HOW TO REMOVE POPCORN CEILINGS LIKE A PRO!! Smooth Skim Coat DIY

DIY POPCORN TEXTURE REMOVAL for the BEST results! How to SKIM COAT and SAND a DRYWALL CEILING so it's SUPER SMOOTH!
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1 1/4" Roller: amzn.to/3xMKSMw
Sander: amzn.to/3tYmFla
0:00 - Prep like a PRO
0:29 - Spray / Wet Popcorn Ceilings
0:56 - How To Scrape Popcorn Ceilings
3:13 - How To Skim Coat Your Ceiling
5:22 - How To Sand Drywall Ceiling Smooth
6:35 - Second Coat of Thinset Skimcoat
7:09 - Squarespace code: MODERNBUILDS 10% OFF
8:12 - Final Sanding w/ Amazon Drywall Sander
9:08 - Before & After
9:33 - Outro and Thanks for Watching!!
Where I Get My Music (Free Trial): www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
How to Scrape Popcorn Ceilings.
How to Skim Coat Ceiling.
Skim Coat Walls DIY.
How to Remove ceiling texture.
How to Take Down Acoustic Ceiling Texture.
Aggregated Texture Removal
Amazon Drywall Sander Test
Thanks for watching!!
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Thanks for watching!
-Mike Montgomery
MODERN BUILDS
Hi, My name is Mike Montgomery and I'm a MAKER; a designer, builder, and full-time content creator. Accessibility is my focus with Modern Builds, not simply accessibility of designs, but accessibility in materials, information, and projects themselves. I've focused on creating furniture and DIY projects that are simple enough that any beginner maker can accomplish, yet interesting enough that any expert might be inspired. Building and making is becoming less and less of an exclusive hobby and profession. My goal is to reduce that separation even further.

[@chozen863]

Thank you confirming the fact I need to hire someone lol

[@faithhopeloveinc1893]

yo sexy ass I'll come do it for you

[@aliciabutler6879]

😅😅😅

[@maeg.1331]

Exactly lol

[@woodsfamily]

Lmao!

[@pamgrimm8850]

The first thing I got an estimate on when I bought my house was removing the popcorn ceiling. $3000! I’ll live with the popcorn. 😳

[@andrethib]

the skim coat after removing the popcorn is a good idea; in my experience, a lot of tract houses had popcorn on the ceiling not just because that was what people expected, but it also helps to conceal poor/rushed drywall installation

[@bradmaas6875]

If you're doing a texture, then all you need to do, by code is one layer with tape and spotting to nails/screws. It is easier and faster to do texture, so it's also more cost effective than a smooth finish.

[@ModernBuilds]

Exactly!!! That drywall had a lot of wavy-ness

[@thedumbassspeaks]

Dude, that’s impressive! You presented like a pro!

[@melissad.1885]

This is THE best video that I've seen for popcorn removal, hands down. Great job!

[@ModernBuilds]

Glad to have those old popcorn ceilings out of the Joshua Tree Cabin, If you have any tips I didn't highlight, leave them here so that viewers can find them! Always wear a respirator and be safe! "Painting Kitchen Cabinets" video coming up next!! 😁

[@californiacritic9779]

Appreciate all the content you provide. Keep up the good work.

[@youtubecomments2346]

Keep it up

[@scottyB5950]

I purchased a used one as the piece is a bit pricey, but the machine kzbin.infoUgkxG6fbm3cHBd7CNTjk5D-dwYe9c9tCB9ZN has surpassed my expectations. We sand small parts by hand often, sized around 1"x1/2," and specifically look for a piece that's designed to be vertical. The motor has plenty of torque and great speed settings. The only inconvenience I had is that the disk measures 5" where we trim 6" stick-and-sand disks down easily by mounting it then cutting with a box cutter.

[@Drewdoode]

Great work Mike! Love the prep work that made for an easy clean up. This is perfect timing for this we are planning to do this to our bathroom.

[@StraightRocketFuel]

Would highly recommend using a ventilator fan while sanding to vent the airborne dust outside. Opening windows can work if the wind is right but if it’s too windy it’ll blow your plastic around and let dust get underneath. Not windy enough and the dust just doesn’t move. The fans are great for venting paint fumes as well so worth the investment IMO, especially if anyone is living in the house while the work is going on.

[@marklacy4448]

Incredible work for a DYI, I am a home improvement contractor and would not have done much differently. Great work! Run some BM super hide drywall primer over it then 2 coats of ceiling paint it will be glass!

[@lawrencehull9859]

So you can use skim coats and leave it. Does this act as paint or something? I'm green a hell sorry

[@teresabell1014]

What a satisfying video to watch, great job.

[@nerdcave0]

Impressive man, that is a LOT of work. Part of me wonders if just cutting the ceiling off and laying in a new one would be easier. 😆

[@ModernBuilds]

Just about but I would want to have to lift all those panels!! 😂

[@californiacritic9779]

@@ModernBuilds they have a drywall lifter. You line up the panels and crank it up into place. Real back saver. Makes one man jobs nice and easy.

[@randygreen007]

Better yet why not use ceiling tiles over it?

[@somestuffithoughtyoumightl6985]

Which would be more cost effective? DIY vs pro for both options?

[@flandrensinteriors3428]

Pre 1980 drywall also contained asbestos. You can seal over or have it removed professionally if it contains asbestos

[@asahisagoiboi3517]

They quoted 1800 dollars for this in my whole house. Worth it if you ask me.

[@jamiedorsey4167]

Not sure where you live. But where I am, that's about what I would charge for a living room size room.

[@talha682]

It's soo hard waiting for your videos man! Post often and save a life

[@tlit3284]

Thank you so much for video!!! 100% helpful 👍🏻

[@jmert_5859]

That looks oddly satisfying.

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Very nice job.. Turned out very well there. Looks lot better keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend. Keep making. God bless

[@pinkfreak0105]

I keep coming back to this video to try to hype myself up to do this in my whole house. But i swear my arms get sore just from watching 😭

[@jarekr5784]

dude that is so awesome, you inspire me to do stuff around my own house!

[@GinoVee]

Good stuff, Mike. Always look forward to your videos!

[@patricia7606]

Fantastic! Thanks

[@sabertoothsc]

We actually just did this on a job last week, it's a process I enjoyed quite a bit, even if it was annoying at times

[@ModernBuilds]

Makes a BIG difference!

[@cynthiawilliams5131]

You forgot to mention that you should go the opposite direction when doing the second coat to fill in any holes.

[@youtubecomments2346]

Thats a lot of work i will be sure it will be worth it good job mike

[@grat2010]

So helpful. I tried removing mine (after testing for asbestos) , made a mess and gave up. Now I'm ready to tackle it again.

[@ModernBuilds]

Awesome!! You got this!

[@MichaelGalletly]

That eye-pro looks great on your forehead. It would look a lot better on your eyes. Other than that, I love watching you work and learning stuff from you.

[@FullMoon7]

Im subscribing! You are the Best

[@bobbylinn7729]

Got that dexter kill room vibe going

[@ModernBuilds]

Big time! 😂

[@geritisdale-brock7247]

This is so helpful. Other videos I've seen, people just started priming/painting after taking popcorn off...which is what I did as well, and the paint would fall off the ceiling once it dried. I'll try this on my next day off!

[@-clif1987]

It’s probably your dust and or no primer. The ceiling needs wiped brushed off like he used his broom but I’d towel it off if possible.

[@Digitallyferal]

Will future generations “rediscover” popcorn ceilings? How do we warn them

[@ricksimons1541]

Travel to the future. They must be warned!

[@timmclaughlin1787]

Well done man. Like perfection. I have done some and have a whole house to do in Florida. I liked the roller idea to apply the spackle. I think this would be the way to go but then do a knock down texture.

[@-clif1987]

You probably don’t need to sand if the knock down. I didn’t.

[@yvettemedina1859]

Great video One should no the process. Definitely I will hire someone..

[@tjmyers321]

Thank you!!!

[@Beu8791]

Excellent!!!!!! 🦘🤗🪃🙂

[@johnjones6077]

Nice job. We’re you able to sand your spot repairs perfectly flush and blended into the second skim coat. I have a very hard time getting the two to blend perfectly. There’s always a small faint line around the edge of the spot repair. It never blends invisibly. You can see it unless you shin a flashlight across it. That’s why we usually prime then do the spot repairs. This way we can sand and feather the edges of the spot repairs to make them invisible. Then the spot repairs need to be spot primed and if you have a lot you just reprime the whole thing. It’s extra work but it’s the only way I can get it perfectly smooth

[@alonsomendoza1775]

I like the way the goggles protect your forehead.

[@jhayrios5514]

😂😂😂😂

[@scorpio6587]

Very nice

[@xfarsys]

Nice!

[@sunstar2310]

Cute!

[@johnblack3332]

What kind of dish soap you were using? thank you

[@rolinger1]

QUESTION @ModernBuilds - how long did this entire process take, how many days, how many hours per day - whats the square footage of the ceilings that were redone? We have a 1000sqft rehab home that we need redo the entire ceiling for. There are two of us, but we need to account for the time this ceiling effort will take....or for that size ceiling, what would we expect to pay to have it done?

[@aventurerocurioso]

Llevo haciendo este trabajo por casi 10 años y puedo decir que lo hacemos yo y mi equipo muy similar. este chico menciono que no tenia mucho tiempo haciendolo y se entiende. lo unico que podria agregar es que al momento de pasar el rodillo con masa en el cielo no pegarlo en las paredes ya que no se ve muy profesional y ademas te ahorras el tiempo en que limpias eso, tambien al aplicar la primera capa es mejor mezclar el material de secado rapido 90 minutos con masa regular y te evitas de lijar y en la segunda capa una capa super delgada de masa regular y listo. todo lo demas esta perfecto.

[@paulnaylor6035]

As a plasterer most people wouldn't do this as the clear up mess would be horrendous and people would find it too hard work above your head skim over it here's my number 🤣

[@c.a.g.1977]

Well done Mike! Any tips on what to apply to the ceiling of a bathroom after removing this popcorn texture?

[@ModernBuilds]

Same steps, just make sure and paint it so it doesn’t come in contact with water

[@alexnicolas9135]

Waiting for the walls episode!

[@tituschalk]

How likely is this method to work if the surface under the popcorn isn't drywall, but say plaster and lath? ie will the texture still separate, or will it bring down the plaster, too? Thanks for any advice!

[@woonha4481]

I need this answered too

[@sueco5636]

Thank you for this video, wonderful work, you make it look so easy. What is your opinion about skimming ceilings on the top of popcorn ceilings please?

[@bobseguin2195]

It can be done, if your ceiling has been painted, it won't come off as in this video. But rather then skimming like in the video, trowel the mud on, fairly heavy first coat, will take at least 3 coats. It's a big job, even for a pro.

[@jamiedorsey4167]

As Bob said. I'll add make sure to go one direction for the whole skim coat and switch directions each coat.

[@bignamek]

Do you have any plan on painting the ceiling? Would you be able to when adding this sort of flat texture?

[@ruthandrade3826]

I was wondering the same!

[@mun-munanimation7271]

Thank you, this video really helps !!! Question !! If I do the test and the ceiling does have Asbestos.. can I still do this ? ( I would wear the same thing with the mask and all the protection needed)

[@mun-munanimation7271]

@Modern builds

[@merrilynedwards5008]

Which sander did you get from amazon

[@pamgrimm8850]

How many rooms or square footage was involved with your home? I only have a three bedroom, but this would take me years.

[@GoodVibesOnly1914]

I have a doublewide and it has partical board cieling with drywall mud texture. I'm trying to use a ceiling sander to knock most of the highs down to reduce need for 3 skims, but man, its a b word. Using a cheap sander and its heavy as hell, you about need to be the hulk to use it. Im so jelous of those who can just scrape if off. Anyone have any other ideas?

[@pablohu6935]

Where u get the asbestos kit?

[@jennagagnon974]

As someone who has lived with popcorn ceilings their whole life, I, my friend, am very jealous.

[@HerbertAtkinson]

Lot of work, years ago my parents removed their popcorn ceiling in the living room they did not use anything else after the stuff was removed they primed painted the ceiling & turned out very nice, extra work is not always necessary.

[@nooshka]

question, I'm getting my popcorn removed ATM and the contractors are suggesting we do "skip trowel" instead of smooth because it may finish better + cheaper. I'm hesitant to replace one texture with another as I'm trying to modernize my home. Any thoughts / advice over whether smooth is that much better for a modern. house vs skip trowel or if that it may look janky if my framing isnt perfect isnt worth the extra cost? truly at a loss here.

[@userchooser]

What did you end up doing and how did it turn out? Also, what was the final cost? I have to have popcorn ceiling removed in my living and bedroom areas (approx. 500 sqft), so info like this is so helpful.

[@MAGAMAN]

"You can totally leave them like this" No, you absolutely cannot!You need to fix all the problems and then seal them before you paint or your paint will start to come off. Ceilings with popcorn texture are not done the same was a smooth ceiling would be done because the popcorn will hide any errors. If you don't skim coat your ceilings your ceiling will look terrible.

[@dennisschickling2249]

Nice Work. Just like a SUPER PRO. #STAYSAFE #PHILLYPHILLY 🇺🇸

[@narithkhem8109]

Where to buy asbestos test kit?

[@sohailsyed63]

The pop corn removal is not as simple as shown in this video if it is painted as it is hell of a job to remove it by 12 or 18 inch scraper even if you use water spray before scraping.

[@susiekim5728]

Looks great! Popcorn ceilings are the worst.

[@lizettlm7098]

How much does a job like this normal cost? Great video!

[@ricosrealm]

$5k at least, but depends on sqft. if it's like 1000 sqft it's going to be in the thousands to scrap and level 5 skimcoat.

[@joniruqi8603]

Can you just paint it after you remove the popcorn ceiling or you have to do something else

[@TrueColorPR]

You have to fix small holes and sacraches probably fix some spots tape,sand ,prime ,sand and paint.

[@danielstephenson2748]

Wait, you said do an asbestos test but never said what to do if it’s positive. Did these ceilings have asbestos? My ceiling does. I was quoted at 20k from a contractor, which is a no go, but I’m also not willing to risk cancer. 😅

[@kathleensorensen6574]

Asbestos can stay in place. If you dont mess with it you will not be exposed. Just paint it, or plank over it.

[@LawrenceRichards-kd3ms]

I'd suggest dry walling over the asbestos. You can get a thin drywall.

[@KyleenDrake]

Drywall stilts? Or too slippery?

[@TheDeathblowX]

My whole house is popcorn ceilings which have been painted over by the previous owner. I'm assuming your ceilings weren't painted with how easy that came off?

[@jamiedorsey4167]

It can still scrape off well if it only has one or two coats of paint. After that you just have to do your best to scrape the nubs off and then its generally around three skim coats, alternating directions, to get it smooth.

[@Pontiacdreams]

The square space ad was as long as the presentation!

[@prestonbear3651]

Does this work with painted popcorn texture. I do asbestos abatment and the painted ceiling texture is always such a bitch to remove

[@FreeDom-fv8wy]

Did you consider leaving the popcorn on and skim coating over it?

[@timmclaughlin1787]

I did that one one project. I took a 12 in trowell to knock off the high stuff then floated a layer of spackle over top. It gave it a semi textured finish not smooth but that was fine with me.

[@user-cw8vy6lf7v]

You can mix the all-purpose with a 90-minute

[@alfonsotalavera8217]

You could it just sand that joins and prime and paint also 3 times less work

[@flowerstar0196]

I rather spend $200 of material than $3000 for someone else to do it

[@californiacritic9779]

Momma says, "Popcorn ceilings are the devil."

[@ModernBuilds]

😂😂😂 just spray them down with some high quality H2O and scrape them clean 😂

[@californiacritic9779]

@@ModernBuilds 🤣

[@pablohu6935]

Where u get 3m plastic 8 feet long?

[@dcmirk]

I bet the next owner sprays popcorn all over the ceiling. hahaha

[@user-xj3ch4hf7y]

Is that asbestos in it

[@dilligaf2386]

Yer but stipple effect Artex in the UK doesn't work by wetting

[@user-wk1uc8of4q]

More content

[@marymccowan6629]

What do you do if the popcorn ceiling has been painred

[@timhowell8923]

Ours was painted and contained asbestos, so we had to hire professionals to remove it. They still destroyed the sheetrock and all of it had to be covered with new sheetrock. If yours doesnt contain asbestos (and you're not rich enough to pay someone to replace all of the sheetrock) I would highly recommend not bothering with removing it. It's not worth the hassle/money IMO.

[@juanito3821]

@@timhowell8923 it would have been easier to skim coat over the popcorn.

[@debbymccormack6525]

I loved watching you work! I went to Amazon though and that sander is 179.00, not 100 :(

[@ModernBuilds]

It’s gone up already!! I got it 149

[@debbymccormack6525]

@@ModernBuilds lol, not to nitpick but you said in the video it was 100 bucks. That's quite a difference from 149. You did a beautiful job on your ceilings btw.

[@tuenglish9218]

hi

[@hannahfagerlie6562]

What if it's painted?

[@Rizko505]

Can't imagine the shoulder and arm pain afterwards hahaha

[@katem2411]

Darn, that is some work. I need to scrape the ceilings in my house and all I can say is don't wanna... thanks for showing how to do it well, but I'm really wondering if I wouldn't find it easier and less dusty (that electric sander really didn't seem to do much for the dust) to just plank on top of the popcorn.

[@pattiamaya4671]

Will it work if the popcorn ceiling has been painted?

[@ModernBuilds]

That would work!! I just don’t have and ceiling height to lose 😁

[@plasticmonument320]

Never thought this would be 3 days of work lol

[@briannekueny7019]

I'd say know the age of your house, a 70's popcorn on plaster and lathe from the 30's is way different process than the one done here.

[@femalej7776]

👍

[@goldenart1215]

Daily reminder that popcorn ceilings are fucking stupid!

[@JulieHerrick]

And if it tests positive for asbestos, then what?

[@StewieGriffin505]

You call an abatement company and take out a huge loan.

[@1965JB]

For the 4 houses in the country where the popcorn hasn’t been painted 20 times!

[@SOSPainting]

Pro Tip: add glue to your 90 minute mud because it has poor adhesion and if you get it wet with a second coat of mud or primer, it tends to flake off 😮

[@aiden6022]

what kind of glue?

[@SOSPainting]

@@aiden6022 i just use gorilla glue

[@subliminal128]

God Idk why people do popcorn ceiling

[@noven8380]

What are you talking about Mike???

[@portalmaster2]

@@noven8380 bro why are you even on this video you’re like 8

[@megandahle7047]

Where can I see the supplies list? I’m not seeing it? Not a KZbin pro…don’t judge me 😅

[@tuenglish9218]

like vids

[@user-jb1bp9xc9x]

This is best case scenario...its very difficult to remove once it has been painted 😢

[@jeffgoesrandom4217]

So not so much dust comes off....as the dust comes spilling off...

[@TheRayDog]

To emphasize, don't use a timed (90 in his first half) compound as a DIYer. We're slow and need pre-mixed's generous work time.

[@philabot]

1-800-super-pro!!

[@venkatchainuru9480]

What if there’s asbestos

[@randolphyuen388]

You really didnt need to skim coat it after you scraped the popcorn off...it was flat like the gyproc originally. All you needed todo was skim coat the joints in the gyproc.

[@timmclaughlin1787]

Thought the same. The house is not worth more money if flipping but if it is for you then yeah.

[@BackwardsR3LLIK]

What about if its painted?

[@timhowell8923]

I replied to another comment like this above, so copying my experience here: Ours was painted and contained asbestos, so we had to hire professionals to remove it. They still destroyed the sheetrock and all of it had to be covered with new sheetrock. If yours doesnt contain asbestos (and you're not rich enough to pay someone to replace all of the sheetrock) I would highly recommend not bothering with removing it. It's not worth the hassle/money IMO.

[@ModernBuilds]

I’ve seen people skim coat over painted popcorn ceiling…. Not sure how tough it is but might not be bad