Painting Ceilings

Ok, lets get one thing straight - I absolutely hate painting ceilings. I detest it and I think it's probably the worst part of renovating... big call I know, but don't underestimate the internal turmoil it causes me.

It's not being bent backwards like a banana for hours at a time, or the fact that I end up covered in speckled-white spots, it's those little lines that the end of the roller causes. That, and trying to get an even cover.

Anyone have any pointers, except for passing a wad of cash over to some other poor fella to suffer??

Arghhh, ok back to it.

 

Sorry to rub salt into the wound, but painting ceilings is probably my fav thing about renovating. It makes my neck feel good after slouching over a computer for many hours a day, or leaning forward over a steering wheel if in the car.

I use a thick one coat Dulux Ceiling White with a pink tint that drys white. On wet or humid days it works great. On dry, hot days it fades from pink to white too quickly to see where you've been.

And before you ask, no I'm not interested in painting your ceilings.

 

I found using good quality painting tools and paint make the world of difference. I started off using the cheap stuff as more of a disposable item but major PITA. Invested in decent quality brushes, rollers, poles etc and made the job heaps easier and end result looked heaps better too.

Just make sure you have the right size nap on the roller sleeve for the type of paint you are using. As far as even coverage goes I just make sure I have a system and stick to it. Ie from wall to first set of downlights and work from left to right, then from first downlights to second downlights and left to right again etc etc I don't overload the roller with paint and I don't press too hard either.

 

Cross rolling is the key to a good ceiling finish. One coat working length ways and next coat width ways. Smaller rooms that arent drying too fast you can cross roll on each coat.

 

[QUOTE="
And before you ask, no I'm not interested in painting your ceilings. [/QUOTE]

Bugger, I was getting excited there for a minute!

 

Thanks for the advice. Kinnon Bell I've always used cheaper stuff, too. But because this is our PPOR I went to a paint shop (as opposed to Bunnings,) got some advice and hopefully some good quality stuff. I think I'm prone to doing too long a section at a time, rather than smaller areas.

Thanks DaveM, I'll try it.

 

Don't use high gloss.
However you prefer painting, cross ways, sideways, long short - do long rolls in one direction at the end. Don't push too hard or you might get those marks at the edge of the roller.

 

I find putting more pressure on the leading side of the roller helps. So if your painting left to right put more pressure on right side of roller. This way the trailing edge (left) fans out those lines your seeing. Not heaps just slightly twist to one side

 

I find after put roll the roller in the paint tray i do a extra layoff roll in the tray just on the edges of the roller, that stops the thickened lines on the edge.
I also do the cross roll when painting and as i got better and faster i can layoff any lines on the ceiling with a final light roll.

 

Use good quality rollers and paint. Prep is key too.

 

The trend in retail is to remove the ceiling all together and paint everything black with a spraygun.

 

Thanks guys.

 

What are the effects of painting in cold weather. Obviously the paint takes longer to dry, but does that cause lasting issues? My beloved ceiling was painted in cold weather yesterday morning and now that it's finally dried it looks really patchy, as if there's not enough paint on the roller. Could that look be due to the cold, or do I just really suck at this?

Did I mention that I hate painting ceilings??

 

Might not be enough paint on the roller, and maybe the old paint had filled and it's more obvious.or is it new gyprock?
Have another go or 2! Is it fun yet?

 

Looks like there's not enough paint on the roller but I thought at the time it was an even spread, and that the cold might have had something to do with it.
Living the dream.

 

i love painting..... When someone else is doing it!

 

we used a contemporary matt finish on our wall aint, and then continued the colour to the ceiling.

a seamless finish is easier and makes the house look bigger.

that said, our colour was Flokati 1/4 - which is a like a grey/white.

 

Seriously Alan you need your head read Neck cramp, paint everywhere, seriously sore arms... nothing to love about ceiling painting! I can now pay tradies to do this for me but back in the day when I couldn't, I must admit I found wearing a shower cap and googles honestly highly useful!

 

What an attractive sight Jacque.

A roller and extension handle goes a long way to avoiding all of the issues or a spray gun and masking.