We purchased our newly constructed home 10 yrs ago and we love it, except for the popcorn ceilings. Ugh. We are currently remodeling the master bathroom and have removed all of the popcorn from the ceiling and sanded it for a smoother finish. Now what do we do? Is it necessary to skim the ceiling with an all purpose drywall compound, or can we just put a primer down and paint it?
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Replies
Walls?
What is the texture on your walls? You may want to match that. To get it smooth you will need to skim coat, but use topping not all purpose.
Can't see it from my house...
the usual remark from a DGAS drywaller. Popcorn was meant a little for sound and a lot for covering a not quite there finish. You may have to widen tapered edge joints and most likely butts.
But it is hard to tell how good of a finish you currently have. While a skim is a good way to even out everything, any dips and ridges still might show in the right light. Some just use a thinned bucket mud rolled on to give an eggshell and with flat white paint over it, fine. Anything with a sheen might require more.
Who would be doing the skim coat makes a difference as well.
A ceiling with Character
I have many years of experience related to walls and ceilings. Most of my drywall work receives a two-coat finish of pseudo-plaster, something I formulated over the years.
If a smooth finish is what you want. go over ALL taped joints with lite (sandable) drywall compound (USG Blue bucket lid). Expect to sand quite a bit. As others have pointed out, popcorn texture often hides poor drywall work...sigh. If that is the case, I recommend troweling on two coats of USG blue mixted with ultra fine silica sand. This work requires skill. The finish, when properly sponged and sanded, will be almost perfectly smooth. You can add a very thin 3rd coat of USG blue and sand it. This will create a beautiful, vitually smooth ceiling with a bit of "character".
For an ultra lite spray on finish, try USG non-aggregate. Knock it down with a taping knife. Sponge lightly. Experiment before you start your actual work. Nothing is easy: a good drywall job requires knowledge and skill.
There are texture paints that can be rolled or trowled on. The texture is milld...nothing like popcorn. You can mix ceiling white with a small amount of USG blue compound. Roll it on with 3/4 nap roller. Experiment...try different techniques. And, above all, have fun!
Anyone that had the skill to parge sanded plaster wouldn't be here asking for drywall advice. Also, the work will only be smooth if it is applied by someone with experience with the product. There are far easier ways to get a nice finish that can be done by a semi-skilled DIYer.
We add a little water to a bucket of drywall mud, just enough to make it slightly less thck, then we roll it on the ceiling witha 1" nap roller. It will dry pretty quickly so another person is needed to smooth it out with a Magic Trowel. Usually one or two passes will make the ceiling very smooth and flat. If a texture is needed or wanted that can be done any time after troweling.
Magic Trowel- https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=magic+trowel