Repairing Peeling Paint on a Bathroom Ceiling

Place a dropcloth under the area where you will be working. Position the ladder or stepstool on top of the dropcloth so you can easily reach the peeling paint.

Wear a dust mask and safety goggles at all times to prevent particles from entering your eyes or mouth.

Scrape away any peeling or bubbling paint using the tip of a putty knife. Even the paint surface with 100-grit sandpaper until there are no peeling or bubbling areas remaining.

Apply a thin coat of spackling compound to the peeling areas using a putty knife. Press the compound into the ceiling, and smooth it with the edge of the putty knife. Remove any excess compound by angling the tip of the putty knife and scraping it back into the compound bucket. Allow the compound to dry according to the label instructions -- usually from one to four hours, depending on the brand.

Smooth the surface of the patched area using 220-grit sandpaper. Sand until the patched area is even with the rest of the ceiling. Wipe everything clean with a tack cloth.

Apply a thin coat of primer to the patched area. Prime the spackling compound before applying the paint, because the spackling compound absorbs the paint differently. This causes the patch spots to show through no matter how much paint you use.

Paint over the patched area using a paint roller and semigloss bathroom paint. Use a bathroom paint that is mildew- and mold-resistant to prevent future bubbling or peeling.