Easiest way to clean a textured ceiling coated form years of smoking with TSP?

[Tom Maurer]

One of the apartments I have has a textured ceiling (it was there when I bought it). The long time tenants who are moving were heaving smokers. I read in another post advice that said clean with TSP and then paint with an oil based primer. The problem is that the ceiling is textured. What's the easiest way to wash that well with TSP? Thanks in advance!!

[Andy Sabisch]

There are a few solutions here.

First, consider removing the texture ceiling.  Spraying it with a water bottle and scraping in off with a 6-8 inch blade (the type to spread drywall mud), it will come off easily.  Since it could have asbestos, wear a mask and dispose of the material you remove.  Allow it to dry, touch up any spots that need it and repaint with ceiling paint.

The TSP option will wind up pulling your ceiling off anyway so I have not used TSP on ceilings - walls yes or ceilings that are drywall or plaster but not texture. The oil based Kilz (red can) is what we use on our projects to seal difficult areas.

Hope this helps