How to pain popcoin ceiling?

ottawausite wrote: ↑Is it difficult? Any tips?
Thx

No not difficult..just get the right pile on the roller.

Has the ceiling been painted before?

If not, you have to seal it first with an oil-based paint. The popcorn will absorb A TON of paint, so whatever amount you think you'll need, double it.
After painting with the oil-based paint, paint it with a flat white latex paint. No need to buy anything expensive for this project. If you see a $30 can and a $50 can, just buy the $30. Save your money and buy the expensive paint for your walls.

J

First, protect EVERYTHING with a dropcloth - it splatters everywhere. Second, check if your ceilings have been painted before. Take an obscure corner and dampen with a cloth. If the ceiling starts to become mushy and pieces drop off, it has not been painted before and you will go through a LOT of paint and you have to be extremely careful not to overpaint or your ceiling will literally fall off in pieces. If not, it is a matter of repainting over. Make sure you have the right type of roller, and have fun. I just did this project a few weeks ago and it was not easy. Amazing results when finished, but it it took about 4 coats of paint. It took me 2 days to finish the living room and hallway, so don`t underestimate how long it will take.

If you are not sure its been painted before then paint it first with a heavy coat of flat oil based paint. Be sure to paint in small areas and load the thickest pile roller with lots of paint. Go one way and then at right angles. Whatever you do do not go back and touch up an area that is starting to dry as you will see it after it is dry.

Next wait 24hrs and if it looks good fine. If patchy then use a latex ceiling paint one with the colour in it (usually blue) that you can see as you paint. It will dry white. Again do not go back over any spot just puts lots of paint on and as long as you see solid blue you should be okay.
Done properly you can get away with one coat but 2 for sure.

Good advice from previous posters. I'd like to add the suggestion that you get up there and check out the whole ceiling before you do anything. If you start on it only to discover there's a patch that's ready to fall off, you'll be pretty annoyed.

MisterJ wrote: ↑Has the ceiling been painted before?

If not, you have to seal it first with an oil-based paint. The popcorn will absorb A TON of paint, so whatever amount you think you'll need, double it.
After painting with the oil-based paint, paint it with a flat white latex paint. No need to buy anything expensive for this project. If you see a $30 can and a $50 can, just buy the $30. Save your money and buy the expensive paint for your walls.

J

I would not recommend using an oil based paint at all. Oil base will seal it solid and will just be a problem later on. I would use an acrylic latex.
To prevent too much of the popcorn coming off and flying everywhere, I suggest you thin out the first coat with water. As much as 10 to 20%. It will soak in like crazy. Let it dry and then the finish coat will go on easy without any of the stuff coming off.
Oh and do not run your roller back and forth. Paint in one direction only. Roll on and stop. Going back and forth will only get the popcorn wet and it will peel and come off a lot more than you want it to.

I recommend removing the stipple and finishing the ceiling flat - it's obviously more costly but it'll brighten the room and it'll make future paint jobs easy-peasey. Plus, as soon as you paint stipple, subsequent removal becomes VERY difficult.

CaptSmethwick wrote: ↑I recommend removing the stipple and finishing the ceiling flat - it's obviously more costly but it'll brighten the room and it'll make future paint jobs easy-peasey. Plus, as soon as you paint stipple, subsequent removal becomes VERY difficult.

That is good advice...sort of,.... well..... maybe not after all. Taking all the popcorn or texture off is one H of a chore, especially if it has previously painted. Also, if it is an older house, the popcorn or texture was put on the ceiling to hide the work done up there. If they know there will be texture on the ceiling there is not the same quality of drywall, taping, mudding or effort in general put on the job. Taking it off will most likely require a lot of work to get is smooth and looking good.
By the way OP, you have the ability to correct the title from "How to pain popcoin ceiling" to How to paint popcorn ceilings.

Pete_Coach wrote: ↑That is good advice...sort of,.... well..... maybe not after all. Taking all the popcorn or texture off is one H of a chore, especially if it has previously painted. Also, if it is an older house, the popcorn or texture was put on the ceiling to hide the work done up there. If they know there will be texture on the ceiling there is not the same quality of drywall, taping, mudding or effort in general put on the job. Taking it off will most likely require a lot of work to get is smooth and looking good.
By the way OP, you have the ability to correct the title from "How to pain popcoin ceiling" to How to paint popcorn ceilings.

Yup - if it's previously been painted, then paint away. It's also possible that the stipple was there to hide a 1/2 @ss job. We removed the stipple in a couple of rooms a few years back and it costed ~$1/sq ft. Worth every penny...

Try smashing your head into it until the coins fall out, that some give some pain.

CaptSmethwick wrote: ↑I recommend removing the stipple and finishing the ceiling flat - it's obviously more costly but it'll brighten the room and it'll make future paint jobs easy-peasey. Plus, as soon as you paint stipple, subsequent removal becomes VERY difficult.

Could drywall over the popcorn ceiling as well but that's not for everyone.

taylyn wrote: ↑First, protect EVERYTHING with a dropcloth - it splatters everywhere. Second, check if your ceilings have been painted before. Take an obscure corner and dampen with a cloth. If the ceiling starts to become mushy and pieces drop off, it has not been painted before and you will go through a LOT of paint and you have to be extremely careful not to overpaint or your ceiling will literally fall off in pieces. If not, it is a matter of repainting over. Make sure you have the right type of roller, and have fun. I just did this project a few weeks ago and it was not easy. Amazing results when finished, but it it took about 4 coats of paint. It took me 2 days to finish the living room and hallway, so don`t underestimate how long it will take.

I can speak from experience. I helped my parents paint the ceiling of a room and the kitchen with this. I agree with everything the above poster has said. It's important to know if it has been painted or not.

It's important to know how old your house is as well. Someone told me that houses built pre 1980's might have traces of asbestos. If it does.. you might want to get the proper gear to handle that.

If your house isn't that old, Make sure you get the right paint and rollers for it! I used cheap dollarama rollers for the room and it took about x4 longer because it kept on pulling out the popcorn from the ceiling. There's a certain roller you have to use so it doesn't tear apart the ceiling as you roll. I only did two coats for each room and it looks great . Make sure you cover everything! Even with the good rollers, it will not stop them from falling off.

taylyn wrote: ↑First, protect EVERYTHING with a dropcloth - it splatters everywhere. Second, check if your ceilings have been painted before. Take an obscure corner and dampen with a cloth. If the ceiling starts to become mushy and pieces drop off, it has not been painted before and you will go through a LOT of paint and you have to be extremely careful not to overpaint or your ceiling will literally fall off in pieces. If not, it is a matter of repainting over. Make sure you have the right type of roller, and have fun. I just did this project a few weeks ago and it was not easy. Amazing results when finished, but it it took about 4 coats of paint. It took me 2 days to finish the living room and hallway, so don`t underestimate how long it will take.

Yes it will suck up paint...not a big deal.

Splattering means that you are not selecting a good paint and the proper roller. I have done countless ceilings and didn't need drop sheets for splatter.

And be prepared for little paint splatters over your head and arms, and if you wear glasses the speckled effect over those is quite attractive too. I've always been a real messy painter.

If it hasnt been painted, I wouldnt.

That way you have the easier option of scraping off the popcorn when you change your mind about it down the road

Pete_Coach wrote: ↑I would not recommend using an oil based paint at all. Oil base will seal it solid and will just be a problem later on. I would use an acrylic latex.
To prevent too much of the popcorn coming off and flying everywhere, I suggest you thin out the first coat with water. As much as 10 to 20%. It will soak in like crazy. Let it dry and then the finish coat will go on easy without any of the stuff coming off.
Oh and do not run your roller back and forth. Paint in one direction only. Roll on and stop. Going back and forth will only get the popcorn wet and it will peel and come off a lot more than you want it to.

Bad advice. The reason you use Oil-based Primer is because the "popcorn" product is water-based, if you prime with water-based, it will peal right off. Cutting your primer with water will make it even worse. You want to seal it with the oil, then you can use latex paint on top.

Note: Your local paint store is an excellent source of knowledge ( I said store, not Big Box Department), they can help you out with anything you are unsure about.

sods wrote: ↑Bad advice. The reason you use Oil-based Primer is because the "popcorn" product is water-based, if you prime with water-based, it will peal right off. Cutting your primer with water will make it even worse. You want to seal it with the oil, then you can use latex paint on top.

Note: Your local paint store is an excellent source of knowledge ( I said store, not Big Box Department), they can help you out with anything you are unsure about.

That is twice I have been told it is bad advice. Please enlighten me and others about this. When you buy ceiling paint in a store, it is acrylic latex and I guess the bad advice stretches to more then just me. Why use oil based paint on the ceiling? Acrylic seals as well and is less troublesome?

Every article I have read or seen seems to point to acrylic latex and even talks about thinning it with water. You cannot thin oil paint with water. Your local paint store will rightfully sell you a specific ceiling paint...an acrylic latex. (all major companies have a ceiling paint).There is no oil based ceiling paint. He will sell you oil paint, if you insist, but will surely ask you why you would want the hassle of that.

As for the peeling, that is why I mentioned you should not roll back and forth, just apply in one direction.

Please show me where oil paint is suggested or recommended as a ceiling paint for textured ceilings. I would like to know as I am planning to do several rooms soon.

Pete_Coach wrote: ↑ Please show me where oil paint is suggested or recommended as a ceiling paint for textured ceilings. I would like to know as I am planning to do several rooms soon.

Question:
I would like to paint my ceiling but it is unpainted popcorn-stucco. I was told that I needed to use an oil based ceiling paint. If I plan to paint the ceiling again in the future can I apply a latex coat on top of the oil or do I need to prime it first. If so what type of primer do I use? Also can I use a foam roller to apply oil based paint?


Answer:
When you are dealing with an unpainted stucco such as you mentioned you must use an oil-based ceiling paint first. In this case no priming is necessary. Once your ceiling has been painted with the alkyd you will be able to apply latex ceiling paint in the future. And, yes you can use a split foam roller on your popcorn stucco ceiling.


My personal experience having been in the paint industry is to use something like a Zinnser Oil primer (which is low odour). This will cover any stains (water, tobacco, etc) and seal them in for a life time. One coat covers with this specific product if you are a diligent roller/cutter. As mentioned drop cloths are recommended for a novice for this as it takes a little time to get the right amount on the roller to avoid splatters and such. I'd recommend a hat as well If the 1st coat doesn't do it for ya then switch to a latex for your top coat.

If the ceiling has been painted then by all means use a latex paint as it is easier to apply, clean up and smells less.

Good luck.

janaka wrote: ↑Question:
I would like to paint my ceiling but it is unpainted popcorn-stucco. I was told that I needed to use an oil based ceiling paint. If I plan to paint the ceiling again in the future can I apply a latex coat on top of the oil or do I need to prime it first. If so what type of primer do I use? Also can I use a foam roller to apply oil based paint?


Answer:
When you are dealing with an unpainted stucco such as you mentioned you must use an oil-based ceiling paint first. In this case no priming is necessary. Once your ceiling has been painted with the alkyd you will be able to apply latex ceiling paint in the future. And, yes you can use a split foam roller on your popcorn stucco ceiling.


My personal experience having been in the paint industry is to use something like a Zinnser Oil primer (which is low odour). This will cover any stains (water, tobacco, etc) and seal them in for a life time. One coat covers with this specific product if you are a diligent roller/cutter. As mentioned drop cloths are recommended for a novice for this as it takes a little time to get the right amount on the roller to avoid splatters and such. I'd recommend a hat as well If the 1st coat doesn't do it for ya then switch to a latex for your top coat.

If the ceiling has been painted then by all means use a latex paint as it is easier to apply, clean up and smells less.

Good luck.

This is a question and answer from where? I google the question of painting ceilings, textured and popcorn and have not seen any response to use oil based paint. everything I have read insists on using ceiling paint, which is acrylic.
I know of Zinssser paint, have used it for years, particularly in the bathrooms or the primer, which completely covers knots and/or water stains.
Your personal experience...is that you or is it still part of the question and answer above ?