The Guide On How To Paint A Popcorn Ceiling
- Devin Spahr
- Apr 14
- 6 min read
Looking to learn how to paint a popcorn ceiling? We get it. Popcorn ceilings were once the go-to ceiling finish for homes across the U.S. Now, they're seen as outdated and difficult to maintain. If your home in Tucson still has popcorn ceilings and they’re starting to look yellowed, dusty, or just plain tired, you’re not alone. Many homeowners find themselves wondering what to do with them and if they should paint over them.
While removing them completely is one option, it’s not always the easiest, cheapest, or best. Painting your popcorn ceiling can be a great alternative—especially if you want to refresh your home without having to do a major renovation. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to paint a popcorn ceiling, what to look out for (including asbestos risks), and why sometimes it’s better to call in professionals like the crew at Spahr’s Painting in Tucson. If you live in the Tucson area and need your ceiling painted, give us a call or click the button below to get your free estimate!
Why Popcorn Ceilings Exist in the First Place
Popcorn ceilings (also called acoustic or stucco ceilings) became popular between the 1930s and the 1990s. Builders loved using them because they were quick to apply, helped hide mistakes, and even offered some soundproofing between floors. For years, they were a budget-friendly way to finish ceilings without spending time on detailed smoothing or finishing.
But trends change. These days, most homeowners prefer smooth, flat ceilings that give a clean, modern look. As a result, homes with popcorn ceilings are now considered outdated. In some cases, they may even lower a home’s value—especially if they’re stained, yellowed, or flaking.
What’s the Easiest Way to Deal With a Popcorn Ceiling?
Short answer: Paint it. If the texture is still in good condition, painting is a simple way to clean up its appearance without dealing with the mess and cost of full removal. It’s a lot more affordable than tearing out the ceiling texture, and it can dramatically brighten up a room.
Here's how to do it right.
Step-by-Step: How to Paint a Popcorn Ceiling
1. Check for Asbestos (Yes, This Is Important)
If your home was built before 1985, your popcorn ceiling might contain asbestos. This mineral was used in ceiling textures for its strength and heat resistance—but it’s now known to cause serious health issues when disturbed and inhaled.
Before you paint or scrape anything, get the ceiling tested by a professional. If asbestos is found, don’t worry—you can still paint over it safely as long as you don’t sand, drill, or damage the texture.
2. Get the Room Ready
Painting ceilings is messy, and popcorn ceilings tend to shed tiny bits as you work. Cover your floors and furniture with plastic sheets or drop cloths. Remove or cover light fixtures and ceiling fans, and tape over any areas where the ceiling meets walls to keep lines clean.
3. Dust Off the Ceiling
Popcorn ceilings collect dust easily. Use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum with a brush attachment to lightly remove any buildup. Be gentle—too much pressure can break off pieces of the texture.
4. Cut in the Edges
Use a small brush to cut in along the ceiling’s edges and around any lights, vents, or alarms. This gives you cleaner lines and makes it easier to roll the rest of the ceiling.
5. Check for Absorbency
Popcorn ceilings vary in how they absorb paint. To find out how yours behaves, flick a few drops of water on the surface. If the water sinks in right away, your ceiling likely doesn’t have a glossy coating and will take paint easily. If the drops bead up, the surface is slick and might need a light coat of primer before painting.
6. Choose the Right Roller
Use a roller with a thicker nap to handle the texture. A ⅜-inch nap works for ceilings witha lighter texture, while a ½-inch nap is better for deep or rough popcorn finishes.
Attach your roller to a painter’s pole and roll paint onto the ceiling in light, even passes. Don’t overload the roller with paint—too much can cause the texture to sag or peel.
7. Let It Dry and Add a Second Coat
Wait at least two hours before applying a second coat, or longer if it’s humid. Tucson tends to be dry, but if you’re painting during monsoon season, ventilation helps. Run a fan or crack a window to move air through the room. Apply your second coat in the opposite direction to reduce roller marks and get even coverage.
8. Do Final Touch-Ups
Once the second coat dries completely, step back and look for missed spots. Touch up as needed with a small roller or brush.
How to Clean a Popcorn Ceiling Without Ruining It
Popcorn ceilings can trap dust and smoke, especially in kitchens and living areas. When cleaning, it’s important not to damage the texture—especially if you’re unsure whether it contains asbestos.
Here’s how to do it safely:
Lay down tarps to protect floors and furniture.
Wear a dust mask and goggles.
Use a soft vacuum brush, a feather duster, or even duct tape on a roller to remove loose debris.
For stains, try a small spot-clean with a damp sponge and mild soap. For smoke or mildew stains, a mix of bleach and water may help—just test in an inconspicuous spot first.
Let the ceiling air dry overnight, using fans or opening windows to help speed it up.
What Type of Paint Works Best?
Use an interior acrylic-latex paint with a flat or matte finish. Flat paint helps mask the uneven surface of the popcorn and gives a uniform look. And since ceilings don’t usually get a lot of hands-on contact, you don’t need to worry as much about using a washable or durable finish.
How Much Paint Do You Need?
Flat ceilings usually need one gallon for every 400 to 500 square feet. Popcorn ceilings, because of their surface texture, need more. Plan on using two gallons for every 400–500 square feet to get full coverage with two coats.
Thinking About Removing the Texture Instead?
Painting helps, but some homeowners would rather just get rid of the popcorn look entirely. That’s totally doable, but it’s more work and expense than painting.
If the ceiling doesn’t contain asbestos, the texture can be sprayed with water, softened, and scraped off. But it’s messy, requires proper prep, and may still need patching and retexturing afterward.
The average cost to remove a popcorn ceiling in Tucson ranges from $1 to $2 per square foot, depending on room size and whether any hazardous materials are involved. That usually puts full-house removal somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500.
What You’ll Need If You Try It Yourself
If you’re a confident DIYer and want to attempt popcorn ceiling removal, here’s a quick list of tools you’ll need:
Plastic sheeting and drop cloths
A wide scraper (6–12 inches)
Painter’s tape
A mud pan to catch falling texture
A spray bottle or pump sprayer to dampen the ceiling before scraping
Safety gear (mask, goggles)
Keep in mind: if you hit drywall seams or gouge the surface, repairs can get tricky fast.
Why Hire a Professional Painter in Tucson?
Removing or painting popcorn ceilings might sound simple at first—but it’s more time-consuming and physically demanding than most people expect. Plus, without the right prep, you risk making a big mess or damaging your ceiling.
Here’s why it might make more sense to hire Spahr’s Painting:
You don’t have to buy tools or guess at the right materials.
We handle all the prep and cleanup, start to finish.
We know how to safely deal with older ceilings that might have asbestos.
Our team delivers smooth, consistent results that last.
You get your time back while we take care of everything.
Whether you want the texture gone or just a fresh coat of paint to revive your ceiling, we’ve got the skills and experience to do it right.
Conclusion On How To Paint A Popcorn Ceiling
At Spahr’s Painting, we’ve been helping Tucson homeowners update and improve their spaces for years. From quick ceiling refreshes to full popcorn ceiling removal, we offer honest advice, quality work, and a stress-free process from start to finish.
Our painters are friendly, experienced, and pay attention to the details—so whether you want to paint over the popcorn or have it professionally removed, we’re here to help make it easy.
Give us a call or request a free estimate online. Let’s get your ceilings looking fresh and your home feeling new again.
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