Ugly popcorn ceiling discolored with bald spots!Suggestions welcome..

Armstrong ceiling tiles installed with easy up clip system.

On youtube there is a video of how to remove the popcorn with water spray, wall paper scraper, and a vacuum cleaner.

you have limited options...

cover it,

http://www.decorativeceilingtiles.net/ceiling-tiles/

or remove it (and deal with whatever is underneath).

if your home is more than 40 years old?

assume the stuff has asbestos in it, which means a careful removal of soggy mess while wearing disposable clothing, a hat, and SOME KIND OF MASK.

there are patches on the market, I have never seen them look like anything but patches.

I removed mine years ago then had it redone. I know, I'm crazy. Actually I loved it in my dining room with some silver glitter sprayed on when they installed it. However after a lot of years, it was a mess. I decided to paint it, but the wet paint brought it down. So I finished bringing it down, cleaned every thing up and had it resprayed with the silver glitter. I still love it. (Can't help myself.....)

Bottom line, take it down as described above. It doesn't look good that way and from my experience there is no way to make it look better without redoing it. If you don't like it you'll have to take it down. BTW, I used large cheap plastic sheets and taped them to the top of the wall where it met the ceiling. Then I taped more across the floor from hanging piece to hanging piece so everything was covered. It made cleanup much easier. Good luck. :)

Trust me -- I will shout to the rooftops NEVER have popcorn ceilings!!!! Through the years I've scraped most of them, but last two times had ceiling tiles put in (Country Classic Plank) and WOW -- I love those two rooms!!! Rooms were fairly large (12 x 24) and the cost wasn't bad. Hmmm maybe Armstrong should give be a commission for telling people how wonderful it makes a room look again?!

You can paint it . Use a sealer primer on the spot/let it dry. Paint the entire ceiling with a roller brush used for masonry. Do not apply a lot of pressure like you would painting a wall or brick, just paint it lightly. You may have to do two coats and Some of the popcorn will come off, but most will stay in place. This will cost you for a small can of sealer/primer like kilz or zinsser. A gallon or 2 of paint depending on the amount of surface to be painted and a roller, roller cover and a cheap extension pole to reach the ceiling. If you hate the popcorn and want to remove it, go for it, it is a messy job and it is best to use a pump sprayer to soak the popcorn ahead of trying to scrape it off. The popcorn has something in it that adheres it to the ceiling so you have to really get it wet and wait a few minutes before you scrape or you will be doing a lot of rescraping or leave little spots that will show up when you paint. Also, clear all furniture and cover the floor really good. If it gets on carpet, it is pure*&$%#@ to get out. I would love to see what you do with it.

Check this solution at www.floridaceiling.com can help you with this.