How hard is it to remove texture from a textured ceiling?

I have a 10x20 living room with a textured ceiling which makes it look a little dated. I own a palm type sander but that looks like it would take weeks. Is there something I could rent that would be faster? How bad will the dust be? Will I regret this project?How hard is it to remove texture from a textured ceiling?
It is a messy job and is best done by wetting small sections and then scraping off the texture with a wide blade floor scraper. Check out this link for a detailed list of steps to remove texture from ceilings - http://www.homeenvy.com/db/4/914.html . Note that they mention the possibility of asbestos being used until the early 1980's in the texture material to help hold it together. That may be something to consider before you decide to remove it.





If the ceiling is in good shape then you might be better off to just fill the texture with wallboard compound. You might want to prime first with a good primer sealer first before applying the compound especially if the ceiling paint has a bit of gloss.





Sand off any high spots in the existing texture, and then spread the wallboard compound over the entire ceiling using a wide (8'; or wider) wallboard knife. It will probably take a few coats to get the ceiling smooth. You do not have to sand between coats, but you should knock off any high spots or lumps with the wallboard knife (dry) before applying a second or subsequent coat. Sand smooth after the final coat. If there are still imperfections you can spot-fill them, again sanding after the compound dries.





This will still be a huge job, but maybe less involved than installing new wallboard. However, if you think you would prefer the wallboard approach, use a 1/4'; or 3/8'; thick wallboard instead of the 1/2';. Mark the location of the ceiling joists and screw or nail the new drywall into them. Back up the fasteners with construction adhesive just in case you don't hit all the ceiling joists.How hard is it to remove texture from a textured ceiling?
My daughter, husband and I tried to take textured paint off my grandduaghter's bedroom and it was SLOW going sanding it and dirty work to boot. When we had one wall almost done (and were exhasuted) my husband decided to ';mud'; over it instead. That worked great. The finish was smooth and new looking. You just have to be careful not to put it on too thick (it might crack)but making sure to conver all the points. Good luck whatever you do! You could aslo talk to someone who works in the paint department at your local hardware store and see what they have to say!
Try this , Tkae a mud knife about ten inches wide and scrape as much of it that will come off easy,


Then find a cheap virbrating sander and get some sheetrock sand paper and then sand it good , then run some sheetrock mud over it just shimming and of course filling in any holes, lightly sand that and you are ready to paint
Laminate the ceiling with 1/4'; sheetrock, use construction adhesive in addition to nails or screws for a long lasting fit.
It all depends on what the textured surface is made from if it's the old ';popcorn'; style textured stuff just take a drywall mud knife and scrape it of... If its actually plaster your going to have a much harder time getting that off.
try going to the hardware store and buying a new brick, just a normal brick used for house construction with good clean edges. put the brick up to the ceiling and push it along the ceiling. the edges will scrape off the texture and leave a smooth surface. I have used this on sand finishes and it worked real well.
You can buy a pole sander from Home Depot or Lowes. They sell it in the Paint section of the store and by the sheet rocking tools. A poll sander is basically a telescoping broom stick like pole with a flat sanding plate at the end. It is not expensive.





I would buy one of those pole sanders and an 80 or 60 grit sand paper and take a swing at it. Make sure to wear a dust mask as well.





A pole sander is the tool to use for whenever you sand a ceiling.
Usually the best, most effective way to remove texture, especially if it's quite rough, is to drywall over it. It's quicker than sanding, and will cause significantly less dust, but it's still a major chore and can get expensive unless you know how to hang drywall yourself. Unless you truly hate the ceiling, leave it as it is.
Hi...Brian R is exactly right....go to Lowe's and get a pole sander and it should not take you long at all...be sure to use protective eyewear and a dust mask (found in the paint dept)


get the proper grit sandpaper and have at it...your arms may get a little tired but it will be worth it in the end..your right textured ceilings are VERY dated.....good luck...