cracks in ceilings

[GlynWilliams]

My bathroom ceiling has four cracks emanating from the light rose. I have deepened the cracks and been told to fill them with builders\\\' flexible caulk. Whilst clearing the cracks I have removed some of the paint on the ceiling so that bare plaster is exposed alongside the cracks and the present emulsion is no longer a smooth surface; some of the ceiling is painted and some is bare plaster. What is the best way to ensure that I end up with a smooth ceiling? Do I paint the bare surface more than I will paint the rest of the ceiling?
Thanks for any advice. I read on your site that you recommend the use of filler. Won't this "crack up" again? Hence being told to use flexible caulk.

 

[Zampa]

Depends on the nature of the cracks really..caulk is ok but it does tend to shrink....so you'l have to do a few appications...

The thing you have to be careful of is 'scars' forming on the ceiling because of the filler......if the ceiling was painted with a rooler before then touch up any filler using a radiator roller, this should help get the 'texture' back...