HOW TO PAINT CEILINGS
Are you DIY-ing your interior paint job? If so, make sure you know what to do when it comes to painting your ceiling. Avoid line marks and missed edges by following these steps to paint your ceiling.
How to Choose a Color for Your Ceiling
What feeling are you trying to bring out in your room? What is the size of your room? What architectural elements are you working with? These are the questions you need to ask yourself when choosing a paint color for your ceiling.
If you don't have a lot of natural light in the room, a white ceiling can brighten up the space. If your room has high ceilings and you want to make it feel cozier, paint the ceiling in a darker color. If the room is small and oppressive, you can minimize that feeling by creating very little contrast between your wall and ceiling.
Prep Work
Undoubtedly, you realize that painting your ceiling is going to be a messy endeavor. Minimize potential frustration by protecting the room. Remove furniture if you can, and if that isn't possible, thoroughly cover it. Cover your floor with drop cloths. And don't forget yourself! Wear clothing that you don't care about, and cover your head with a hat so you don't spend extra hours picking and washing paint out of your hair.
If you're only painting the ceiling, you'll also need to prepare by applying painter's tape to the wall where it meets the ceiling. Planning on painting the entire room? Start at the ceiling.
Before you can paint, you'll want to apply a coat of primer to block stains and make the paint work easier and quicker.
Paint a Cut-Line
Your roller won't be able to sufficiently reach all the way to the edges of your ceiling, so you'll need to cut in the edges with a paint brush. Work in sections, starting in a corner. Use a 2-inch trim brush and paint about 3 feet of the two walls. Avoid leaving lines by beginning to roll before the cut-line dries. You'll want to repeat this process in sections around the room.
How to Roll Paint on a Ceiling
If you have a smooth ceiling, use a low nap roller. If your ceiling is textured, use a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch nap. You'll also want to get an extension pole so you won't be stuck on a ladder.
Pour the paint into a roller tray, and roll the roller into it. Don't submerge the roller into the paint; in fact, you'll want to roll any excess paint off the roller in the shallow part of the tray before you put roller to ceiling. Look for an even coating of paint on the roller before you begin.
It's important to paint in small sections because you need to work with wet paint. You don't want the area where you're working to dry. 3 to 4 feet is sufficient.
Paint your section in straight overlapping rows, and go slow to avoid splatter. Keep moving around the ceiling in small sections until you're done.
Once the paint dries, examine how the ceiling looks. Did you miss some spots? Does it need a second coat? If so, repeat the process. If not, you're done! Move the furniture back into the room, and enjoy your hard work.
Want to leave it to the professionals? LISTOL PAINTING. INC. can beautify your home (and tackle those tricky ceilings) with professional painting techniques and high-quality paint that leave a lasting impression for years to come. Give us a call at (928)899-6252 or contact us online at listolpainting.com for a free estimate.
