How do I paint over or redo a popcorn ceiling?

http://www.hometalk.com/categories/remodeling-renovating/ceiling/popcorn-ceilings

take it off...it dates your home..if it has NOT been painted, it's pretty simple. If it has been painted...hire someone because it's a pia.

I would wet it and scrape it off. It's messy, but well worth it! We've done it a few times. If the house is older than 1979, there may be asbestos in the "popcorn". If that is the case, cover with sheetrock and be done with it!

No, it's too thick. It has to be removed and it's a big messy job. Spraying it with water a square foot at a time and letting it soften and then scraping with a large putty knife. I would rather replace the ceiling with new wall biard than do that nasry job myself. Best of luck.

we use a deep nap roller (really fluffy) and use a semigloss paint. We also vacuum on a regular basis. Unfortunately, its for more cost effective for us to do this, rather than repaint, as our house is 111 years old and the ceiling is pretty wonky, and it has also been dropped.

Sorry, I mistyped... it is easier for us to do this, rather than replace...

I would remove it. I have never seen painted popcorn ceilings that end up looking very good. There are companies that do this removal work, and it is not terribly expensive. You can do it yourself by spraying the popcorn with water, letting it soak, and scraping it off with a scraper. But it is a very messy job. If the ceiling underneath is in good shape, you can just paint it with a good ceiling paint. If not, you may have to touch it up with wallboard compound or have someone do that for you.

You should have a small piece of the ceiling tested for asbestos, however. There are labs that do this work, and it is not too expensive. If it contains asbestos, I would cover with new wallboard. You can have it removed by companies that do this work, but that is expensive.