Painting a textured ceiling can be difficult. Acoustic ceilings are very porous and will suck up lots of paint, making even coverage difficult. If you try to roll paint over texture, the texture layer will often absorb the paint and peel off in big sheets. Popcorn ceilings will shed pieces with every roller pass. Here are some techniques for successfully re-coating a textured ceiling.
Paint
Most national brands sell paint especially designed for ceilings. Some of these paints are made to go directly over existing acoustic textured ceilings or fresh applications of texture with a roller or sprayer. Other paints are made to have texture products mixed into the paint and rolled onto the ceiling with the texture and paint applied in the same stroke. You may have to remove as much of the old texture as possible to ensure a good application if you're using a roller.
Texture
Texture for paints may contain a variety of solid materials like silica to give the paint a look and feel that resembles fabric or suede. Other synthetic textures create a surface that appears like old-fashioned plaster. You can apply it smoothly with a roller or sprayer or hand trowel it for a flat-trowel plaster finish. Popcorn ceiling texture is made of small foam pieces that give the surface a rough appearance. Orange peel texture gives the paint a somewhat smoother surface that looks similar to an orange peel. Be careful removing or painting over old textures. Prior to 1980, many textured ceiling finishes contained asbestos.
Spray Application
The most effective way to paint over texture is with spray paint. You don't have to touch the old texture and you can apply the paint more lightly and evenly. It's a full day's work for a professional and a couple of days for a do-it-yourselfer. You'll have to use lots of drop cloths and masking tape to protect everything in the room. Painters disagree on the best technique, but most agree that several light coats are essential. Allow to dry thoroughly between coats. Very heavy and wet applications of paint can result in the texture peeling off.
Roller Application
Roller painting is not recommended, but can be done if you have a deft hand. Never make more than one light pass at a time over the texture. Allow coats to dry thoroughly between applications. This will be time consuming, but you cannot hurry painting over texture or you'll soon have a huge mess, a blotchy application and peeling. Use a small, almost dry brush to cover corners and the edge of walls.
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