First Homeowner Project Ever: Changing Ceiling Texture
#1
08-31-14, 04:21 PM
First Homeowner Project Ever: Changing Ceiling Texture
Need you guys’ approval on the method/approach for my first project, on my first home: Removing the popcorn ceiling texture and applying knockdown texture (since it's empty). Please give this a quick read and let me know anywhere I am off, or just give me the thumbs up/go ahead.
Please keep in mind I am not experienced with.. well just about anything in the realm of homeowner maintenance/improvements/etc. So some things may be obvious to you, but not to me. BTW 8' ceilings.
1- Remove Popcorn. Wet ceiling with water using a compressed air sprayer. Scrape off popcorn.
2- Use joint compound to smooth out imperfections.
3- Sand the ceiling with one of those sanding pads. Now have a smooth ceiling.
4- Do I need to roll on primer first? Do I roll a layer of paint before applying texture? …lost here. If so, what type/brand of primer/paint is best for this?
5- Someone told me I could apply the texture using a sponge or plastic bag, and that using a hopper is a giant pain in the ass, but I think I'll stick with the more conventional method of using a hopper.
6- What type/brand of texture do I use? Any tips on mixing thickness and such? Tips on mixing thickness and such?
7- Need tips on the technique for applying the texture. What setting to use on hopper.. I plan on just going in a “wavelength” pattern and trying for uniform coverage.
8- Need tips on knocking down the texture with trowel. Pressure? Angle?
I really think I can get it done rather easy, but am a bit nervous. Obviously most of the things I am unsure of is about the actual materials I am using, i.e., Primers, Paint, Texture compound.
Thanks for any advice!
Please keep in mind I am not experienced with.. well just about anything in the realm of homeowner maintenance/improvements/etc. So some things may be obvious to you, but not to me. BTW 8' ceilings.
1- Remove Popcorn. Wet ceiling with water using a compressed air sprayer. Scrape off popcorn.
2- Use joint compound to smooth out imperfections.
3- Sand the ceiling with one of those sanding pads. Now have a smooth ceiling.
4- Do I need to roll on primer first? Do I roll a layer of paint before applying texture? …lost here. If so, what type/brand of primer/paint is best for this?
5- Someone told me I could apply the texture using a sponge or plastic bag, and that using a hopper is a giant pain in the ass, but I think I'll stick with the more conventional method of using a hopper.
6- What type/brand of texture do I use? Any tips on mixing thickness and such? Tips on mixing thickness and such?
7- Need tips on the technique for applying the texture. What setting to use on hopper.. I plan on just going in a “wavelength” pattern and trying for uniform coverage.
8- Need tips on knocking down the texture with trowel. Pressure? Angle?
I really think I can get it done rather easy, but am a bit nervous. Obviously most of the things I am unsure of is about the actual materials I am using, i.e., Primers, Paint, Texture compound.
Thanks for any advice!
Last edited by dollerP; 08-31-14 at 05:12 PM.
#2
08-31-14, 04:34 PM
Group Moderator
1-3. You make that sound pretty easy.
4-8. I would try and talk you out of knockdown. Its not a beginner texture, that's for sure. You would be a lot better off going with a stomp style of texture, using a double crows foot texture brush on a pole. You roll on thinned joint compound (thinned just enough so you can roll it) with a paint roller just like painting a ceiling and once you've spread it around evenly you stomp it, turning the texture brush around randomly as you stomp.
4-8. I would try and talk you out of knockdown. Its not a beginner texture, that's for sure. You would be a lot better off going with a stomp style of texture, using a double crows foot texture brush on a pole. You roll on thinned joint compound (thinned just enough so you can roll it) with a paint roller just like painting a ceiling and once you've spread it around evenly you stomp it, turning the texture brush around randomly as you stomp.
#3
08-31-14, 04:45 PM
1-3 isn't that bad, but I use a simple spray bottle and work 3 square feet at a time with a 12" sheetrock knife and a soft drink flat box to catch it in, dumping occasionally. This is PROVIDED some dipstick didn't paint the popcorn, then all bets are off.
#4
08-31-14, 05:31 PM
Thanks to both of you!
I know, I'm a beginner.. and my fiance will have something to say if it doesn't look good and all that... that's kind of why I was going to practice in the garage. It's popcorn also.. It's 500+ sqft so I was hoping I'd have it down enough after that to move into the house
I know, I'm a beginner.. and my fiance will have something to say if it doesn't look good and all that... that's kind of why I was going to practice in the garage. It's popcorn also.. It's 500+ sqft so I was hoping I'd have it down enough after that to move into the house
#6
08-31-14, 06:13 PM
Group Moderator
No. I said I'm trying to talk you OUT OF doing a knockdown texture. The guy with the knife is a professional which is why it looks good. I would expect that a beginner would leave a million lines in the ceiling with the edges of his knife.
This is the texture I'm referring to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWsmZhJxfuQ
It's a texture that even a beginner would have a hard time screwing up.
This is the texture I'm referring to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWsmZhJxfuQ
It's a texture that even a beginner would have a hard time screwing up.
#7
09-01-14, 05:05 AM
I like to use a pump up garden sprayer to get the popcorn wet. If the popcorn has been painted you need to scrape it first, then wet. Painted popcorn is more difficult to remove but can be done.
You want to use a sanding pole when it comes time to sand. It will help with both the reach and keeping the sandpaper level so you don't sand any dips into the mud [or leave humps] X is correct that knockdown is one of the harder textures to master. You could round off the edges of the knife you use to knock down the sprayed on texture but like most things, it takes practice to make perfect. You could do all the prep work and hire someone to spray and knockdown the texture.
Some say you should prime before texture but I've never seen the need as the texture needs priming afterward. The only benefit to priming first is the texture will dry at a more consistent rate.
There are several things that determine the look of knockdown. How thick/thin the joint compound is, which orifice is used [I usually use the largest one for ceilings] and how long you let the mud set before you knock it down.
You want to use a sanding pole when it comes time to sand. It will help with both the reach and keeping the sandpaper level so you don't sand any dips into the mud [or leave humps] X is correct that knockdown is one of the harder textures to master. You could round off the edges of the knife you use to knock down the sprayed on texture but like most things, it takes practice to make perfect. You could do all the prep work and hire someone to spray and knockdown the texture.
Some say you should prime before texture but I've never seen the need as the texture needs priming afterward. The only benefit to priming first is the texture will dry at a more consistent rate.
There are several things that determine the look of knockdown. How thick/thin the joint compound is, which orifice is used [I usually use the largest one for ceilings] and how long you let the mud set before you knock it down.
