I am scraping the "popcorn" ceiling in my garage...suggestions? I plan to repaint on the bare drywall after...

Question

My garage had some serious areas where tape was coming undone and the texture was falling because of it...was going to scrape around those areas, retape, and retexture but got frustrated because then I knew I would have to paint it all and the old stuff would just come off when it got painted...so now I am scraping all the old popcorn off....suggestions on where to go from here? Thanks!

Answer 1

I have done a LOT of work on ceilings with various textures.... If you are dead set on scraping the entire ceiling, instead of repairing it, I would suggest that you use a floor scraper, and lots of plastic sheeting. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask, to keep the stuff out of your eyes and mouth, hehehe. MOST popcorn ceiling texture is made out of styrofoam beads, or a paper mache' type product... it usually does NOT contain ANY asbestos. Just take one of the beads and split it, to see which type you have, if youre curious.

The floor scraper I mentioned looks very similar to a garden hoe, that has been straightened out... no elbow. They are usually 4 to 6 inches wide, and can be found at most hardware stores, for about $15.

If you want to use a ladder, then you may want to try a wide taping knife, but I'll warn ya... its hard on the shoulders and back, lol.

If you decide to repair the loose tape, I suggest using a 'mesh' tape. It has a little adhesive on it, so it will stick to the joint, and then you can apply joint compound right thru it. When repairing loose tape joints, I suggest that you peel the loose tape, then scrape the joints, at an angle... leaving 'jagged edges' to the ceiling texture, rather than scraping a straight line. The straight line scrape is harder to hide, hehehe. Depending on just how much scraping youve had to do, you may want to rent a hopper gun to spray more texture on. PRACTICE -- you CAN match your existing pattern of texture! Ive heard many 'salesmen' and even some contractors say that ceiling textures cannot be matched, but they CAN. (just takes a little more 'art' and work than some folks want to apply)

Im providing a couple of links from other folks who have asked similar questions here.

Have Fun!

Answer 2

Once you get by the scraping and cleaning part, the rest is easy. What a mess you will have on the ground to clean up. One suggestion if you haven't started the scraping yet. There is a inexpensive tool at most stores like Lowes and Homedepot in the paint section. It is a scraper with a long handle that has a plastic bag attached to catch the scrapings(several bags are included). It is well worth the few bucks. Saves a bunch in clean up. It is really great in the main part of a home. No covering or moving most furniture. After that part is done , like I said, it is easy. Just replace any tape seams that are not tight, check any nail or screw holes in the sheetrock , remud and sand smooth those sections. Now you are ready to paint or texture depending upon your choice. Good luck!

Answer 3

Sounds Like you have your hands full and alot of work a head. Try wet sanding it (to keep the dust down) then re tape and then paint. Be minded textured/popcorned walls are use to cover shotty workmen ship/in-perfections in the original hanging of the wallboard,a common fare now days.

Answer 4

Been there. Done that. But it is not that bad a process. I covered the walls & floor with plastic drop cloths and moistened areas as I scraped. I used a 6" joint knife with good results. The wet material falls in strips to the floor without particles getting airbourne, if you are concerned about hazards

Answer 5

it shouldn't be too hard to do if the ceiling person didn't mix paint in with the popcorn. i did a living room, dining room, kitchen, hall, and stairwell in two hours. clean up was a lot longer though!!! when you get done patching the ceiling, and are ready to finish it, start by priming it first. add paint to the popcorn mix if you are going to redo it. i like sand finish, myself.

Answer 6

just tape over the drywall joints, mud and sand the joints, then prime and paint.....but frankly for a garage, i would just paint it and forget about it

Answer 7

The popcorn ceiling is most probably asbestos. It is not good for you or the environment. Stop!

Answer 8

BRAIN B --- DONT MAKE A STATEMENT THAT IS PROABLY WRONG AND JUST SCARING PEOPLE U NEED TO KNOW THE AGE OF THE HOUSE AND THEN PROCEED TO SHOW THE REST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE.