If you have a fairly large hole in the ceiling—the type that might be left behind when moving a ceiling fixture—you’ll need to give it some backing before filling the hole with patching material. Here’s how to do this:
1) Cut a piece of pegboard (hardboard with holes in it) sized to overlap but slip through the hole.
2) Loop a 6-inch-long piece of stiff wire through two of the holes in the pegboard. Twist the ends to form a complete loop.
3) Coat the pegboard with drywall compound, using a putty knife.
4) Slip the coated pegboard piece into the hole, coated side facing down.
5) Pull down on the wire loop, insert a pencil, and twist the pencil to pull the pegboard snugly down against the backside of the ceiling.
6) Let the compound dry, remove the pencil, and snip off the wires flush with the ceiling.
7) Fill the hole with two coats of drywall compound, and allow it to dry before applying the second.
8) Let the second coat dry, and then apply a third, flush with the ceiling. Let that dry for 24 hours.
9) Lightly sand the patch with fine sandpaper to “feather” (blend) it with the surface. Paint the patch to match the ceiling.
