Repairing Cracks in Swirled Ceilings

Spread a tarp on the floor directly under the crack to collect debris. Wear eye protection and a dust mask. Place a sturdy stepladder directly under the crack and mount it.

Scrape off the texture on the ceiling directly over the crack with a putty knife. Also scrape off the textured ceiling 3 inches on either side of the crack. Use a small paintbrush to remove loose and crumbling debris from within and around the crack. Allow the debris to fall on the tarp below.

Remove the lid from a tube of paintable caulk. Position the tip directly over the crack, at one corner, and squeeze the tube to release it. Move your hand slowly along the crack while the tube releases caulk into it.

Wipe the exposed surface of the caulk protruding from the crack with a putty knife so it falls flush with the surrounding ceiling surface. Wet your finger and run it over the exposed caulk so it sets. Let the caulk dry for the time specified on the label directions.

Apply a latex primer with a brush over the repaired section of the ceiling. Let the primer dry.

Apply a small amount of ceiling texture compound over the exposed section on the ceiling using a putty knife. Use as much compound as required to form a very thin layer that covers the repaired patch.

Insert the putty knife back into the compound and scoop some out. Apply this material over the repaired patch in a swirling pattern, similar to the surrounding ceiling surface, using a textured brush or sponge.

Review the repair to ensure it blends with the surrounding ceiling surface, or create more swirls if needed. Ensure the thickness of the repaired patch matches the surrounding ceiling surface. Let the compound dry for the time specified on the label directions. Repeat the process to repair any remaining cracks in the swirled ceiling.