Repairing a Hole in a Popcorn Ceiling?

How to Patch Holes in a Popcorn Ceiling
Repairing a popcorn ceiling can be tricky. The textured material tends to fall off when it is touched or brushed. The color or texture may be hard to match. Also, you must determine if your ceiling contains asbestos. If you are not sure, call a licensed asbestos abatement company. You should wear eye protection and possibly a filter mask.

Tools and Materials Needed:
Drop cloths
Ceiling paint and new popcorn texture
Water
Rags and Sponges
Sander and Scraper
Roller and Edger
Masking tape

Putty knife
Ladder
Cat litter
Step 1 - Get the Room Ready
Put down drop cloths or paper, and mask around the ceiling

For small holes, you can mix paint with non-clumping cat litter and spread it over the hole. Smash up the cat litter first so the pieces are about the same size as the ceiling texture pieces. Very small holes, such as those left after a ceiling hook is removed, can be filled a little spackle and textured with a putty knife.

Scrape off some of the popcorn ceiling around the damage. Scrape as much as necessary to make sure no dampness is left in the textured material. Sand and prime the area.

Step 2 - Spray Your Patch
There are products available in spray cans that patch holes in popcorn ceilings. Spray over the hole until it seems to match the original ceiling.

Do not spray too much on the ceiling because it may sag. Sprayed material may flatten if you paint over it.

Step 3 - Spread New Ceiling Material

You can buy fine, medium or coarse grade aggregate depending on which one matches the pieces in your ceiling. Mix the aggregate with ceiling paint to get a thick material. Try it on a spare board or piece of drywall if you want to make sure it looks right. Spread it over the hole with a roller. An edger may be necessary if the patch is near the wall. If the patched area doesn't look right, it may help to roll over it again without adding more mix to the roller. Try and roll out any patterns in the patch. The water, rags and sponges are for cleaning the stuff off all the places where it wasn't meant to go.

When it's dry, you can add another coat if it doesn't look thick enough. Not too much, the textured material may pull off the ceiling.

Step 4 - Paint

If the popcorn ceiling was painted, re-paint it to match the original. If there is water damage, the leak has to be fixed and all the damaged wood, drywall, or other material in the ceiling has to be replaced. Once the job is done, your ceiling should be as good as new for years to come

Read more: www.doityourself.com/.../how-to-patch-holes-in-a-popcorn-ceiling...
good luck.