Painting a Ceiling

Inspect the ceiling for any small holes or cracks. Use spackle, or a small container of joint compound, and a putty knife to fill in any holes or cracks.

Cutting the Ceiling

To begin painting the ceiling start by cutting around the perimeter of it. Cutting involves the use of a small 2-inch wide paint brush and painting around the perimeter of the ceiling.

Also, if there are any light fixtures or electrical boxes, you will need to cut around them as well.

When cutting a ceiling it is best to start in a corner and work your way around the room. I find, as a right-hander, working from left to right works best. Usually it works best to carry a small container of paint with you during this process, rather than keep reaching for a paint tray.

To cut, simply apply paint on the paint brush, and holding the brush at approximately a 45 degree angle, apply it to the ceiling edge. As you apply the paint work the brush back and forth spreading it out and towards the ceiling and wall seam. When complete, you should have approximately a 2-inch band around the perimeter of the ceiling. To cut around lights or light fixtures you may want to separate the light fixture from the electrical box. If you do, be sure to turn off power first. After the first coat has dried, repeat with a second coat.

Rolling the Ceiling

After the second coat of cutting has dried you are now ready to roll the ceiling. Here you will use a 9-inch roller to spread the paint over the entire ceiling area.

To begin with, pour some paint into the roller tray, approximately ½ inch deep.

Next, dip the paint roller into the deep end of the paint tray. Once paint is on the roller, roll it back up the paint tray into the shallower end and squeeze out some of the paint. Again, beginning in a corner of the ceiling roll the paint onto the ceiling in long even strokes, slowly moving from left to right or visa-versa. The strokes should be 3-4 feet in length. Make sure you thoroughly coat the area before moving on. Repeat this process until you have completed painting the entire ceiling. Once the first coat has dried, apply a second coat.

After the second coat has dried, reconnect any light fixtures, pick up the drop clothes, put the furniture back in place, re-install the curtains and wall hangings and you are done.