Hey everyone! I recently tackled the big job of scraping off old popcorn ceiling, and now I'm wondering what my next steps should be. The ceiling is unpainted and has a few stained spots from an old water spill. While the first room I did is a bit uneven, the rest are looking fairly smooth considering I'm new to this. I'm aiming for either a flat finish or something smoother than the popcorn texture. I really want it to look great, but it sounds like getting a truly smooth finish might be the hardest option, especially since I'm doing this myself. Any tips on what I should do next? Should I use primer, skim coat, or paint right away? Help me out!
1 Answer
If the ceiling is in decent shape, you can just prime and paint it with a flat paint. Just keep in mind that paint won’t hide texture flaws, so if you're looking to smooth it out more, go for a skim coat before priming. Skim coating can be tricky at first, but most DIYers get the hang of it eventually. Another option is to add a light knockdown texture to cover imperfections while keeping it easier to maintain. Just remember to paint it after you're done!