How to Paint a Textured Ceiling

If you've got a textured ceiling that's starting to show its age, the easiest way to make it look new again is to paint right over the existing texture.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brushes
• Paint Roller Pans
• Paints
• Plastic Sheeting
• Rollers
• Staplers
• Paint Sprayers
• Rollers

Prepare for Painting

1. Pick a color for the ceiling. Feel free to pick something other than white if it suits your taste.

2. Measure the area of the ceiling and buy paint from a paint store, home improvement center, lumberyard or hardware store. (See Tips.)

3. Pick up masking tape, plastic sheeting, and paint rollers or a paint sprayer while you're at the store.

4. Remove as much furniture as possible from the room you're working in.

5. Cover all floors and any objects left in the room completely with plastic sheeting.

6. Cover the upper 3 feet of the walls with plastic sheeting. (Tape or staple it in place - this is a lot easier with a second set of hands.)

7. Vacuum as much dust and cobwebs as possible from the ceiling. Avoid dragging the vacuum attachment directly over the texture.

Paint the Ceiling

8. Decide if you're going to use a roller or a spray machine. The roller method is tidier, so you won't need plastic sheeting on the walls, but it's also more strenuous, and it's more difficult to achieve full coverage. Using a machine is faster and provides better coverage, but it's messy and requires a little practice.

9. Cut in (edge with a brush) around the circumference of the ceiling if you plan to use a roller. You can cut in the edges with a bristle brush or a disposable foam-rubber brush.

10. Roll paint into the field of the ceiling with a long-nap roller. Apply one or two coats of paint.

11. Cover yourself well and use a mask if you're going to use a spray machine. Use even strokes and maintain an even distance from the surface as you paint. A couple of light passes with the sprayer is better than a single pass that is too heavy. (See "How to Use a Paint Spray Machine.")

Tips & Warnings

• Paint sprayers usually have enough hose to allow you to leave the machine in another room, making cleanup much easier.
• Wear goggles and a mask to protect your eyes and lungs. Hair covering is a good idea as well.

on 11/22/2005 If you care about a quality, even finish - skip the rollers and go straight to the tool rental department and get a sprayer. You'll end up there anyways. The time and effort saved is well worth the small expense. Ensure you've been shown proper use including the proper pressure to use for the paint you've chosen.

on 11/22/2005 Stippled ceilings come crashing down when using rollers. Buy yourself a garden sprayer, mix paint 50/50 with water and have at it. It takes more time, but doesn't cause the ceiling to crumble!

on 11/22/2005 Mask and spray!! It's the only way!! If you can't spray, hire someone who can. Trust me!

on 4/16/2007 Never use water-based latex paint on ceiling stipple! The water causes the stipple to become soft and is easily removed when rolling. Also you can get a sponge "cut" roller that is specifically designed for ceiling stipple.

on 11/22/2005 DO NOT run your roller quickly back and forth. This will result in losing much textured material. Slow, long, deliberate strokes are best. The wet paint will soften the texture, so minimal working after application of paint is best. Let it dry first.