How to plaster a ceiling: techniques and tips - Builders - Building and trades

Thinking of giving your ceiling a smooth surface? Read our DIY guide a learn to plaster your ceiling like a professional.

Plastering a ceiling is a real DIY challenge, even though the mechanics are essentially the same as plastering a wall.

The combination of working directly above your head and getting the material looking as smooth as possible can be quite tricky.

It’s one of those tasks that needs to be done to perfection, as the slightest imperfections and bumps will show up when light is cast onto it during daytime, or from an internal light.

If it’s your first time plastering, you’re going to experience a steep learning curve as you pick up the techniques and tricks plasterers take years to develop.

However, with the right tools and materials, as well as a helpful step-by-step guide like this one, you can achieve a great looking plastered ceiling in under a day.

Whether you're trying to remove an artex ceiling or you're simply seeking a fresh surface, you're in the right place.

Remember: if plastering your ceiling sounds too difficult, you can always hire a plasterer instead.

If you’re up for the challenge of plastering a ceiling, read through this guide first to understand what you need to do in advance to see if it’s something you’re capable of.

You can always call in a plasterer to complete the job if it seems too daunting for you, or if you’re physically unable to do it yourself.

Only trying to deal with some ceiling cracks? A full plastering guide might not be needed. Instead, read our guide on how to repair ceiling cracks.

Before you can plaster a ceiling, you need to invest in some good quality plastering equipment and buy the right materials.

Checklist: tools and materials

You can buy all of these items at a DIY store, with many of them specifically for this type of home improvement project.

Plastering trowel
Plastering hawk
Plastering float
Plaster mix
Bucket
Power mixer
Plasterboard tape
Sandpaper
Sponge
Jointing compound
Wide paint brush
Water sprayer
Step ladder
Sweeping brush
Plastic tarpaulin (optional)

Hiring or buying a power mixer with a paddle attachment is the best way to mix plaster, but you can also do it by hand with a wooden stick or something similar.

Keep in mind that having a second person to help can be useful. While they continue to mix plaster, you can apply it (or vice versa!).

If you don’t have a helper, the plaster can begin to set. For this reason, plasterers often work in pairs.

Got everything? It’s time to start plastering your ceiling.

Before you get started mixing or applying your plaster, lay your plastic tarpaulin on the floor to catch any spills.

Plaster is difficult to get out of fabrics, so move any soft furnishings out of the room or cover them.

Here’s how to plaster a ceiling, step by step.

Step 1

First, you need a clean and flat surface to work on, so sweep the ceiling with a soft bristled brush to get rid of any dust or cobwebs.

The surface needs to be as flat as possible before you begin applying the plaster, so check to see if there are any holes or cracks.

You can push filler into these with a putty knife so they’re filled flush with the surface of the ceiling.

If you’re applying the plaster as a thin skin layer directly onto plasterboard, you can cover the joints with some plasterboard tape and then finish with jointing compound.

If the ceiling surface is very smooth, you can roughen it up with some sandpaper before applying the plaster so it adheres better.

Planning on plasterboarding your ceiling? Follow our simple, step-by-step guide on how to plasterboard a ceiling.

Step 2

Fill with the recommended amount of water indicated on the product packaging, then add your plaster mix to the bucket.

Use the power mixer with the paddle attachment to mix it together to form a smooth and creamy mixture.

It should not have any lumps in it at all, and it shouldn’t drip when you pick up the mixing tool.

Once mixed, it needs to be applied quickly onto the ceiling as plaster dries very quickly.

Step 3

Scoop up some plaster with the trowel and place it onto the hawk.

Climb your step ladder and get close to the ceiling so you can reach it with a 90-degree angle of your bent arm.

Take the trowel and take just enough plaster from the hawk, then begin spreading it over the surface of the ceiling.

Use long strokes and angle the trowel away from the ceiling slightly, rather than holding it flat.

Work it back and forth in small patches until your hawk is empty, then repeat the process and move the step ladder so you can reach the rest of the ceiling.

If you notice any parts starting to dry out, take your spray bottle and mist it to make it workable again.

Towards the edges, you can use the paintbrush to push the plaster right to the edges, then smooth with the trowel.

Step 4

Unless you’re just applying a very thin 2 mm skim coating, you should wait until the plaster dries slightly before applying another coat.

On this second coat, you’re aiming for a consistent thickness across the ceiling.

Just before it has dried fully, you can use a plastering float to provide a smooth and perfect finish.

Leave the room to dry and don’t expose it to any extreme temperatures Once it’s dry, you can paint the plaster.

A close-up shot of someone plastering a ceiling.

Plastering is a skill that can take a while to get right, even if it just seems like spreading material on a wall evenly.

We’ve provided some extra plastering tips so you can get the best results for your project.

Find a suitable position on the ladder that you’re comfortable with first, with the ceiling around 8 inches above your head
Don’t stand directly underneath the area you’re trowelling as some parts can fall off into your eyes
You can plaster directly over an artex ceiling, but when repairing an artex ceiling you need to apply a much thicker coat of plaster
Don’t overload your trowel, work in small batches taking it straight from the hawk, as it can create an uneven surface
Plunge your mixing tool, trowel, and hawk straight into a bucket of water when you’ve finished using them, as it can be difficult to get off once dry
If you find that plaster has hardened on your trowel, clean it off before you continue plastering as it can make ridges in the ceiling
Add the water to the bucket first and then the plaster rather than the plaster first, as it can clump together and leave powder at the bottom
When you’ve mixed the plaster, a good way to test if it’s the right consistency is by standing a stick in it to see if it stays upright
You should aim to plaster in a cool room, so make sure that the central heating is off and the room is not being heated
Choose a smaller plastering trowel rather than a big one, as it’s easier to control but covers less area
We recommend working as fast as possible on the ceiling when plastering, without rushing it (so don’t stop for a cuppa halfway through!)
If you know you’re going to need a second bucket of plaster mixing up, get the water ready in advance so you aren’t wasting any time
Don’t worry about your first coat being perfect, as you can always resolve issues in smoothness when you apply a second coating
Pay special attention to the edges and corners of the room, as if they’re not right it will be obvious when light shines on it

Now that you’re armed with years worth of knowledge from expert plasterers, you should feel confident tackling any ceiling plastering project.

If you're still feeling unsure, it's best to hire a plasterer instead.

You can learn about what you'll need to pay with our guide on how much plasterers charge.

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