How To Remove Painted Popcorn Ceilings

Removing drywall textures that have been painted can be very difficult and Max Strip has the DIY solution that can help! Drywall textures have many names to describe the style of texture but they are all created with drywall mud compound. So no matter if you have popcorn, stomp, swirl, orange peel, knockdown, or any other name for your texture its all the same when it comes to removal. Mud compound by itself is a water soluble material that can be removed with just water however once it has been painted which is often the case it becomes very difficult to penetrate with water solutions. Max Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover is a dust free removal solution that will penetrate through multiple layers of paint and soften your drywall texture. Below is the everything you need to complete your project. Be sure to watch the how to remove video at the end!

First thing you need to do is gather your materials you will need:

1. Max Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover (coverage is approx. 120 sq ft per gallon)
2. Painters' Tape
3. Plastic sheeting (thin plastic is better)
4. Container for product
5. Wide brush
6. Step ladder to reach
7. Broom
8. 6 - 10 inch mud spatula
9. Paint tray
10. Clean cloth
11. Water 

Step 1 Prep

You want to start by taping off any surfaces you do not want to treat with plastic. Be sure to protect your floors and any painted surfaces before application. If you can remove your furniture before hand it will make the project much easier. This type of removal project can be a little messy so protect your stuff!

Step 2 Apply

Shake Max Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover very well then pour product into a container. Apply a thick even coating to surface. Tip: work in manageable sections (one room at a time) so you can cover treated areas with plastic before product drys out. Tip: if you drip EZ Strip on anything you don't want it on wipe clean with water immediately to neutralize.   

Step 3 Cover 

Max Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover is a water based remover that stops working if it drys out. For removal times that require an over night set time (thicker textures or textures painted with oil based products or multiple paint coatings) cover treated area with plastic. Tip: apply plastic sheeting by taping the starting edge to the wall (here is where you need some help) have someone lift up the opposite edge while you push the plastic up to treated surface with a broom, plastic should stick to wet product. Continue to tape edges as you go until entire treated surface is covered. Then use the broom to push out any air bubbles so you have a tight seal. This will keep the product wet and working and improve texture penetration.  

Step 4 Scrape

Once texture is soften enough to scrape peel back plastic and scrape surface with your mud spatula catching falling material with a plastic lined paint tray to minimize mess. Softened material should scrape off fairly easily and fall with no dust. Be sure to scrape a long the drywall tape seems not against. You do not want to remove the drywall tape that covers the seems between drywall boards. Scrape evenly along seems without too much pressure to remove texture but not expose tape.

Step 5 Wipe

To finish wipe surface with a damp clean cloth. Be sure to remove any remaining Max Strip product
and texture. This will ensure you have proper paint adhesion. Max Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover cleans up with just water. All tools and containers can be cleaned with just water. Be careful to not over saturate the exposed drywall a damp cloth is all you need. Let surface completely dry before patching and painting. 

Thank you for reading! For purchase details and more removal info for Max Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover and other removal products from Max Strip visit the website @ MAXstrip.com