Popcorn ceilings can make your space look ugly and outdated. If you own one, you might wonder if plastering the popcorn ceiling can improve the ambience of your space.
The short answer is yes. You can put plaster over the popcorn ceiling to rid of the rustic look. The process isn’t that complex. All you need is to gather the necessary supplies and prepare the ceiling for plastering. Keep reading to learn about the supplies you need and the plastering process.
Should You Put Plaster Over Popcorn Ceiling?
Plastering your ceiling is always an option if you want to ditch your rustic ceiling for something that improves the glamor of your space. However, the method could risk you of asbestos exposure if your building dates back to the 1980s and back.
So, should you put plaster over the popcorn ceiling? Yes, you can safely plaster your ceiling to replace its speckled textured with a new attractive look. All you need is to take the necessary safety measures to avoid possible health risks and dangers.
For instance, you need to:
Wear protective gear: To avoid exposure to harmful elements lIke asbestos. Asbestos was a popular material in most rustic buildings’ ceilings as it could play a significant role in heat insulation. However, scientists realized that friable asbestos fibers could cause lung cancer and other health complications when inhaled.
With that said, you should always wear PPEs like respirators, eyewear, disposable gloves, etc., to protect yourself against the elements when scrubbing the ceiling. The PPEs will also protect your eyes from dust and other stray elements.
Work at a safe height: You should work from a safe height, whether sanding or plastering the popcorn ceiling, to reduce the risk of falling.
Ensure your working site is safe and well organized: The space should have correct health and safety notices, first aid resources, and other safety measures should be followed.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Plaster Over Popcorn Ceiling?
If you were to ask, many building experts would describe the process of putting plaster over the popcorn ceiling as simple. However, this description is only valid once you have access to the right tools.
So, what tools do you need to put plaster over the popcorn ceiling? Examples of tools you need to plaster your popcorn ceiling include a joint compound, joint drywall knife (4 to 6 inches), plastic covers, plastering tray, step ladder, painter’s tape, water, and paper towels, among others.
Below is a brief description of each:
Joint Compound: A drywall compound/ mastic/ dry mud is a white powder mixed with water to form a paste that you’ll need to apply to your ceiling. It is the primary raw material for your plastering project. You can use the pre-mixed, lightweight, or all-purpose joint compound depending on your preferences.
Plastering Tray/Bucket: For holding the mixture of the joint compound paste for efficient scooping while plastering
Drywall Joint Knife: For applying the joint compound on the ceiling
Stepladder: To give you a leg up to access the ceiling comfortably
Plastic Cover/s: To secure the furniture and other house items from dust and joint compound paste.
Painters Tape: For protecting unwanted areas and creating crisp lines for a quality outcome
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Paper Towels: For clean-up purposes like wiping the windows and doors and drying hands after the project.
Make sure you assemble the above tools and keep them in an accessible place to make your work efficient.
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Plaster Over Popcorn Ceiling?
After collecting the necessary tools, the next step is to prepare the ceiling and your interior space for the plastering phase.
Suppose you are renovating your living space and have furnished it with expensive furniture, electronics and other items you don’t want to come in contact with the joint compound paste. In that case, you need some preparation to avoid messing with your property.
So, what preparations do you need to put plaster over the popcorn ceiling? You can prepare your space by clearing the clutter, covering the indoor items, and scraping and scrubbing the ceiling before applying the plaster.
Below is a detailed description of the steps.
Step 1: Clear The Clutter
If your space is overfilled with bookcases, wall pictures, house plants, congested countertops, electronics, furniture etc., you need to move the mobile items out to increase your working space. Remember, you will need some free space to allow easy arrangement of the indoor items while plastering the ceiling.
Step 2: Cover The Furniture And Other Items In The Working Space
The plaster may be easy to clean off from the furniture. However, it would be easier to cover the furniture and other items with a plastic cover since you will only need to remove the cover and have your seats in their pristine condition. So, ensure you cover your indoor items and floor with a plastic cover.
This is also the right time to remove any vent covers off the vents and color them to give them a new look.
Step 3: Scrap And Scrub The Surface
Now that your furniture is safe, the next step is to prepare the ceiling for plastering. You must scrape the rough surface and streamline the uneven areas by scrubbing.
Sprinkle the ceiling with water and allow it to set. Use the joint drywall knife to scrap away any removable rough layer. Next, identify the uneven areas and use sandpaper to scrub them off. Move to the next step once done.
Use masking tape to cover the areas of the wall that you don’t want to alter with the plastering material. The tape will also prevent color from spreading to the wall and other delicate areas should you paint the ceiling.
Step 4: Test Your Plastering Skills
You should perfect your plastering skills before the actual project. Put the joint compund in a plastering bucket and test it on an inconspicuous space or a board.
To test, scoop a ¼ or ½ a cup with your joint drywall knife and then apply it along the surface of a board at a 45-degree angle. Practice until you perfect it. This section should prepare you for the final step: putting plaster over the popcorn ceiling.
How To Put Plaster Over Popcorn Ceiling
If you didn’t shape your plastering skills in the step above, this section will take you through how to put plaster over a popcorn ceiling.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 30, 2022.
To put a plaster over the popcorn ceiling, scoop at least ¼ cup using your joint drywall knife and then position it at a 45-degree angle against the ceiling. While maintaining the 45-degree angle, pull the knife along the ceiling. Make sure you apply enough paste to cover the popcorn as required.
Continue until you cover the entire space. I prefer using 2 x2 feet portions until I cover the entire space. While I don’t intend to invalidate your plastering strategy, I find my trick effective as it helps me maintain uniformity.
Your plaster will look incomplete if you don’t attend to its corners and edges. To smoothen the edges, put 1 inch of your plaster knife’s edge at a 35-degree angle where the ceiling connects to the wall. Pull or gently smoothen the top without digging a hole.
Alternatively, you can do this using the tip of a plumb bob or your index finger. If you are to use your finger, ensure you eat plastic globes, as contact with the joint compound can irritate the skin.
Be sure not to block the vents in your ceiling while plastering. To avoid this, you can apply 1 inch of joint compound around the vents. That way, it is easy to unblock them should you cover them.
Finally, be sure to paint the ceiling after plastering. You can try colors like white, beige, light mustard, yellow, or whatever pleases you.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 30, 2022.