How to Paint Drop Ceilings

Paint a drop ceiling in the same manner as a regular one.

If you have a drop ceiling in your home that needs a fresh coat of paint, liven it up in an afternoon if you have the proper tools. Drop ceilings "drop" farther down than standard ceilings, but you will still need an extender attached to a roller brush and perhaps even a ladder to coat the ceiling with paint adequately. Use safety precautions, including asking a friend to help.

Things You'll Need

• Drop cloth
• Painter's tape
• Goggles
• Ladder
• Primer
• Screwdriver
• Paint stick
• Paint trays
• Narrow paint brush
• Roller brush with extender
• Paint

Instructions

1. Spread a drop cloth across the entire length of the room. You may need several drop cloths to do this. You do not want paint from the ceiling or your roller brush to drop on your floor.

2. Line the trim or wall just below the ceiling with painter's tape to protect the walls from getting paint on them.

3. Put on goggles. Because you will be looking up and using a roller brush with an extender, there is the possibility that paint will fall on your face.

4. Pry open the paint can for the primer. Mix it with a paint stick for several minutes. Pour the primer in the base of the paint tray. Dip a narrow paintbrush in the paint and wipe off excess on the side.

5. Paint around the edges of the ceiling where the roller brush cannot reach.

6. Dip the roller brush into the paint and roll away excess paint on the upper part of the tray.

7. Roll the paint onto the ceiling using a zigzag approach in which you draw a 3-foot "W" forward and the trace back over it in a single stroke. Fill in the spaces between the "W" with the roller. Repeat until the entire ceiling is covered in primer.

8. Allow the primer to dry. Open, mix, pour, dip and paint the paint on the ceiling in the same manner you applied the primer. Allow paint to dry.

References

• Real Simple: How to Paint a Ceiling