How to Paint a Stucco Ceiling a Matching Color

Painting a stucco ceiling to match a room's walls will take more effort than a regular paint job. Painting a ceiling can cause additional neck strain, and the rough textured stucco surface often needs more than one coat of paint. Use dark ceiling colors for a cozy, closed in feel---the ceiling will feel lower and the room a bit small. Light ceiling colors will allow the room to feel bigger and more spacious.

Things You'll Need

• Wall paint sample
• Ceiling paint
• Poster board
• Painter's tape
• Plastic sheeting
• Drop clothes
• Screwdriver
• Paint tray
• Long nap roller
• Roller
• Roller frame
• Chip brush
• Angled brush
• Paint extension pole
• Ladder or scaffolding

Instructions

Choosing Color

1. Measure the ceiling area; multiply the width and length for the total area. Understand that one gallon of paint covers 400 square feet. Determine how much paint to purchase when applying two coats of ceiling paint. For dark colors such as reds, browns, and black add three layers into the calculation.

2. Bring a sample of the wall's color to the paint store. Find the closest color that matches the wall's shade. Use the paint strip and choose a color one or two shades lighter or darker for a coordinating look.

3. Paint the ceiling color on a large piece of cardboard. Tape the cardboard to the ceiling to ensure the color matches well. Look at the color at different times of the day as well as with artificial lighting.

Preparation

1. Remove all furniture and accessories from the room. Take down all pictures and decorative wall pieces. Cover all ceiling vents and fire alarms with tape or plastic for paint protection. Take down any light fixtures or ceiling fans and cover with plastic. Cover all remaining items with large pieces of plastic.

2. Place drop cloths on the floor. Smooth the drop clothes to get rid of all wrinkles; wrinkles can cause a painter to trip and fall.

3. Lay a drop cloth or plastic sheeting from the room to the nearest wash station.

4. Set up ladder and scaffolding and ensure the ceiling can easily be reached. Screw a painting pole onto a roller frame for additional extension.

Painting

1. Roll the paint using even vertical or horizontal strokes with a long nap roller. Do not apply pressure simply to fill in all the textured areas with paint; two coats are often necessary. Guide the roller in different directions to cover all the stucco's crevices.

2. Fill in any small, missed areas by stippling the area with an old chip brush.

3. Brush the perimeter of the ceiling with an angled trim brush. Slowly glide the brush along the corner line; avoid getting paint on the walls.

Tips & Warnings

• Always paint the ceiling first and the walls second; ceiling paint may drip, but if the walls are being painted, the paint can be quickly covered up.

• If having difficulty finding the right color, see if the paint store has color consultants on staff. The consultant will travel to the home or business for a small fee and make paint color suggestions.

• Paint a coat of grey primer to the ceiling surface prior to painting the ceiling red, brown, or other dark colors.

References

• Lowe's Paint Project Center