People are often so involved with painting walls and decorating their homes in different ways that they end up forgetting about the ceiling. The ceilings have a great importance on the effect of the surrounding environment as well as on the brightness of the house itself. Just as the walls 'wear' colors and decorations, so do the ceilings give character to the apartment. A ceiling is more difficult to paint than a wall, but with a little attention and a neat touch, the project will be completed to perfection.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part 1: Knowing When You Need a Professional
Step 1. If you have shaded walls, consider calling a professional for a better result
An acoustically insulated ceiling, also known as popcorn, or a false ceiling works best when spray painted. For this reason, the ideal is to hire those who do this job.
Step 2. If you have a drywall that needs some repair, it's best to call a wall expert before painting
Ask him to make you a cladding that levels the ceiling; applying it before repainting the entire ceiling will make it brighter.
Method 2 of 3: Part 2: Prepare the Ceiling
Step 1. Gather everything you will need
For ceilings especially use a thick wool roller with a telescopic tube instead of a brush. The rollers ensure a homogeneous layer of color without overlapping or bubbles. You will also need:
- A ladder
- A dye tray and a grid
- A wall brush
- A putty knife to close any holes
- Silicone and gun for any cracks in the corners
Step 2. Choose the color
Most of the ceilings are painted white because it is a color that reflects light, making the room seem larger. However, you could also consider colors that you like, specifically which would match your walls?
- Standard white could play against you if you have walls of a certain color, creating a strong discrepancy. If you feel that milky white is too contrasting, consider its warmer shades or those of 'eggshell' beige.
- The matte tint is best for ceilings because it absorbs viscosity. It will help hide the imperfections in the ceiling.
Step 3. Move the furniture and prepare the room
Try to move everything you can. If it's not possible because you live in an apartment or have bulky furniture, cover everything with plastic sheeting to protect against splashes.
Never use plastic on the ground or it will agglomerate, forming folds and will hardly fulfill its function. Instead, roll out a nice thick sheet. Also remember to carefully protect the windows, the sill and any wooden parts
Step 4. Use painter's tape to protect the areas around any risers and the junction between the wall and the ceiling
However, if you also paint the walls after the ceiling, this operation will not be necessary even if it can help improve the yield.
Step 5. Prime the walls and ceiling
This way, you only need to apply one coat of dye. The primer will also absorb the dye like a sponge absorbs water.
For best results, use a drop-blocking primer. Run a hand over the walls so drops, smoke, water and other stains will avoid surfacing on the surface
Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Paint
Step 1. If necessary, first pass an angled brush along the edge and into the corners
If you haven't covered the wall-to-ceiling junction with tape, you will need to paint this part separately. Once you have made the corners, work towards the center of the ceiling.
Step 2. While the dye is still wet, pass the color with the roller
This way there will be no dividing line between where you gave with the brush and where with the roller. Dip the roller into the tray and place it on the grate to drain the excess dye.
- Make zigzag lines, covering the ceiling. As you perform these movements, create "W" or "V" without ever detaching the roller from the ceiling.
- Never put too much pressure on the roller, it could lead to irregular color halos.
Step 3. Paint the entire ceiling in sections, always repeating the zigzag motions
Once you have finished a section, make it uniform with the previous one. Don't worry if it's not perfect yet - it will soon be.
Step 4. Now cover the zigzags with straight line movements
In this way the appearance will become homogeneous. If you've primed it, you won't need a second coat.
Step 5. Treat a vaulted ceiling like a wall
Contrary to the flat one, the vaults can be painted like the walls. Start from a corner and work towards the wall with long strokes, overlapping them consecutively. Be quick and decisive with every stroke.
