painting a textured ceiling

Marolyn

Hi,
We are remodeling our older home. It is time to start the painting ceilings. HELP, the ceilings are textured. What is the easiest and "least messy" technique?

HDwetPaint

Hello Marolyn, good news for you is repainting over a textured ceiling can actually be easier than normal drywall or plaster. First things first dependent upon what type of texture you have on your ceiling you will want to use a thicker nap roller (for most common texture ceilings I’ve always used a ½”-3/4” nap) this will help fill in the deeper recessed areas and hold more paint so that you won’t have to load the roller up as often. The texture will hide lap marks that you would normally get if you’re not very experienced painting ceilings so it’s a very good DIY job and can save you a good deal of money.
When painting texture you may notice that you are getting a bit more dripping than you have experienced with a flat ceiling just be sure you’re not laying it on too heavy or try back rolling your sections before moving on.
Hope this was of help to you and if you have any more questions feel free to ask.

sdsester

What kind of textured ceiling is what you should ask first.

If it is a sprayed on popcorn ceiling without asbestos, you are in great shape save for the fact it was probably applied over a non-primed surface to save proper taping, drywall finishing and painting priming costs. It is hanging on angel wings up there. It will more than likely peel loose on your roller cover---at least chunks will. Using a thick nap cover is not a bad idea but you may not get away with two coats without the moisture and tension from the roller pulling away more ceiling.

You can then try to repair and match the missing sections of what comes loose on your roller cover or just bite the bullet and take it all off. You will be surprised how fast this usually happens with a thin and wide drywall skim coat blade.

Popcorn ceilings were popular at one time but are the work of the devil. Older ones, with asbestos, need to be abated and removed by a licensed professional. Or covered over. In most states you now have to disclose knowledge of lead or asbestos having been present even if you somehow abate it.

kboyz

There are roller skins made especially for texture ceilings. They are made with "foam" rather than "hair". They have slits in the nap about 1/4" apart. This reduces how much the skin and the paint pull on the ceiling. I have always had very good luck with them.It may still pull some texture but ihai possibility will be greatly reduced. You should be able to them in the box stores and most paint stores.

Windows

If the ceiling has been painted before, you are clear to roll a water based paint with a thick foam roller. If the ceiling has not been painted before, then yes, the above setup will pull down a lot of the texture, and you either need to roll an oil based coating or use an airless sprayer to apply your paint (water based is fine if sprayed, even if the ceiling is not painted). Either way I would certainly consider spraying them if you are planning to paint the walls. There is a lot of prep involved, but the actual painting goes very fast.

sdsester

Trying to spray it is not a bad idea but watch the air pressure or you will do more damage to a crappy popcorn ceiling than with a roller.

Again, popcorn ceilings are the work of the devil. Most are but a mixture of the crappiest paint available mixed with texture and blown on over non-primed surfaces. I don't see how using an oil product would help. The foam roller mentioned is worth a try I guess. I usually just bite the bullet and take them down. Matching the bare spots takes longer usually than just getting rid of it all.

stoner529

Just use a thick roller 3/4 nap. All this talk and you havent even said if it was popcorn yet.

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