Repair Cracked Ceilings With Flair
Have plaster ceilings with a few cracks? Want to keep the original to that old historic home? Hate drop ceilings? Can't afford to tear down and replace the ceiling? If you have ANY of these problems, this is the article for you.
Contents
Steps
- Buy a {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} bucket of joint compound.
- Using a cake decorating tip, Star tip preferred, fill the decorating bag full of joint compound. (You will need to refill as it runs out.) Just like you would if you were using icing for a cake.
- Starting where the wall and the ceiling meet, going to the center of the ceiling, or toward the light fixture. Turn the tip on it's side and follow the cracks in the ceiling. Pushing the joint compound out in a vine like stream. Complete all the "Vines" by following the worst cracks. Some of the smaller ones will just look like part of the design when the project is finished. The Vines will be random as the cracks are and cross each other. This creates the character and charm. Now is a good time to also add some swirly ones, intertwine, and some loops for artistic flare. Don't overdo it by not leaving room for all the leaves and roses!
- Now change the tip to a leaf tip. On all the vines start making leaves. Arch the leaves off the vine, one direction and another, to give a realistic look. Follow all your vines, and be sure to end each vine with a leaf. Check after you finish if you need any fill ins in bald places, or unbalanced area.
- Now, turn the leaf tip on it's side and make random roses along the vine. Start with a small circle in the middle and add layers to the out side. The leaf tip makes ruffles, and each round outwards makes the rose bigger. Not too big now, 1-1/2 to 2 inches across, these are tasteful rosettes!
- Last but not least, using your finger as a tool. Get some joint compound and apply small dots along some of your favorite vines about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} away from the vine at about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} apart. Going from around 1 and 1/2 feet back on the vine to the end with the leaf.
- When finished it should look like Victorian lace.
Tips
- It doesn't hurt to have a picture of vines to look at to give an idea of how leaves are placed.
- Double the frosting bags for a no leak result.
- If any falls off, just get out the cake decorating bag and tips and fill in.
- Try some trial vines leaves and roses on a piece of cardboard.
- You might want to add a medallion to the ceiling at the light fixture to add to the design.
- You may want to paint the "artwork" the first time, with a brush to assure it covers well.
- Have more than one of each tip and bag ready, and have someone refill for you as you work.
Warnings
- Good Luck
- If you can't seem to get it right, scrape it off before it dries. This stuff dries like a rock.
