Make It Easier to Paint a Ceiling
Painting a ceiling has to be one of the hardest painting jobs to tackle but if done right it doesn't need to be hard work.
01/11/2021
When anyone thinks of painting a ceiling, the first thought that comes to mind is an aching body. Your arms and shoulder ache, your neck hurts and you are covered from head to toe in paint spatter. Most definitely not something to look forward to and is the main reason why many hate painting a ceiling. But painting a ceiling doesn't have to be a difficult task if you do it right and we have a few practical tips to make painting a ceiling easier.
1. Dressed for success
Painting a ceiling doesn't require that you dress for a day out but more put on something comfortable and casual that you don't mind getting covered in paint spatter. A headscarf or cap should be worn to protect your hair from paint drops and safety glasses are optional but will reduce the risk of getting paint in your eyes.
2. Use a stepladder
I have seen instances where people stand on a dining table or chair to reach a ceiling but ultimately there is nothing better than using a stepladder. Making do with something else to stand on is not conducive to a successful painting project and could end up in disaster more than anything else. If you don't own a stepladder, consider investing in one, ask a neighbour if they have one or hire one for the day.
A stepladder is easy to move around as you paint areas of the ceiling, and you can adjust your height to paint a low or high ceiling. You are also going to need proper support when you need to 'cut-in' around the edges between the wall and ceiling, so you might as well be comfortable while you do it.
GOOD TO KNOW: If you need to paint the ceiling in a double volume room, you might want to consider hiring a scaffolding platform for the job.
3. Have the right tools
As with any job you do in and around the home, having the right tools makes all the difference. You wouldn't want to assemble furniture using only a screwdriver instead of a drill driver, so why waste your time and effort not using the right painting tools.
- Paint Roller
Using the proper paint roller for the type of ceiling is important and the difference between a job finished quickly or one that requires more coats of paint. For a smooth ceiling use a short pile roller and for a textured or popcorn ceiling using a paint roller with a longer pile. This applies to painting walls as well.
- Paintbrushes
As with the paint roller, using a quality paintbrush is essential. There can be nothing worse than sitting at the top of a ladder having to pick bristles or hairs out of the paint you just applied. Buy quality and make the job easier. You will only need one paintbrush when painting a ceiling and that is one that has angled bristles to do what is called 'cutting in' around the edge of the ceiling. This means that you use a paintbrush rather than a paint roller to do the outside edge of the ceiling.
- Paint Tray or Paint Bucket
Rather than use a regular paint tray, invest in one that can be hung or fitted onto your ladder. That way, you won't have to go up and down the ladder to reload the paint roller with paint. Alternatively, buy an extension pole for your paint roller so that you can easily dip it into the paint tray while on the ladder.
Eliminate the need to go up and down the stepladder to reload your paint roller by using a paint bucket that you will find at your nearest Builders store.
4. Prevent Paint Spatters and Spills
I used to be one of those decorators that believed I could never make a mess when painting. It was after spending too much time cleaning up paint spatters everywhere that I finally realised that getting everything sorted before you start makes clean up easy and prevents paint spatter and spills from damaging fittings and fixtures.
Using a drop cloth is far more effective at containing paint spatter than anything else and protects fitted furniture and floors. I prefer to use a canvas drop cloth that Builders sells since a plastic one easily transfers paint spatter to your shoes and you end up leaving paint footprints everywhere, or worse, the paint runs off the plastic drop cloth, defeating the whole purpose of using a drop cloth in the first place.
Recycle a plastic bottle or container to make a spatter guard / shield for a paintbrush or paint roller.
