How To Paint Ceilings

2 Types of Ceilings To Paint:

1.) Washable (Kitchens, Full Baths, Hallways)

Kitchen and bathroom ceilings should be painted using a gloss sheen level for wash ability. Satin is the best sheen level for today's homes. The exceptions are newer homes that the ceiling continues throughout the house. These are usually a flat white. The other exception would be half-baths. Since there is no shower the ceiling is usually a flat or no sheen level.

In a bathroom or kitchen, before painting the ceiling it is best to wash the ceiling first to remove cooking grease or food spots. For the bathroom it would be to remove steam or water spots, hair, etc.

Here are 8 steps for how to paint kitchen and bath ceilings (gloss ceilings):

1. Remove smaller furniture from room. Move larger furniture to center of room, cover with painters plastic.

2. Put drops or plastic on floor.

3. Use a pole sander to clean away cobwebs and imperfections before painting ceiling.

4. Cut in the perimeter of the ceiling with a brush.

5. Always use a quality roller cover that is shed-resistant.

6. Take your time and roll out ceiling in small squares moving from left to right or vise-versa.

7. Let dry for 3 hours and re-coat for a good, solid, even finish.

8. Since many bathrooms, kitchens and even hallways may be a glossy surface, it is best to prime them first using a latex primer that "holds gloss". This way your finish coat of paint will "grab" to the surface good in case the old painted surface was alkyd or oil base. You may tint the primer to the finish coat if using a different color than white.

2.) Non-Washable (Living Room, Dinning Room, Bedrooms, Hallway)

These ceilings are best painted using 2 coats of a flat white, off-white or a color that is a couple of shades lighter than the walls.

Here are 7 steps for how to paint flat ceilings:

1. Remove smaller furniture from room. Move larger furniture to center of room, cover with painters plastic.

2. Put drops down or plastic on floor.

3. Use a pole sander to clean away cobwebs and knock down imperfections before painting ceiling.

4. Cut in the perimeter or edges of the ceiling with a brush.

5. Always use a quality roller cover that is shed-resistant.

6. Take your time and roll out ceiling in small squares moving from left to right or vise-versa.

7. Let dry for 2-3 hours and re-coat for a good, solid, even finish.

How To Paint Ceilings