How to Make a Small Popcorn Ceiling Patch

Gouges, scrapes, or removal of ceiling hooks or hardware may expose small areas of bare drywall in a popcorn ceiling finish, but this quick patch may take care of the problem. It works best on areas with diameters of 2 inches or less.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ceiling paint
• Large sheet of paper or plastic
• Cat litter
• Small hammer or roller
• Plastic knife or spoon for mixing
• Small but sturdy disposable bowl or container
• Small paint brush with bristles
• Ladder

1. Read warning before starting this project.
   
   Dip about 1/2 cup of ceiling paint into a sturdy disposable bowl or small container.

2. Spread about 1/4 cup of cat litter onto paper or plastic. Look at the size of granules in existing popcorn ceiling. With hammer or roller, break up cat litter granules to match that size. Add cat litter to paint and stir well with plastic knife or spoon.

3. Position ladder, if needed, in a convenient place under missing popcorn spot in ceiling. Load bristle tips of brush with paint and cat litter. With brush almost horizontal, dab mixture on small section of ceiling spot. Fill to barely past edge of existing popcorn. Repeat until spot is filled.

4. If cat litter popcorn does not look as dense as existing finish, allow first application to dry and carefully put on a second coat.

Tips & Warnings

• One or two drops of brewed tea mixed into the paint may help in matching the patch's color to the existing popcorn finish if it has yellowed with age.
• If a ceiling's popcorn finish is original to a house built in the 1970s or before, consult an asbestos expert to see if the popcorn contains asbestos. If so, speak to the professional about other options before starting project.

Resources

• How to Remove Popcorn Ceiling

[gahazeleyes]

on 6/3/2009 Thanks for the information.