than the popcorn for ceilings. However, I've seen some pretty impressive knock downs from a hopper. On the ceilings and walls.
Scott

do you have any pictures of spanish fan? I'd like to see it...thank you.

I am curious too, Wondering if it resembles what We call Coin Swirl here. this is a Pic of my Foyer that I did with other designs throughout our home.

Nova Treasure

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=39824-1168-6100&lpage=none

My buddy used this and it has clips for a trash bag. Use the ones from your local store and it comes right up and leaves only a little mess.

That popcorn is hiding a world of treasure ... yeehaw!!!

I have one! It kinda sucks... I went back to the 8" putty blade cause although it's messier, it's easier.

The texture is painted and I'm just handscraping the chunks off first, then will try and see if dampening the ceiling will help smooth it out.

This has been a great topic... thanks again for the input - I've learned a bunch.

I'm taking one step at a time and will decide what's next after I complete the scrapping.

 

[thrillathahunt]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

do you have any pictures of spanish fan? I'd like to see it...thank you.
[/quote]

I am curious too, Wondering if it resembles what We call Coin Swirl here. this is a Pic of my Foyer that I did with other designs throughout our home.

Nova Treasure
[/quote]


Hi texastee I'm sorry I don't have any pictures of that style texture. It has been quite a while since I have done it. However, it looks just like Nova's picture only with fan-like lines in the semi-circles.

 

[nova treasure]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

Yes, that texture was popular first back in the early eighties. Then came back in style. Eveyone seems to want the heavy "spanish style" texture for walls (faux painted) and smooth white ceilings here in Texas.

I like any texture better than the popcorn for ceilings. However, I've seen some pretty impressive knock downs from a hopper. On the ceilings and walls.
Scott

Nova that is beautiful! can you discribe or show how to do it? I really like it.

do you have any pictures of spanish fan? I'd like to see it...thank you.

I am curious too, Wondering if it resembles what We call Coin Swirl here. this is a Pic of my Foyer that I did with other designs throughout our home.

Nova Treasure

I think I will make another thread with ceiling designs for others to share and that way Jim isn't getting to much traffic in case he decides to add to it later.

Nova Treasure

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

I should ask Marc for a DIY topic area... every time I ask a question like this there is a great response.

 

[thrillathahunt]

Re: DIY Question - I hate my "popcorn textured ceiling"

Hey Nova....I didn't know you were a fellow drywaller? You did a great job on your ceiling!