Smooth Out Unsightly Textured Ceilings

Textured, or "popcorn", ceilings were very popular in homes built before the 1990s. While they served a purpose in hiding imperfections, these bumpy ceilings can now look dated and dirty. Fortunately, with some work, you can smooth over that unsightly texture to create a clean, modern-looking ceiling.

From essential tools and materials to step-by-step application methods, we've got you covered.

Necessary Tools and Materials

Before starting any ceiling scraping or smoothing project, it's essential to gather the proper supplies. Having the right tools will make the work much easier and minimize mess and frustration. Here's what you'll need:

• Drywall joint compound - Pre-mixed all-purpose joint compound works well for skim coating ceilings
• Joint knife or trowel - A 12" knife should suffice for most ceiling jobs
• Smoothing blade/squeegee - Used to smooth the joint compound and minimize brush marks
• Paint roller and extension pole - For applying primer and ceiling paint
• Sandpaper - Both coarse and fine-grit sandpaper for smoothing
• Paintbrushes and paint tray
• Painter's tape
• Drop cloths - Protect your floors and furnishings
• Stepladder - To comfortably reach the entire ceiling area
• Utility knife - Used for scraping off existing texture
• Dust masks, eye protection, and gloves
• Plastic tarps or ceiling materials to seal doorways/openings
• Fan brush and shop vac - For cleaning debris
• Plastering pan

Prepare the Ceiling Surface

Remove Existing Texture

If you're starting with a pre-textured ceiling, you'll first need to remove the bumpy material. This is the most labor-intensive part, but also the most important prep step.

Cover floors, walls, and furnishings in the room with drop cloths and plastic sheeting to minimize dust. Block doorways and HVAC openings with plastic tarps. Apply painter's tape where the ceiling meets the walls to keep them protected. Wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling bits of texture material.

Use a spray bottle filled with water to lightly dampen the surface of the ceiling. Let it soak in for 15-20 minutes--this helps soften the texture to make scraping easier. Using a 4-6 inch taping knife or wallpaper scraper, scrape off the textured material in clean strokes. Apply firm pressure to remove all bumps. Aim to scrape until you hit the flat drywall layer underneath.

Use a shop vac with a brush attachment to frequently clean up debris as you work. Avoid letting piles of texture material accumulate on the floor. Continue scraping, vacuuming, and dampening sections until you've fully removed the old texture.

Fix Cracks and Holes

Once stripped, inspect the ceiling for any cracks, holes, or major flaws. Use painter's caulk or drywall compound to patch and seal minor cracks. For larger holes, cut away the ragged edges of torn drywall and patch over the hole with a piece of fresh drywall (known as "drywall floating"). Secure it in place with drywall screws.

Skim drywall compound over imperfections using a taping knife. Apply two to three skim layers until patched areas are completely smooth. When dry, scrape or lightly sand patched areas.

Clean Thoroughly

Your stripped ceiling will likely have residue from the old texture, dust, grime, and more. For the smoothing compound to properly adhere and create a flawless finish, thorough cleaning is a must.

Use a general cleaner like TSP Substitute or Krud Kutter and scrub with a long-handled brush to remove dirt and residue. Rinse the ceiling using a hose sprayer wand or by wiping with damp microfiber cloths. Allow the ceiling to fully dry before moving on. A clean, bare drywall layer is vital for success.

Apply Wallboard Compound

With your textured ceiling removed and bare drywall prepped, it's now time to skim coat it with wallboard compound (often sold as drywall joint compound). This material fills in pores and creates an ultra-smooth finish. There are several types to choose from--for ceiling skim coating, pre-mixed lightweight compounds are easiest to work with.

Protect the walls, flooring, and remaining furnishings by laying drop cloths in the room before starting the application process. Pour some joint compound into a plastering pan and thin to a yogurt-like consistency with water. Load some onto a 12-inch smooth-edged trowel and apply a tight, thin layer across a 2x2 foot section of ceiling. Press firmly to fill in dips and flaws in the ceiling's surface.

Once covered, immediately go back and flatten the compound using a smooth-edge trowel or special skimming blade. "Feather out" the edges where it meets dry areas of ceiling. Work in small sections and re-fill your trowel frequently, keeping a wet edge to prevent lap marks between batches. Let sections dry fully between coats.

Apply two to three skim layers this same way, keeping each smooth and allowing proper drying time between applications. Lightly sand finished areas to reduce imperfections or rough spots between coats. The final skim layer should leave your ceiling looking totally smooth and flawless.

Sand for Smoothness

Though the skim coating process aims for a smooth finish, you'll still likely have some slight imperfections. Sanding levels out minor high and low spots for a perfectly uniform surface.

Allow the final compound layer to completely dry and harden overnight before sanding. Use a handheld drywall sander with 150 to 220 grit sanding discs. For ceilings, attach sandpaper to an extension pole for better leverage and a comfortable working height.

Gently sand the surface using broad circular motions to create an even plane. Avoid focusing too heavily on one area. As you sand, use a shop vac with brush attachment to continuously vacuum up dust. Continue sanding and dust removal until the entire ceiling feels silky smooth to the touch.

Prime and Repaint

With the ceiling now smooth, the final steps are applying new paint for a gorgeous, cohesive look.

Use painter's tape to define clean edges along trim and walls. For the best finish possible, apply 1-2 coats of high quality wall/ceiling primer formulated for smooth wallboard and plaster. Allow proper drying time between coats. Priming seals the porous compound and creates a neutral base for the new paint color.

When priming is complete, carefully remove tape before edges get stuck underneath. Finish by repainting the entire ceiling with 2-3 fresh coats of premium ceiling paint in a matte, eggshell, or satin sheen. Apply using a smooth roller on an extension pole for easy coverage. Remember to cut in edges with an angled brush.

Step back to admire your revamped, flawless ceiling! No more unsightly bumps and grooves marring the space.

To keep your newly smooth ceiling looking pristine for years to come, be sure to:

• Gently dust or vacuum to remove cobwebs and surface debris
• Keep humidity levels steady to avoid buckling or cracks
• Promptly patch minor cracks that develop to prevent spreading
• Repaint every 3-5 years or when you notice fading

By taking good care of it, your fresh smooth ceiling will maintain its beauty and enhance your rooms for decades.