How to Finish a Ceiling With Sheetrock Mud

Apply a coat of latex primer to the ceiling with a roller if it has a glossy surface. Note that primer should not be needed if the ceiling is unfinished drywall or is painted with flat ceiling paint.

Mix drywall joint compound in a 5-gallon bucket using the directions on the compound package. Ensure that the consistency of the compound is not too dry, making it hard to spread, or too wet, making it difficult to stay on the drywall knife. Transfer some the mixture to a mud pan.

Start in one corner of the ceiling. Apply a thin coat of the mixture to the ceiling with a 12-inch-wide drywall knife in a 4-foot-by-4-foot area.

Skim the applied mixture with the knife to remove excess compound so that only a very thin layer is left on the ceiling. Note that the final layer of compound needs to be only as thick as what will adequately cover the minor imperfections in the surface of the ceiling.

Continue applying compound and skimming it off in 4-foot-square areas until the entire ceiling has been covered.

Allow the first coat of compound to dry completely. Apply a second coat -- if desired -- using the same techniques, allowing it to dry thoroughly.

Sand any imperfections in the compound with medium-grit sandpaper. Finish-sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper. Use a sanding block or a block of wood between the sandpaper and the surface, instead of your hand, to get a smoother finish.

Paint the finished surface with latex ceiling paint to seal the compound.