How to Paint a Ceiling Like a Pro

Painting a ceiling is a daunting task. It can be difficult to know exactly where to start or what to do to ensure a successful job. In this article, we will discuss the steps to take when painting a ceiling, from common mistakes to make sure to avoid to the supplies and preparation needed for the job. With a bit of patience and the right supplies, anyone can paint a ceiling like a pro.

Common Mistakes

Painting a ceiling can be tricky, and there are some common mistakes people tend to make. Here are five of the most common mistakes to avoid:

1. Leaving the ceiling for last. Most people think it is easier to start with the walls first, but it’s not. It will be much more diffciult for you to paint along the edges of a ceiling as you may accidentally paint over the walls.
2. Painting the center part of the ceiling first. It may seem like time is going by faster when painting the larger portion of the ceiling first,  but you can miss spots by doing it this way. Doing the perimeter helps you to make sure you get all of the edges and hard to reach places that you wouldn’t be able to reach with a roller.
3. Painting a dirty ceiling. A dirty ceiling means all the dust can be seen underneath the new paint when you are close enough. Cleaning the ceiling will help you get a smooth paint job when done.
4. Leaving the floor uncovered and furniture. People don’t usually think of covering things before painting. The last thing you want is to have splatters of paint on your floors or your furniture.
5. Using too little paint. It’s true that you don’t want to have too much paint on your roller, but having little paint on the roller or brush will leave spots and streaks on the ceiling. Nothing is worse than fixing something that was not done correctly the first time.

Supplies

Before you begin painting, you will need to make sure you have the right supplies on hand. Here is a list of supplies you will need:

• Painters tape – Cover the perimeter of the light fixtures. Also, to apply between wall and ceiling to create a straight line.
• Screwdriver – Take the ceiling fan blades off and loosen cover plate.
• Vacuum – Remove dust and spider webs from ceiling.
• Tarps/plastic – Cover floor and furniture so you don’t get paint on either.
• Brush – Used to paint the perimeter of the ceiling making it easier to paint the center after.
• Cloth – Damp your roller to start painting.
• Roller – Used to paint the whole ceiling after perimeter has been created with a brush.
• Roller tray – Roll out your roller until its completely covers and paint evenly distributed.
• Roller Extension Poll – Makes it easier for you to reach the ceiling without having to use a latter.

Paint Prep’

Ready with your supplies? Great! Now we can prep to paint the ceiling.

1. Start by moving the furniture out of the room. If you have furniture pieces that you are unable to move go ahead and grab a tarp or plastic to cover them up. If you got a ceiling fan, start by taking the fan blades off, then loosen the cover plate and slide it down. Now grab a piece of plastic and your painters tape and cover your fan.
2. Grab your vacuum and vacuum out your ceiling of any dust and spider webs.
3. After vacuuming, apply painters tape on the perimeter between the wall and ceiling, directly to the wall.
4. When your done with that cover the floor with tarps or plastic.

Time to Paint

Now that you are ready to paint, here are some tips to help you get the job done right:

1. Open your paint and pour a small amount in your roller tray.
2. Grab your paint brush dip it three fourths in and tap it to get excess paint off.
3. Begin by making smooth strokes on the perimeter of the ceiling. Make sure its 3-4 inches thick from the wall. This will make it easier when you use your roller. You want your perimeter entirely covered without any spots left or uneven so that go back and redo any spots.
4. Damp your cloth so you can damp your roller with it to keep it moist.
5. Now grab your roller tray and apply a bit more paint in it. Roll a small part of your roller into the paint thats on the roller tray and start to roll your roller out until its cover with paint all around.
6. Pick a side to start painting your ceiling in one direction going to the other side of the room. Try to work as quickly as possible.
7. After the first coat, let it dry and if you need a second coat apply it perpendicular to the first coat.
8. Remove all the painters tape from the perimeter, ceiling fan, and light fixtures.

Painting a ceiling can be a daunting task, but with the right supplies and preparation, anyone can do it. Make sure to avoid the common mistakes listed above, and take the time to properly prepare the space for painting. With a bit of patience and practice, you can create a beautiful, even coat of paint on your ceiling that will last for years to come.