How to spray popcorn/stucco on celing?

I want to spray the ceiling of a newly built basement using a compressor driven texture sprayer. I went to Home Depot to look into renting the equipment. The clerk there said spraying the stuff is easy and requires no experience but I am afraid I will mess it up.

How do I go about spraying the stuff? What are the things to look out for to do a proper job? Should I paint(prime) the ceiling beforehand?

Reply to
ississauga
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It is straight forward. The only thing you should do is familiarize yourself with the equipment you are using. Follow the manufacture directions of the popcorn mix you are going to use to a " T " and be prepared to practice and adjust the mix and/or the equipment with how fast you walk around the room to get the result you desire. It is a rather forgiving product as if you are not getting the results you want, you can always scrap the product off with a wide joint compound knife before it dries and start over.

As for the ceiling itself, it should be mudded, taped, and finish sanded before you begin. The texture should go on before primer or paint ( see popcorn manufactures instructions to be sure). Any boxes you have in the ceiling for lights, smoke alarms and so forth should be masked off, paying close attention to screw holes. You should spray right into the drywall corners, and it is handy to have another person working with you to scrape the excess popcorn off the vertical walls after you pass by so you can keep the same steady motions and tempo that ensure a consistent appearance. Wear proper protection! Old work clothes or disposable tyvek jumpers are a must as with full goggle eye protection. Spend a couple of bucks more on dust masks and get the ones that protect against the finest dusts. Above all, relax and just roll with it.

Grim

Reply to
Grim

I think the drywall needs to be sealed first because the popcorn stuff will be pretty wet, but as you say, check what the popcorn manufacture says.

I agree, you will need some practice. Get a piece of drywall to waste and practice.

If you don't have someone helping you need to tape and cover the walls with plastic. And be sure to cover the floors and whatever you leave in the room.

I would buy the machine at Harbor Freight on sale for $19.99. But you also need a compressor. Rather than a dust mask you might want to think about a respirator. HF has the cheap OA for $20.

Reply to
George E. Cawthon

Popcorn is used by building contractors to cover a ceiling in a hurry on a budget, and homeowners don't necessarily like it. It is VERY difficult to repair or paint. If you have any choice at all, go for a smooth ceiling. If you go with popcorn, DEFINITELY prime the ceiling first or the popcorn will fall off sooner or later.

-B

Reply to
B

I would HIGHLY recommend not using this for the ceiling. It's not very attractive. I purchased a home where all of the ceilings are "popcorn." We can't repaint without significant expense (mostly labor) and mess. It also "sheds" a little over time.

Don't do it. If you've never done it, spend your time and just tape/mud your ceiling and apply an "orange peel" or "knock down" type texture. Everyone will be happy in the long run.

P
Reply to
3D Peruna

Reply to
Paul Furman

It is crap that you will have problems painting over in years to come. Paint the ceilings and make them look right. We took ours down and I've not regretted removing it. Ed

Reply to
Edwin Pawlowski

Please reconsider popcorning the ceiling. It's a ghastly ugly finish. Only lazy drywallers use this crap, IMHO. Low rent. I'd lower my offer on a house with that junk on the walls.

Reply to
edfan

I have to agree a heavy knock down texture is the way to go.

But you are wrong about the painting. I just painted all of my popcorn ceilings this past year. I tried rolling it and found that was near useless, so I decided to spray. Not much trouble to prepare as I was doing the wall also, but just tapped and stapled plastic to the walls and laid plastic on everything. Then I sprayed away, generally using about 1-1/2 gallons per room. People who had rolled the ceilings always painted them at least twice and used and incredible 3-5 gallons for the same size room. Glad I decided to go with a paint sprayer.

Reply to
George E. Cawthon

using a

Why would you want to do this? What's so wrong with your new ceiling that you would consider ruining it with "popcorn" or whatever?

stuff is easy

up.

I might have quarreled with the guy, except that it really takes no experience to mess up a job with a popcorn ceiling.

to look out

Avoiding starting is the one positive thing to consider. Alternatives are, of course, to be looked at. Complaining about the drywall taping and floating job might be a prerequisit to starting at all, if it is so bad you're considering popcorn.

Frankly (and seriously), you might better consider painting the ceiling. (Notice the period at the end of that sentence.) Or, you might veneer plaster the ceiling. That is something worth trying. You can learn as you go, and you can go over work that you aren't happy with.

Jim

(I like my popcorn in my chair on the floor or in the bed . . . not on my ceiling.)

Reply to
Js Walker Lazenby Jr

Popcorn is heavy enough to fall from the ceiling eventually. Don't use it in bathrooms or other room that will experience hugh levels of moisture since this can accelerate the process. Popcorn is a ceiling texture applied to cover up the mistakes done during a poor drywall installation.

RB

ississauga wrote:

Reply to
RB

You still end up with the texture, though...

P
Reply to
3D Peruna

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