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How to Paint a Ceiling

In painting a ceiling, there are several options. The ceiling can be painted the same color as the walls, or it can be painted white or a very pale light color. A third option is to paint it any color different from the walls, although the first two options are the most popular. Painting the walls the same color saves having to choose a separate paint for the ceiling, and also makes it unnecessary to mask the walls when the ceiling is being painted and vice versa. If the walls are also to be painted, paint the ceiling first so that any paint that gets on the walls can be cleaned off or covered when the walls are painted.

Ceiling Paint

The second option is to paint the ceiling with a white paint, or an off-white color. If the ceiling is already white, ceiling paints are available that change color as the paint dries. The paint goes on a different color such as violet, so you can see where you painted when painting over an already white ceiling, and 15 to 20 minutes later, the violet changes to white. Ceiling paint is usually a flat non-reflective rather than a glossier finish, so that any irregularities in the ceiling surface are less visible. Ceiling paint has a consistency that minimizes splattering, which is important when painting a surface that is overhead. The primer, if one is used, and the paint should be a latex or water-based, stain-killing paint. In a 5-gallon bucket, pour and combine all of the cans of paint to be used for the ceiling so that the color is uniform.

Textured Ceilings

If the ceiling is smooth and flat, such as a drywall ceiling, it can be painted with a smooth or short nap paint roller. Most probably, the ceiling has a popcorn texture. To paint over the rough texture, a paint roller with a longer, thicker nap is needed. It may be a better idea to have a professional painter spray paint the ceiling to cover the textured ceiling optimally. If using a brush and a roller to paint the walls anyway, try to go over each area of the ceiling only once with the paint roller and make sure the paint coverage is good the first time.

Remove Ceiling Fixtures

Remove any ceiling light fixtures, ceiling fans, and anything else fixed to the ceiling before painting and save with the screws in a safe place. Mask whatever cannot be removed with painter's tape. Mask at least the upper twelve inches of the walls at the ceiling line with brown kraft paper secured by quick release painter's tape. Priming may be necessary so that the paint itself will adhere well to the surface. The primer should be a latex stain-killing primer.

Cutting In

A stepladder should be placed in a corner of the room. Some of the paint should be poured into a small container, such as an old coffee can, so that it can easily be brought up the ladder. Dip the brush one inch into the paint, and tap the excess off the brush against the lip of the can. Paint a 3-inch stripe from the corner down along the edge of the ceiling along the ceiling line to the closest other corner of the ceiling, moving the ladder over as needed. Continue cutting in the paint until the entire perimeter of the ceiling is painted. Then get down from the ladder and get ready to use the paint roller.

Roller Paint the Ceiling

Screw the paint roller onto the pole extender and attach a splatter guard to the roller. Pour paint into the roller tray. Roll the roller in the paint until it holds enough to apply, but not so much that it drips off the roller. Roll the excess off on the shallow part of the tray if necessary. Starting in one corner of the ceiling, paint the ceiling in 3-foot squares in adjacent rows until the ceiling is done. The primer should be the first coat, and a good ceiling paint should be the second coat. With a good ceiling paint, only one coat should cover the ceiling well.

In painting a ceiling, there are several options. The ceiling can be painted the same color as the walls, or it can be painted white or a very pale light color. A third  option is to paint it any color different from the walls, although the first two options are the most popular. Painting the walls the same color saves having to choose a separate paint for the ceiling, and also makes it unnecessary to mask the walls when the ceiling is being painted and vice versa. If the walls are also to be painted, paint the ceiling first so that any paint that gets on the walls can be cleaned off or covered when the walls are painted.