If you scraped the popcorn off of your ceiling, you may notice that there is still residue left behind. After you sand the ceiling, remove any stubborn residue by using a dampened block sponge. Apply new texture. You can utilize a joint compound as a base for a new texture on the ceiling.

Smooth After Scraping Scraping alone won't leave you with a paint-ready ceiling. It's likely you'll have some small dings and gouges to fix. At a minimum, you'll have to sand the ceiling to get it perfectly smooth before painting.

You should start with coarse grit (60-80) sandpaper and finish with a super fine grit (180-220) for better results. Cleaning the surface: After sanding the ceiling thoroughly, you should wipe away the dust with a damp cloth and let it dry completely before proceeding to the next step.