Repairing Tape & Nail Marks on a Drywall Ceiling

Scrape off the existing plaster from the taped drywall seam, using a drywall knife. Take off as much of the plaster as you can.

Scrape deeper at one end of the line, until you expose the drywall tape under the plaster. Push the knife under the tape and get hold of it with your fingers. Pull the tape away from the wall, slowly, so it doesn’t tear. Take it all off, exposing the whole seam between the drywall sheets. Scrape off any remaining plaster pieces with your drywall knife.

Lay mesh drywall tape over the whole seam, from end to end. Spread joint compound over the mesh tape with the drywall knife, covering the tape completely and making the seam a little wider than the tape. Get the compound smooth and flat.

Dab a little compound over the nail marks. Get it flat and smooth.

Let the compound set for eight hours. Use the knife to scrape it lightly, knocking off any bumps or peaks.

Spread a second layer of compound over the seam. Make it slightly wider than before and keep it flat. Spread another flat layer over the nail marks.

Repeat steps 5 and 6, letting the compound dry, scraping off the high spots and adding another layer.

Let the third layer dry for 12 hours. Sand it smooth with your drywall sanding pad. The ceiling is ready for repainting.