Hanging Up Another Layer of Drywall to Hide the Popcorn Ceiling

Preparation and Making the Deadman Brace

• 1

  Run the stud finder over the ceiling; It will indicate the location of each stud. When you get a positive reading, make a mark on the wall with your pencil.

• 2

  Measure the height of your ceiling and deduct 2 inches from this measurement.

• 3

  Cut a 2-by-4 piece of wood to the proper length as determined from your calculations for the ceiling height.

• 4

  Nail a small 2-by-4 on the top of the long 2-by-4 you just cut to create a "T" shape, with the 4 inch size parallel to the ceiling.

Hanging the Drywall

• 5

  Lift up the first panel with the help of a friend. Stand on the ladder with one side of the panel. Have your friend stand in the middle. Lever up the deadman brace to hold the end.

• 6

  Drive in your drywall screws through the ceiling joists. Place one screw every 12 inches. Insert the screw through the panel until the head dimples the surface but does not break through the paper. Continue until all of the panels have been installed.

• 7

  Tape the seams with self adhesive drywall tape. Press this tape down firmly so that you get a good seal.

• 8

  Apply joint compound over the seams with a drywall knife. Scrape on a thin layer of joint compound and cover the tape. The tape should not be visible. Scrape off any excess and try to get the coating as even as possible.

• 9

  Fill in the dimples with joint compound. Scrape off the excess as you work.

• 10

  Sand down the rough spots on the joint compound with a fine-grit sanding block or sandpaper. The entire surface should be smooth to the touch.

• 11

  Prime and paint the ceiling. Apply one coat of ceiling primer. Let it dry for four to six hours. Apply at least one coat of ceiling paint.