Can You Paint A Popcorn Ceiling?

Popcorn ceilings may not be as common in new builds today, but plenty of homes still have them, especially older ones. They can look surprisingly good when they're well cared for, so it's no surprise that some homeowners might choose to keep their outdated popcorn ceilings. Their textured finish hides minor imperfections and adds a bit of character to older spaces. With a fresh coat of paint, these ceilings can look clean, bright, and updated without the cost or mess of removal. So the answer to the question: Can you paint a popcorn ceiling, is a definite yes, as long as you check for peeling and cracks before starting, use the right paint, and apply it using the right method that will enhance your ceiling and not damage the popcorn texture.

Before you get started, it's helpful to understand what makes painting these ceilings a little different from flat ceilings. The texture absorbs more paint than a flat surface would, especially if they have not been painted before, but with the proper tools, a gentle touch, and a bit of preparation, you can give a popcorn ceiling new life. This project is manageable for most DIYers and can instantly refresh a room, making it feel cleaner and more polished. When painting your popcorn ceiling, you never want to use bright or highly saturated colors that can detract from your room. For the best results, choose a shade of white you like or another very light color like pale gray or very pale yellow.

Before you start painting, inspect your ceiling. If you notice any spots that are peeling, crumbling, or flaking, fix these so your ceiling looks good as new first, or your new paint job will be in vain. If the home was built before 1980, you will want to have it tested for asbestos before you do repairs or painting. You can have professionals come test, or you can gather the sample yourself and send it off to an accredited lab to get your results. Home test kits are not always accurate, so it is better to have professionals handle this important test. 

The best way to paint a popcorn ceiling is with a paint sprayer. Using a sprayer saves time, provides uniform coverage, and allows you to paint the ceiling without having any contact with the popcorn texture, so nothing is disturbed or damaged. It also prevents the surface from becoming saturated, which could cause the finish to flake off. Make sure to have all the safety equipment on hand for spray painting the ceiling, including goggles, appropriate masks for painting, and a paint respirator. Tape any areas you don't want to paint and cover any furniture and carpets. Cover your ceiling fans and light fixtures, too. Using a flat or matte acrylic-latex interior paint for ceilings, start on one side of the room and use the sprayer with a sweeping motion, overlapping your passes by half as you go. Break the ceiling up into segments and paint one segment at a time, and then move to the next one. Continue the sweeping motion until the entire ceiling is covered. Wait a couple of hours for the ceiling to dry before adding the second coat.