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If your popcorn ceiling is asbestos-free and you are ready for a new look, painting is an option. As long as there is no flaking or other wear, a new coat of paint might be just the thing to refresh the old ceiling. The best way to paint a popcorn ceiling is to use either a paint sprayer or a thick roller to cover the popcorn texture fully. (Do not forget to dust it off beforehand!)

“Note that if you eventually want to remove the popcorn ceiling, a painted ceiling is a labor-intensive job to remove and will cost more,” says Bob Tschudi. “Once painted, the process of removing the popcorn ceiling requires physical scraping as opposed to a spray-and-scrape approach. It’s very labor-intensive, and thus more costly.”

It’s necessary for paint to completely dry before exposure to rain, and that drying time varies by the type of paint used. Oil-based paint takes 6 to 8 hours to dry on average, meaning that’s the minimum time needed between the last brush stroke and the first raindrop. Latex paint dries faster at around 1 hour, and acrylic paint is even quicker, usually drying in about 30 minutes. If rain is in the forecast, check the paint manufacturer's details before laying on a new coat. 

Yes, professionals remove rust, apply primers, and use specialized coatings for long-term protection.

You can calculate a painting charge by starting with the square footage of the area you painted. If you painted one room that’s 11x32 feet (132 square feet), charging $5 per square foot would get you $660 in labor costs (132x5). You may also choose to charge extra for intricate work (such as baseboards or crown molding) or painting jobs done in complex locations. Then, you’ll need to charge for the materials used, including primer and paint, and tools like brushes, drop cloths, and ladders.