How to Spackle a Ceiling

When it comes to ceiling work in your home, more and more homeowners are opting to do it themselves. Most ceilings are finished with a thick paste known as spackle. Spackle can be used to prep a dry-walled ceiling prior to painting, finish a ceiling with special textures, or repair ceiling damage. Many people feel that spackling is best left to contractors, but it's a relatively easy home project that can save you lots of money when you do it yourself. But where do you start when using spackle on your own home project? Below is everything you need to know to get your ceiling spackling job started.

An Introduction To Spackle

Spackle is a paste made up of limestone, mica, water and more. It comes in two varieties: all-purpose and topping. For most homeowner's projects, all-purpose is the type which should be used. The size package that you will need to purchase depends largely on the size of the spackling project; packages come in twelve pound, forty eight and sixty one pound sizes.

Tools You'll Need

Fortunately, there are very few tools needed to complete a spackling project, and they are all relatively inexpensive. You will need a spackling tray, an inside corner tool and spackling knives in various sizes. All of these tools should be available at your local hardware store, in addition to the spackle itself.

Spackle has to be mixed, and mixed well, prior to application. Well-mixed spackle has the consistency of creamy peanut butter. The best (and least-tiring) way to achieve this consistency is with an electric drill and mixing paddle attachment. If you don't have those, vigorous mixing over several minutes should do the trick (but it will wear you out). Once the spackle is mixed and your tools are at hand, you're ready to move on.

Spackle Away

When re-spackling a ceiling, your first step will depend upon the type of spackled finish already in place. If you currently have a popcorn-style spackled ceiling, then you'll need to get a special kit to remove it. Other existing spackled styles, such as a "Spanish Lace" finish, require no such prep. Simple apply your spackle generously to the ceiling, and smooth it out with a spackle knife. Allow it to dry, and then paint over with your choice of ceiling paint for a professional, finished ceiling.