Grit selection & ideas for popcorn removal and plaster walls

[worldburger]

I'll be working a property this winter.  The home is 100 years old. It has plaster walls and popcorn ceilings.  I own a Planex but have yet to use it (or buy any sandpaper at all for it).

Ceilings: I'll be repairing some water damage and cleaning on the popcorn ceilings (and possibly removing it all together or drywalling over it in some rooms).
-grit suggestions for the planex?

Walls: There is a good deal of cracks to be repaired (and some separation in the plaster from the lathe.
- any suggestions?

I had the Planex in mind for these (and a few other projects later), but I want to be open to solving the situations and only using the tools necessary, so don't feel limited to just the Planex

These projects are an expansion of my experience as I've mostly done new drywalling and have yet to do any plastering.

As always, thanks for the help, men!

 

[Bikeboy80]

I use 36 grit Saphir to remove popcorn then 80 grit Brillant to clean it up. After a coat of heavyweight compound I use 150 grit Brillant and 220 after a final coat of lightweight compound.

I have not tried the Granat abrasives for it yet, they might work better to sand the compound. The next time that I have to stock up I will give them a try.

Word of caution...the popcorn could have asbestos in it.

 

[tbellemare]

I haven't tried Granat on the Planex yet, just Brilliant. I was disappointed in how long Brilliant lasted. I could do about a 4'x 4' section of Monterrey Drag on a wall with P150 Br2 and it was dull. My goal was to remove the texture on the walls and the popcorn on the ceilings. The ceilings were more disappointing.

I haven't had a chance to get back to it and I'm typing as I'm watching the World Series... I'll test it out again soon, hopefully.

I've used P60 Granat on the RO 90 and was VERY PLEASED with how it performed on a similar job. It was a beast that didn't give up until the backing did.

Tom

 

[polarsea1]

You should probably have a little piece of that ceiling tested for asbestos before you start sanding it.

 

[Bob Wolfe]

It may be easier, and faster, to scrape the ceiling with a floor scraper, less dust also, a test area would tell you how solid it is on.

 

[dltflt]

I would wet the ceiling then scrap it.  I think it would be less dust but not less mess.