This ceiling is now popcorn over sheetrock. I want to remove the popcorn, patch a couple of places, and re-do the whole thing. I think that getting it back to a smooth surface, ready for priming and painting, would be easier said than done, but probably the only reasonable approach. The size is about 5x9.

There is a tub-shower in this room, so it gets pretty damp at times. I am wondering about a textured paint over primer. I have seen some nice semi-gloss orange peel bathroom ceilings in motels and would be ok with that, but have no idea how to do it.

I am also interested in alternatives. I have looked at beadboard paneling and cedar plank bathroom remodels online, but have not seen anything along these lines that really grabs me. Some of these appear not very suitable for wet areas, I would guess. Also, my house is contemporary, not farmhouse style, so I am not sure these would really fit. I am not at all interested in flashy/glassy/shiny/showy stuff, perimeter lighting, suspended ceiling, etc..

So my questions are: How do you do an orange peel ceiling in a bathroom? And have you seen any knockout bathroom ceiling alternatives that are simple and sensible but elegant?

Thanks, Gary

 

Getting it back to smooth is not that tough. Just remove the texture with a 12" taping knife as best you can , and then skim coat it. It might take a couple of coats but that will get you to a smooth surface for paint.

If you want to texture it again with an orange peal or a knock down, you would remove the texture and do a skim coat. Then texture it with a texture gun. You can rent one if you have a compressor, or borrow one.

IMO a smooth or Knock down would be your best options. Then paint with a good quality paint.

 

I agree it's not a difficult job to remove the popcorn and skim coat the ceiling. Priming and applying a coat or two of latex enamel [any sheen] will give the ceiling plenty of protection from moisture.

IMO a sprayed on texture looks better than rolled on texture. I probably wouldn't texture the ceiling but if texture is desired, I thin down the j/c and use my texture gun. You can buy textures in aerosol cans but they don't give you as good a control as the hopper gun.

 

Is it best to use j/c or another product? And what do you advise for getting a smooth surface? I have an 18" joint/tape knife, and smaller ones, but am not very good at producing a nice flat surface with these. Any tricks?

 

Both regular j/c and setting compound will work although regular j/c is a little easier to work with. Thinning the j/c a little will help it flow better. I've never used an 18" knife and it should help to smooth out the j/c better than a 12" knife BUT if the larger knife is too unwieldy for you, a smaller knife may produce better results. Obviously the smoother you apply the mud the easier the sanding process will be but using a sanding pole [or anything that holds the paper flat] will also help to even out the skim coat.