How To Successfully Paint A Ceiling

It can seem a little overwhelming when you decide to paint your ceiling; especially if you want it to look like a professional did the job. But, armed with the correct tools, and a little knowledge, it is possible to paint the ceiling professionally yourself. This article looks at the proper equipment needed for the painting, and how to prepare and do the painting, as well as offering some tips and advice for a professional looking finish.

Preparation

When buying a paint roller, ensure that you get one with an extendable handle. It is easier, less tiring, and less dangerous than painting from a ladder.  If your ceiling is textured, get a roller with a thick nap. This will properly cover the bumps and irregularities. For smooth drywall ceilings, you can buy an extendable roller with a shorter nap. Remember, pick up some painter's tape from the supplier at the same time; this easy to pull off tape will protect the area where the ceiling meets the wall. You should also buy a good quality primer to apply to the ceiling before painting it. Before starting to paint, remove as much furniture from the room as you can; any furniture left in the room should be moved into the center of the room and covered with a reusable canvas cloth.

Tape The Room

Once the furniture is covered, go around the section where the ceiling meets with the wall, and apply the painter's tape. When you pull this tape off after the job is done, you will get a clear and crisp connection from the ceiling to the wall.

Prime

Prime the ceiling with the primer; the best primers also contain a stain blocker. The primer ensures that one coat of paint will usually be enough.

Cut In Lines

Start with the corner areas first. Using a normal hand-held paint brush, begin around two inches from where the ceiling meets the wall, and paint cut in lines. Work in toward the point where the ceiling meets the wall. You will need a step ladder for this part of the job. Making the cut in lines means that you don't need to paint with the roller too close to the edges of the ceiling.

Ceiling

Before the cut in lines have dried, begin to paint the ceiling with the extendable roller. Painting the main part of the ceiling while the cut in lines are still wet avoids visible lines forming. Dip the roller into the paint tray, and remove excess paint by rolling the roller in the shallow part of the tray. Apply to the ceiling in a zig zag fashion, then go over the zig zags using straight lines; this will even out the paint for a nice finish. Continue to paint the whole ceiling in this manner.

Remove The Tape

Remember to pull off the painter's tape before the paint has dried. The tape should come off in one large strip, and is designed to be pulled away from the ceiling/wall area with ease.

Once the paint has dried, and if needed, you can apply a second coat by repeating the process. Contact a professional painter, like those at Paint Professionals, for additional advice or help getting the job done.