Artex Ceiling — 5 Ways To Safely Deal With Artex (DIY Guide) (2023)

Artex is a water-based covering used to decorate ceilings with a textured finish. It had its heydays in the 1970s when the spiky or swirling effects it produces were considered high fashion. However, in today’s IKEA generation, an artex ceiling looks very dated and is a pain to repair and clean.

If it’s time to bid farewell to your artex ceiling, there are five ways you can remove it: ‘Scrape and Sand’, ‘Cover with Plasterboard’, ‘Wet Plaster Over’, ‘Steam, Scrape and Sand’ or use ‘Eco Solutions X–Tex’. The best option for you depends on many things, including the age and condition of your ceiling.

This guide looks closely at each of the five methods and provides everything you need to know before deciding how to remove Artex from your ceiling.

In a Hurry? Find top-rated plasterers in your area by clicking the button below:

IMPORTANT: Asbestos and Artex

Until the mid-1980s, Artex was made with asbestos to strengthen it. In 1999, the UK government banned using and importing chrysotile asbestos.

If sent airborne, asbestos is extremely toxic and can severely damage your health. Do NOT scrape orsand downartex ceilings without taking the advice of a trained asbestos expert. Only those trained to remove asbestos should do so. If you are unsure, contact your local council for more information.

Preparing the Room for Artex Removal

No matter which of the 5 methods you choose, you must dedicate time to prepare your room for the mess that will inevitably follow.

Tools and Materials

Please note that the tools and materials listed below are just for the preparation stage and should be used for all 5 methods. Additional tools and materials required for each of the 5 methods are provided under the Tools and Materials sections.

• Safety goggles, dust mask and rubber gloves.
• Plastic sheeting.
• Canvas drop cloth (carpet) or Rosin paper (hard floor).
• Step Ladder.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The steps below will help you reduce most of the mess, but for a comprehensive list of tips and tricks, check out our guide toPainting A Room With No Mess – 27 Top Tips.

Remember, these steps should be carried out regardless of your chosen method.

1. Ideally, move all furniture to another room, but if this isn’t possible, stack furniture in the centre of the room and cover it with plastic sheets.
2. Cover all non-removable items with plastic sheets.
3. Lay down a canvas drop cloth for carpet floors and rosin paper for hard floors.

The plastic sheeting and floor covers protect furnishings and flooring from dust and debris. They will also make things easier when it comes to cleaning up.

Artex Removal Method 1: Scrape and Sand

WARNING: As mentioned above, do NOT use this method before your artex ceiling is inspected by trained asbestos professionals. Failure to do so could severely damage your health.

Tools and Materials

• Utility Knife or a stripping/joint knife.
• Joint compound.
• Bucket.
• 4-inch taping knife.
• 220-grit sanding block.
• Cloths.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Put on your safety goggles, dust mask and gloves.
2. Mentally divide the ceiling into sections and tackle one at a time using the techniques below. Take your time, don’t rush it.
3. Use a utility knife or a stripping/joint knife to slowly chip away at the texture and create a smooth surface.
4. Mix joint compound in a bucket as per the instructions on the package.
5. Using a taping knife, skim the surface with a thin layer of joint compound to smooth out imperfections. Leave to dry overnight before moving on to step 6.
6. Using a 220-grit sanding block, lightly sand the surface until it’s smooth.
7. Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth before painting.

Artex Removal Method 2: Covering with Plasterboard

Scraping off artex is a tough job, not to mention dangerous if it contains asbestos. Another option, often preferred by the Pros, is to cover the artex with plasterboard.

However, covering a ceiling with plasterboard is no simple task, as it involves; heavy lifting, plenty of time, mess and some skill.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Fortunately, I have written a comprehensive guide on How To Plasterboard Ceilings. Therefore, please check it out instead of repeating the whole method here.

Artex Removal Method 3: Wet Plastering

WARNING: As mentioned above, do NOT use this method before your artex ceiling is inspected by trained asbestos professionals.

As with dry lining, wet plastering over artex will avoid the pain of scraping it all off. However, you will still need to scrape off the ‘high spots’ and remove any flaking sections. Therefore, you MUST get your artex ceiling checked by asbestos professionals before you start.

Tools and Materials

Tools

• Utility knife or a stripping/joint knife.
• Buckets.
• Large emulsion brush.
• Electric drill and mixing paddle attachment.
• Plasterer’s trowel and hawk.
• Spray bottle.
• ½ inch soft paintbrush.

Materials

• 220-grit sanding block.
• PVA.
• Skim plaster.
• Cloths.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Before you start, wear your safety goggles, dust mask and gloves.

Part 1 – Prepare Artex Ceiling Surface

1. Remove any loose or flaking artex parts.
2. Use a utility knife or a stripping/joint knife to remove all the artex stipples (‘high spots’) that hang down.
3. To simplify plastering and improve the final finish, sand it flat with a 220-grit sanding block.
4. Paint the artex surface with PVA adhesive, which will help the plaster stick and slow down moisture absorption.
   • Dilute the PVA with a 1:1 ratio with water and mix well.
   • Using a large emulsion brush, paint the PVA solution on the ceiling and leave the PVA to dry (roughly one hour).
   • Apply a second coat and then leave to dry again.

Part 2 – Skim Plaster Artex Ceiling

1. Follow the instructions on the packaging and mix the plaster to a smooth consistency. To make mixing easier and faster, use an electric drill with a ‘paddle’ attachment. Set the drill at the lowest speed possible to avoid messy splashes.
2. Apply skim plaster to the artex surface using a plasterer’s trowel and hawk.
   • Place a maximum of two full trowels of mix onto the hawk.
   • Cut into a small chunk of the mix with a trowel angled at 90° to the hawk.
   • Tilt the hawk towards your body while at the same time scooping and pushing the trowel away.
   • Spread the trowel’s plaster evenly across the surface. Don’t try and smooth it yet.
3. Wait for the plaster to reach a goldilocks condition of beginning to firm but not going hard. At this point, smooth the plaster with a clean trowel, starting at the same location you began skimming.
4. Continue smoothing the surface in the same order you skimmed it. If the plaster hardens while you’re working, spray on some water. Note: once the skim has set hard, the only way of smoothing it is by sanding.
5. Using a ½-inch soft and wet paintbrush, define edges and corners.
6. For non-porous surfaces, wipe clean with a damp cloth.
7. For porous surfaces, wait for it to dry before you clean up the mess.

For more info on how to wet plaster over an artex ceiling, please watch the video below:

Wet Plastering Tips

• Don’t place too much plaster on the trowel or hawk.
• Cover the whole surface with a uniform thickness (max 5mm) so that the entire area takes the same amount of time to harden.
• Divide the ceiling into distinct and separate areas and do it one at a time. Do not rush and try to do the whole ceiling in one go. Remember, divide and conquer!
• Mix just enough plaster for the area you plan to do next, no more, no less.
• Between mixes, clean your tools and buckets.

Artex Removal Method 4: Using a Steamer

WARNING: Asmentioned above, do NOT use this method before your artex ceiling is inspected by trained asbestos professionals.

If done CAREFULLY, scraping off artex can be made much easier by softening the artex with a wallpaper steamer.

The important word here is ‘CAREFULLY’, as removing artex with a steamer can become extremely messy and time-consuming if not done properly. The trick is to leave the steam plate in one spot just long enough for the artex to soften but not liquefy.

Tools and Materials

• Wallpaper steamer.
• Same tools and materials as the ‘Scrape and Sand’ method.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Put on your safety goggles, dust mask and gloves.
2. Warm up the steamer and gently press its plate on the artex while testing its softness every few seconds (see step 3 below).
3. Test frequently with a utility knife or a stripping/joint knife to monitor how soft the artex is becoming.
4. Follow steps 2-4 in the ‘Scrape and Sand’ method above when soft enough.
5. Repeat the process above for the entire ceiling, covering one small area at a time. Do NOT rush it!

Artex Removal Method 5: Applying Eco Solution’s X–TEX

One of the best ways to remove artex is by using this fantastic product. Simply put, when X-TEX is applied, scraping off artex becomes MUCH quicker, easier and safer.

To learn more about X-TEX and how best to use it, please watch the video below:

Tools and Materials

• X-TEX.
• Large emulsion brush.
• The same tools and materials from the ‘Scrape and Sand’ method.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Put on your safety goggles, dust mask and gloves.
2. Paint X-TEX over the artex with a large emulsion brush.
3. Wait for it to soften. For a single layer of textured coating, this should take between 15 and 30 minutes. For surfaces with several coats of paint, you might have to wait up to one hour or so. Follow the instructions on the packaging for further info on this.
4. Once the artex is softened, follow steps 2-4 in the ‘Scrape and Sand’ method above.

Don’t fancy doing this job yourself? Find top-rated plasterers in your area by clicking the button below:

Final Thoughts — Which Artex Removal Method Should You Choose?

The answer ultimately depends on the time and money you are willing to spend, your skill level and the current state of your ceiling.

One critical factor in making this decision rests on whether your artex ceiling contains asbestos. If it does, you only have two options. I.e. hire trained asbestos professionals to remove it or cover it with plasterboard.

FAQ — Artex Ceiling

Below are the answers to frequently asked questions about artex ceilings: