Painting ceiling

[lizziecupcakes]

Hi all, I have a bedroom ceiling to paint. It’s about 4m x 5m.

It was freshly plastered and I added mist coat which went on fine, no peeling. I then did the first coat of paint, which was fine, only two slight patchy areas, and then my partner did the second coat last night and it looks absolutely terrible now that it’s dried. He tried his best.

There are patches absolutely everywhere and it’s very obvious in the light. I think i’m much better at doing this so I will do it, but I’m concerned that another layer of paint might cause a problem? Will it look uneven? What if i do it patchy too?

I’m worried that adding the third coat paint coat will cause a problems so I’m nervous about going forward.

I also noticed that painting in the direction of the light from the windows might be a bad idea? Should I do it the opposite direction , or maybe it doesn’t matter.

Also my neck hurts so much after painting the ceiling. Any tips?

Thank you

 

[stuart45]

What type of paint are you using? Are you using a paint brush or roller?

 

[Cubist]

Presumably you're using a roller? Is it one with a long handle you can use to limit the amount of time you spend on a step ladder? These also help you to spot sections you've missed in an earlier pass much more easily than you would when 'up close and personal' so to speak. If not, then get one but make sure the 'reach' of the handle and roller combined allows you to step well back from where you are applying the paint - that should help to reduce, but not eliminate, the neck ache. It's safe, I guess, to also assume that you use a brush to paint the border of the ceiling and to cut in to the walls? Oftentimes paint applied by brush goes on thicker than it does from a roller and the brush stroke tracks can be more obvious and will reflect the available light differently to that of a roller applied paint. It's worth mentioning here that the different types of roller, foam and fleece, can also impart their own 'pattern' to the paint and it will therefore reflect light differently to say the brush applied border. Personally I try run the roller over the bulk of the painted border and getting as close as I can to the wall to create an even texture that reflects to the light in the same way. With rollers people are concerned, rightly so, to avoid 'cast off' that can spoil other surfaces if the user is too vigorous and this can lead to failures to load the roller properly and efforts to 'squeeze' as much paint as possible out of the roller before loading more paint. In my view slow and steady is the best approach and making sure the roller is sufficiently loaded between applications together with not being too determined to wring out the maximum paint at each pass. Its also useful to work across the ceiling surface in one direction and swap to the other axis for a subsequent coat - and repeating as necessary.

Oh, one other thing. I don't know how tall you are but if you have to buy a new long handled roller make sure you try it out in the shop first to get some idea whether you can reach your ceilings with it whilst standing 4-6 feet away from where you would be applying the paint. Also. be ready. you're swapping neck ache for back ache so maybe the other half needs to step up and get you a spa day.

 

[noj]

Also give it at least 48 hours to fully dry before deciding it's awful. Even if everything is touch dry it may still have moisture in it.
From experience the Leyland Trade seems to behave more like limewash and looks patchy for a day or two before full opacity - I guess some other emulsions may be similar

 

[lizziecupcakes]

What type of paint are you using? Are you using a paint brush or roller?

It’s a roller - Hamilton brand.
The paint is white ceiling paint from Dulux, matt finish

 

[lizziecupcakes]

Is it one with a long handle you can use to limit the amount of time you spend on a step ladder?

Yup, it’s a long handle one.

…that should help to reduce, but not eliminate, the neck ache.

Thanks you - I’ll try this.

It's safe, I guess, to also assume that you use a brush to paint the border of the ceiling and to cut in to the walls?

Yes, definitely did this!

Oftentimes paint applied by brush goes on thicker than it does from a roller and the brush stroke tracks can be more obvious and will reflect the available light differently to that of a roller applied paint.

Yes, you’re right, I can see this around the border but itself not too bad.

Oh, one other thing. I don't know how tall you are but if you have to buy a new long handled roller make sure you try it out in the shop first to get some idea whether you can reach your ceilings with it whilst standing 4-6 feet away from where you would be applying the paint.

I’m 5 foot 7 inches. So average height I guess. I first used the cheap sets from B&Q for the mist and first coat, but then my partner decided he wanted to get “good quality” ones so bought the Hamilton stuff. I didn’t use or test it as he was supposed to finish the ceiling while I did the cornices and skirting.

Also. be ready. you're swapping neck ache for back ache so maybe the other half needs to step up and get you a spa day.

Haha thank you. He’s good at the wood work stuff, sawing etc , but painting, nope. I am really tired so will probably do the ceiling on Friday.

Thank you for your help!

 

[lizziecupcakes]

Also give it at least 48 hours to fully dry before deciding it's awful. Even if everything is touch dry it may still have moisture in it.
From experience the Leyland Trade seems to behave more like limewash and looks patchy for a day or two before full opacity - I guess some other emulsions may be similar

Do you all think I should add a tiny bit of water to the Dulux white emulsion ceiling paint? I think the consistency is fine but not sure if that will help it glide on better?

Ceilings are hard work!

 

[stuart45]

Dulux ultra matt is better if you are getting the paint flashing in places. You might find you need to roller off {lay off} the ceiling about halfway if it's quite a large ceiling. Are you buying from B&Q or a trade centre?

 

[lizziecupcakes]

@stuart45 itt was from B&Q.
If i buy the dulux ultra matt, can I use it on top of the current dulux matt emulsion? I note that the one i’ve already been using is also for ceilings and walls.

 

[stuart45]

You can use ultra matt on top. The Dulux you get from B&Q is cheaper than the same Dulux you get from the Decorator centres because it's an inferior quality.

 

[fernicarry]

I wouldn't change the paint formula at this point. If it doesn't look consistent then keep going with more coats taking care with the coverage. A work light at a shallow angle will help you see any missed spots as you go along.

I've completely gone over to Wooster Jumbo Koter mini rollers with their Pelican kettle. They obviously hold less paint than a 9" roller but still a lot more than you'd expect. The advantage is that you have the paint kettle right in your hand so refilling takes a fraction of the time it does to manhandle a big roller down from the ceiling into a tray and back again. I feel that smaller more frequent refills will help with consistency and being able to refill without moving makes you less likely to miss bits. Plus you can have a brush sitting in the kettle on a magnetic holder ready for cutting in when you reach an edge. Tbh I don't find Hamilton gear to be all that special. Wooster do really nice brushes too if you feel like you want to spend a bit more...

For access I use one of these platforms. You can reach quite a large area without moving it and stepladders for the rest. The easier it is to get across the ceiling area the easier to keep your wet edge.

 

[lizziecupcakes]

Thanks you @stuart45 @Cubist @fernicarry - I am really shocked this part of the industry doesn't have better tools and techniques. The ceilings are the most laborious and tedious thing to do.

I'll just stick to the Dulux paint I've got - i think I'll try to reduce the factors. It may just be my partner is/was the problem here lol.

Do you think I should add a little water to the paint, just to thin it out a bit? Would that help it glide and cover the areas better?

 

[stuart45]

If it's from B&Q it'll be thin enough already. If you find there's still flashing there's no problem going over with ultra matt. It's done all the time on site.