I've taken down the popcorn ceiling in my bathroom and living room, so now I'm left with exposed sheetrock panels. I've seen various methods on how to proceed, but I think the best plan is to sand the surface, fill in the bad spots with compound, and then apply an oil-based primer before finally painting it with flat ceiling paint. However, I've also encountered suggestions that I should prime first and then mud over the spots. What's the correct approach? Additionally, should I use pre-mixed compound or mix it myself? My bathroom has a vaulted ceiling, so I'm aiming to minimize the number of coats, even if it means waiting a while between them.
3 Answers
A skim coat is a great idea! If you're open to it, consider adding a knockdown texture for a little flair. Just keep in mind it's a different approach after the popcorn's already gone.
You don't need to go for an oil-based primer. Just use a good drywall primer after you've finished with the mud. Also, there's no need to prime before applying the mud. Pre-mixed compound is the way to go for ease, but you might want to add a little water to make it smoother. And definitely check out some YouTube guides; they've got tons of helpful tips!
A skim coat for the entire ceiling is a solid choice. You should sand it down afterwards and then prime with a PVA (polyvinyl acetate) primer. Just so you know, oil primer is overkill for this job, and PVA works best on raw sheetrock and mud, but it won’t stick well to surfaces that are already painted.