easiest way to get artex off?

[traineelectrician]

hi im re decorating my living room and wanting to take the artex off the ceiling to re-do as a smooth finish... anyone know the best way?

 

[3guk]

I have friends in the building trade who swear by this stuff for getting it off : http://www.decoratingdirect.co.uk/viewprod/e/ECOXTEX/

You can always steam it off, but it is a slow and messy job compared to using the product above, there may be other similar products about, I've just heard friends use this name the most.

 

[trowelmonkey1]

sounds like really good stuff but bloomin' expensive a decent size room will need at least 2 x 2.5ltr tubs so thats around £40...gulp, but then when you do a job the hard way you'll pay anything to make it easier so may be worth considering.

 

[traineelectrician]

thanks for the replies i shall try it out.

 

[caffreys]

i'm sure i saw a tip on here to use wallpaper paste, not tried it myself

 

[Richard C]

I ususally use a steamer if romoving Artex but I will always be re-plastering anyway; I mostly just skim over it now unless it’s cracked. You may go to all the trouble of using that rather expensive & potentially time consuming stripper only to find the plaster underneath is shot & needs repair/re-skimming anyway. If it disolves paint, I’d also be concerned about what preparation is necessary before overpainting as well!

It may be better option to consider paying out a bit more & get it over plastered if there are no cracks in the Artex; a mornings work for an average size room.