How to Stipple a Ceiling by Yourself

How can you stipple your ceiling?

One of the most common textures for a ceiling is stippled. Stippled ceilings are often confused with popcorn texture. Popcorn ceilings are lumpy, and the finish resembles small pieces of popcorn stuck to the ceiling. The popcorn texture requires special equipment and some practice to perfect. Stippled ceilings, on the other hand, just require one hand tool and the technique is very easy to learn.

Things You'll Need

• Joint compound
• Joint compound trowel
• Ladder

Instructions

1. Clean the ceiling to remove all of the dust and dirt. Joint compound will adhere better if the surface is clean. If the ceiling is dusty, the compound will peel away over the years.

2. Use one edge of the trowel and joint compound to fill in any cracks or nicks in the surface of the ceiling. Filling in imperfections in the ceiling's surface will provide a better surface for the compound.

3. Wait for the patches to dry completely. Joint compounds vary in formula, so follow the directions on the package to determine how long it takes for yours do fully dry.

4. Climb the ladder so you are closer to the ceiling. Dip the trowel into the joint compound, so that the trowel is dripping wet.

5. Press the wet trowel onto the ceiling, and pull it directly down. Avoid wiggling or sliding the trowel. The motion is directly on, and directly down and off.

6. Repeat this motion until you have created a stippled texture over the entire ceiling.

Resources

• http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0696213273?ie=UTF8&tag=ehow-articles-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0696213273