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Painting your ceiling can seem like a tough task. But following these expert ceiling painting tips and using Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint can help you get the job done right.
While classic white ceiling paint is a go-to for homeowners, why not consider a colour? A rich navy blue or deep black ceiling can blur the boundaries of a room, making it look endless yet intimate. Painting a ceiling with a lighter shade or a slight variation of your wall colour delivers depth and dimension, without breaking the unity of the existing colour scheme.
What’s the best way to paint a ceiling? Watch our how-to video for step-by-step guidance on how to paint a ceiling the right way and get amazing results you’ll love.
Always follow the manufacturer’s application steps for best results.
Before you begin painting your ceiling, you need to choose the right hue. Make sure you select a colour for your ceiling that works well with the rest of the room. While ceiling imperfections are common, you can easily achieve a virtually flawless finish—in any colour—with ultra-flat Waterborne Ceiling Paint. When choosing a paint colour for your ceiling, keep the space’s lighting in mind. The amount of natural light your room receives and the direction it faces will affect how a colour appears, especially in strong sunlight. Once you’ve decided on a colour, make sure you have the appropriate tools and paint products to complete your job.
To get started, you will need a 6.4 cm (2½-inch) angle sash brush; painter’s tape; a 23 cm (9-inch) roller, sleeve, and pan; an extension pole; a step ladder, and Waterborne Ceiling Paint. Please consult Waterborne Ceiling Paint’s Safety Data Sheet before using this product. Make sure your brush and roller sleeve are high quality and that your roller sleeve is the appropriate nap for your ceiling texture. Ask the experts at your locally owned Benjamin Moore store for help determining the best tools. When it comes to the best type of paint for ceilings, Benjamin Moore’s Waterborne Ceiling Paint is a “dead flat” paint that applies smoothly, hides most ceiling imperfections, and is specially formulated to minimize both lap marks and splatter.
White is a common ceiling choice, but you can paint your ceiling virtually any colour, as Benjamin Moore offers thousands of options and can also match any shade. Waterborne Ceiling Paint is an ultra flat finish that’s available in all 3,500+ Benjamin Moore colours. However, if you prefer a white ceiling, Insl-X® Colour-Changing Ceiling Paint is a great choice. This unique paint goes on as a light pink that helps you identify missed spots and then dries to a white finish with a flat sheen.
Insl-X Colour-Changing Ceiling Paint goes on pink and dries white, so you’ll never have to wonder if you missed a spot.
“What should I paint first: the ceiling or the walls?” This is a common question for those who will be painting a ceiling for the first time. The answer: Always paint the ceiling before the walls. Also, always cover everything below the ceiling with drop cloths, and try to empty the room completely to make the job easier. If possible, remove the overhead light fixtures. If you cannot remove the fixtures, use painter’s tape to protect them from spatter or use your brush to cut around them carefully.
When painting a ceiling, follow this order to avoid making mistakes. First, paint the edge of the ceiling where it meets the wall, cutting in like you would cut in a corner. If your project also includes painting the walls, start at the ceiling line, brush into the corner, and feather the paint 5 cm to 7 cm (2 to 3 inches) down the wall. If you won’t be painting the walls, protect them with painter’s tape or use the brush to cut in a nice straight line along the ceiling’s edge. Then switch from brush to roller to paint the rest of the ceiling. Starting at a corner of the ceiling, roll toward a window so you can see the light from the window reflecting off the wet paint. Then work your way across the room, rolling slowly whenever you’re near a wall to help avoid hitting it. Most ceilings do not require primer. However, if you need ceiling primer, apply it using the steps outlined above prior to applying paint.
Use these expert tips to improve your rolling technique when painting a ceiling:
Your ceiling is refreshed and ready to fit in with the rest of your home’s interior design. For more ceiling colour and design ideas, check out our Ceilings Ideas & Inspiration. Have More Questions? Visit your locally owned Benjamin Moore store or contact customer support.
A. When painting a ceiling, it is best to start by painting the edge where it meets the wall. Cut in the ceiling like you would cut in a corner. If you will be painting the walls too, start at the ceiling line, brush into the corner, and feather the paint 5 cm to 7 cm (2 to 3 inches) down onto the wall. If you won’t be painting the walls, protect them with painter’s tape or use the brush to cut in a nice straight line along the ceiling’s edge. Switch from brush to roller to paint the rest of the ceiling. Starting at a corner of the ceiling, roll toward a window so you can see the light from the window reflecting off the wet paint. Then work your way across the room, rolling slowly whenever you’re near a wall to help avoid hitting it.
A. After painting the edges of the ceiling with a brush, you can use a roller. When deciding which direction to paint a ceiling, start at a corner of the ceiling and roll toward a window so you can see the light from the window reflecting off the wet paint. Then work your way across the room, rolling slowly whenever you’re near a wall to help avoid hitting it.
A. Most previously painted, undamaged, and untainted ceilings and walls do not require priming, especially when using a high-quality interior paint. Some special instances, however, require a ceiling primer:
A. If you want to create a perfect line between your wall and ceiling, use painter’s tape to protect the wall or use the brush and a steady hand to cut in a nice straight line along the wall’s edge.
A. You can avoid leaving roller marks by employing a few simple techniques when painting your ceiling: Each time you load your roller, move to an unpainted area and work back into a painted area. Paint the entire ceiling in one session so the paint dries uniformly. Wait for the first coat to dry to determine if a second coat is needed. Check the label for dry times.
See our Ceilings Ideas & Inspiration page for creative ceiling ideas in a range of colours and rooms.
Explore how to get your next DIY project done–and done right.
An ultra flat finish designed to hide common ceiling imperfections for a look that is virtually flawless.