How to Paint Ceilings

19 Nov How to Paint Ceilings

Painting your ceiling can be tricky. It comes with the same challenges of painting walls, plus you’ll need equipment and paint designed for painting above your head. Many ceilings also have textures that require special techniques. Contacting a professional is highly recommended for a ceiling painting project. Even so, here are the best pieces of advice for DIY homeowners who want to paint their ceilings.

Top Three Ceiling Painting Tips

When you look at your ceiling and imagine painting it a different color, you might realize how complicated the project can be. From the equipment you’ll need to information about how to paint ceiling edges, we have all the answers to your questions. Here are three tips to make painting your ceiling as seamless as possible.

1. Prepare the Room and Walls

Before you begin, protect anything in the room you don’t intend to paint. Temporarily moving ceiling fixtures keeps them safe and lets you coat your entire ceiling. Remove furniture and other objects from the room and lay drop cloths over your floor. We recommend overlapping them and taping the cloths to baseboards for maximum coverage. You can also use drop cloths to protect doors, windows and trim.

Prepare the walls by using painter’s tape to cover the top of each wall and any crown molding. Your painter’s tape should be at least two inches wide.

2. Sand Your Ceiling and Use a Primer

Ceilings are prone to the same imperfections, bumps and stains as your walls. To reduce their appearance and help the paint stick, take the time to sand and prime your ceiling. Clean the surface, then use a sanding pole and 100-grit sandpaper to even it out. Spackle or caulk any cracks or holes and sand once dry for a seamless finish. Once your ceiling is even, use a wet sponge to collect any dust, which prevents your paint from getting a firm hold.

Next, apply a coat of latex paint primer. This step is key because primer covers discoloration and staining better than paint.  Note that you’ll need a special cleaner to remove the primer from your brush when you finish. We recommend denatured alcohol or ammonia.

3. Paint in Sections

After your primer dries, use a paintbrush to fill in corners and edges. Do this in small sections and use your roller to paint that area while the edges are still wet to avoid lines. Your sections should be between three and five square feet. Feather each section so it blends into the next without creating defined shapes. Let this coat dry and apply a second coat as needed. You can remove the painter’s tape once the ceiling feels dry.

Ceiling Painting Services in the Kansas City Metro Area

From choosing the right paint to dealing with drips and splatters, painting your own ceiling is challenging. When you paint a textured ceiling, the project becomes even more complicated. If you want to hire a professional, the experienced painters at Neighborhood Painting are here to help. We offer estimates for projects like ceiling painting and popcorn texture removal. For more information about our interior painting services, call 913-709-6151 or contact us online today.