You want to use the spray bottle because dabbing the mix on the ceiling can damage the sometimes brittle popcorn texture.
How to treat water stains on popcorn ceiling.
You can remove them with a mild bleach solution.
Apply a light coat of the stain blocking primer over the stain to cover it while avoiding dripping.
Popcorn texture absorbs water based paints ultimately requiring much more paint.
Wear protective eye wear as the bleach is a fluid you will need to apply above your head.
If the ceiling was painted before you will need to repaint the section where the stain was.
Start by finding the cause of the leak and repairing the problem to prevent damage in the future.
The bleach will have cleared out the most intensive stains around your ceiling.
Let the primer dry then roll on your new paint or use your sprayer.
A popcorn ceiling cleaner can be applied in the next step to improve upon how well the bleach works and to keep the ceiling from becoming discolored.
Be careful not to get the ceiling too wet.
There are two main ways to attack a water stain on a popcorn ceiling drawing the stain out or covering it up.
Scrape off the damaged or water stained popcorn texture the best way to patch your small area stained water damaged popcorn ceiling is.
Dip a soft cloth in the solution wring it out and use it to gently dab the stains on the ceiling.
Purchase a spray can of stain blocking primer or sealer.
Use a sponge or rag that s damp with clean water to wipe the bleach mixture on the ceiling in a controlled manner.
Use a protective breathing mask to protect yourself from harmful dust and fumes.
Put plastic sheeting under the area you will be working.
For lighter woods like knotty pine you can use oxalic wood bleach to remove the dark stains caused by water.
The first way to try and draw the stain out is with a concoction of bleach and water mixed into a spray bottle.
Spray cans work better than a brush especially on popcorn or textured ceilings.
Use an oil based or acrylic paint.
Donning protective gloves and goggles climb up the ladder and wipe down the stain with a clean sponge saturated in the bleach solution.
A product like the instagone stain remover can work.