Painting a Ceiling? You Need These Tips!

When tackling interior painting projects, it can help to think of the ceiling as the fifth wall. A fresh coat of white – or even a favorite color – can do wonders for a room. Depending on what hue you choose the ceiling can make a space feel cozier or grand and expansive. A colored or patterned ceiling can add visual interest. And a newly painted ceiling just looks fresher because after ten years or so, ceiling paint gets just as faded and stained as wall paint.

If you’re thinking about painting a ceiling yourself, know that it’s a doable project. You’ll get great results if you use the tips we’ve outlined below.

• Neatness counts, but this isn’t the time to see how neat you can be. Prep the room by covering all furniture and the floor with canvas or plastic tarp. If you don’t want to have to work around furniture, take the time to remove it from the space you’ll be painting. The hour you spend schlepping furniture may mean you can finish your painting project more quickly since you’re not trying to contort yourself around tables and armchairs.
• Have your materials ready. Lay out everything you need. While good ventilation is a must and probably means leaving the door open, treat your project like a lock-in. Make sure you have your tools at hand so you don’t actually have to leave the room until it’s break time.
• Make it a point to protect yourself from paint. While paint in your hair won’t be the end of the world, a simple ball cap will keep you from having to do heavy duty shampooing later. And goggles are a good idea because paint in your eyes – a very real possibility when you’re painting a ceiling – can be harmful.
• Cut in first. After taping off the wall, work around the perimeter of the room, painting the first four inches of ceiling using a paint brush. Feather the edges of your line so you don’t end up with a noticeable edge between where you used the brush and where you’ll use a roller.
• Once you’ve finished cutting in, you’re ready to roll. Use a fresh, brand-name roller with a 1/2″ nap every time. It’s slightly more expensive but worth it. Start rolling in one corner and then move the roller in random directions to avoid visible lines. Try also to avoid rolling over sections that have started to dry because the drying paint will be sticky and stick back to the roller.
• To get a professional looking finish, apply at least two coats. The caveat is that you need to wait until the first coat is completely dry before starting the next coat to get smooth, even coverage.
• Finally, consider hiring a Massachusetts interior painting professional. Painting a ceiling can be much more disruptive than painting interior walls because of the potential for mess. You may also need more specialized equipment just to reach the ceiling. If you’re excited to paint then give it a go. But if the whole thing sounds like a hassle, paying a pro can take a lot of stress off your shoulders.

Happy painting!

Every Massachusetts exterior painting and interior painting project is different, and unlike other MA interior painting companies, we will always treat your house, building, or surface as one-of-a-kind. Need help choosing paint colors? We can do that with an expert eye. Call us for a free estimate at 978-546-6843.

Categorised in: Hiring a contractor, Interior painting, Jerry Enos, Painting Challenges