Painting - Painting Recessed Lighting Hole Patches

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yelad
06-15-05, 06:17 PM
We are remodeling our kitchen and have replaced the ceiling and put in new recessed lighting. The contractor who did the drywall ceilings made the holes for the recessed lights too big, and some of them are not completely covered by the trim.

Unfortunately our painter had already painted the ceiling when we realized this. He has attempted to fill in the holes with compound, and repainted them, but the seams are easily visible. The ceiling is white.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what we could do to improve their appearance? Would tape or mesh help? Our painter is willing to try again.

Thank you!

marksr
06-15-05, 06:33 PM
The contractor who cut the holes should come back and fix them. An experienced drywall finisher should have no problem fixing them. The holes if of any size should be taped. 2 or 3 coats of mud over the tape should make the repairs disappear.
prowallguy
06-15-05, 09:51 PM
I agree. Make the guy who screwed up fix it, or get larger trim rings for the lights. :thinker:

BobF
06-16-05, 06:19 PM
What they said!!

I did the same thing when I finished my basement years ago. I taped and mudded and you can't tell they were ever too big.
yelad
06-16-05, 10:07 PM
Thanks all! I'll ask the painter to use tape and try again. With this remodel I've learned to take the path of least resistance with my contractors. The drywall guy has been paid and is long gone - it'll be hard to get him to come back...
sandbagger
06-17-05, 12:15 AM
the trick is to feather the compound away from the hole 3-4 inches at least. using mesh helps hold the mud in place in the hole. it will take at least a couple of coats depending on how good you get. run your hand across the area or shine a light sideways and you'll find the seam if it's visible. If you are painting the ceiling smooth as it sounds like, you must get the patch blended perfectly or it will show. make sure compound dries between coats, and if you put it on too thick it will crack. you can speed things up considerably by using the "setting" type compounds - just don't mix more than you can use at one time, but you should easily do 3 coats in a day; paint the next. :))

-art-