DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

Eliminating can lights from a heated ceiling with a popcorn finish.

3K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  Phillysun 
#1 ·
I am attempting to convert a dining room lighting arrangement from four can lights to a single chandelier in a heated ceiling with a popcorn finish. The chandelier is now in place with a new box in the hole that was occupied by the second can light which has been removed. What are my options to eliminate the three remaining cavities?

Is it necessary to remove the remaining can lights or can I deactivate them and patch under them?

If they have to go do I need to terminate the circuit at the chandelier? Can I leave the box from the first can light intact?

If the cans stay what would be the best way to seal them up and achieve a seamless repair to the ceiling beneath them? I currently have a medallion in place over the hole above the chandelier to conceal the gap around the newly installed box, but would prefer to patch it as well.

The can lights are original to the ceiling.

Any suggestions?
 
#2 ·
Patching drywall is easy, just screw a board over the inside of the hole and screw the patch to the board. Popcorn is harder, but the have spray cans at home stores that help with that. As to what boxes can be removed, depends on how the wiring was done. Any remaing J-boxes must be accessible, but flat covers with popcorn are OK. Can lights are usually done in series, so without tearing out wirng from walls, the first light in the string usually can become a j-box. Any wires going to other fixtures/places, need to left in a j-box.
 
#4 ·
Safest to remove the popcorn material and the can lights and then do the patching of the holes. The cans would make it difficult to secure a sheetrock plug in the holes and secure it properly. If you really want a textured sealing you can do this after the patch job is complete and have a uniform look to the entire ceiling area. Removing the old popcorn finish is one of the easiest ways to update a room with what is a 1970's look.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top