How to Repair Chipping Paint on a Ceiling

Ceiling paint can chip for any number of reasons including age, plumbing problems, roof leaks, other condensation issues or shifts in the foundation. No matter the cause, those unsightly flakes on the ceiling can mar the appearance of an otherwise lovely room. While completely stripping the paint from the ceiling and refinishing the ceiling is an option, it requires more time and money than may be available. Before undertaking a large home improvement project, try repairing the chipped areas until you have the time and money to invest in a large-scale remodeling effort.

Plastic sheeting or tarp
Quart-size spray bottle or sponge
Paint scraper
Paint

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the cause of the chipped paint and make any necessary repairs.
- 2
  Cover the floor and furniture in the room needing repair with plastic sheeting or tarp.
- 3
  Fill a quart-size spray bottle with warm water and spray the area with the chipped paint. If the area with chipped paint is near an electrical fixture, then wet the area with a damp sponge instead. Be careful not to get water into electrical fixtures.
- 4
  Use a paint scraper to remove all the loose paint from the area.
- 5
  Allow the scraped area to dry completely.
- 6
  Touch up the scraped area with the same color paint originally used on the ceiling. You may have to apply two or more coats of the paint before you achieve the desired color. Allow each coat of paint to dry completely before applying another coat as the color varies when wet.

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