How to Do Stucco Ceiling Treatment

Add stucco to a ceiling for additional texture, dimension and design. Decorate the fifth wall, the ceiling, by applying plaster using a trowel. Decorated ceilings are eye catching and can be painted a variety of colors, from solid opaque hues to reflective metallic. Glaze the stucco for an old world, vintage feel. Create a unique and one-of-a-kind surface by adding stucco to kitchen, living room and bedroom ceilings.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic sheeting
• Drop cloths
• Painter's tape
• Marker
• Paper
• Vacuum cleaner
• Plastic putty knife
• Light weight joint compound
• Dry wall trowel
• Medium sanding block
• Paint roller
• Paint tray
• Long nap roller
• Angled brush
• Latex paint
• Glaze

Instructions

Preparation

1. Remove all furniture and accessories from the room. Any remaining items should be moved to corners of the room, ensuring complete access to the ceiling. Cover all items in the room with plastic sheeting including window coverings and vinyl blinds. Place drop cloths on the floor to protect the surface.

2. Determine if the ceiling fan or light fixture is in the way of the plaster project. Remove the fixture or hire an electrician to do so. Otherwise, cover the fixture with plastic.
   If you choose to cover the fixture, make sure all power switches are covered with painters tape and a sign reading "Do not turn on." A moving blade can severely hurt someone painting a ceiling, and the heat from the light bulbs can melt the plastic and cause a fire.

3. Vacuum the ceiling to clean all dirt and debris from the surface. Use a soft brush attachment and wipe along the ceiling's surface and in all corners.

Plaster and Paint

1. Mask off the surface area using 1" painter's tape. Apply the tape to the adjoining areas touching the ceiling such as the molding, trim, and any areas where plaster should not be applied. Burnish the edge of the tape well by rubbing down with a plastic putty knife.

2. Apply light-weight joint compound to the surface using a dry wall trowel. Hold the trowel at an angle and apply the plaster in an organic pattern. Remember the entire surface does not have to be covered. The joint compound should be about ¼" thick; applying the plaster thicker can cause it to crack and haze.

3. Allow the plaster to dry. Lightly sand using a medium grit sanding block. Only sand to remove any loose plaster and chips. Wipe with a damp cloth to remove drywall dust once sanding is complete.

4. Paint the surface using a long nap roller. Roll the paint vertically or horizontally in long sections. Up to three coats may need to be applied to fill all the pits and grooves formed by the stucco technique. Glide an angle brush around the perimeter of the ceiling to paint any areas which the roller could not reach. Allow to dry.

5. Glaze the surface by mixing one part brown umber latex paint with four parts glaze. Mix well and apply the glaze to the stucco ceiling using a mini roller. Randomly apply the glaze mixture to the ceiling and then rub into the texture using a terry towel. Continue the technique until the entire surface is stained. Move all furniture back into the room once the ceiling is dry. Remove all painters tape; if the tape is stuck, cut gently with a razor blade. Discard any plastic used during the process and pick up all drop cloths.

References

• Muralsplus
• It's Faux Easy with Gary Lord; Gary Lord; 2004.