How to paint a ceiling?

[gregch]

OK, I have painted a few ceilings in the past and seem to have done an OK job, but...

I now have to re-paint a bathroom ceiling that was last painted by the bathroom fitters (before the bathroom was fitted). It's a small ensuite, most of which is taken up by a walk-in shower, with a colossal L-shape glass screen extending to within a few inches of the ceiling, plus the usual downlighters, extractor and other obstacles.

So it's a pretty awkward space to try and wield a roller in, added to which I don't love doing ceilings with a roller because I always seems to get paint dripping off it into my face, or a lot of spatter. For the same reason, I'm pondering the merits of solid emulsion (is that still a thing?) vs regular emulsion.

And maybe using a pad to apply the paint, and a brush just for cutting in.

Does that sound sensible? How would you do it?

[fttm]

If it's only a small space try using a radiator roller , but don't overload it with paint .

[President Merkin]

You can't do a whole ceiling with a roller anyway, they can't get into corners, so you'll have to wave a brush at it at points. The trick with a roller is to slow down. The paint spatters because people roll too quickly. And people roll too quickly because they find painting boring. Take your time, don't overload it & roll at angles & you'll be golden.

[Mr_J]

Use a pole.

I used to just hold the roller frame in my hand, switching to using the roller on a pole transformed the speed, finish and ability to paint awkward spaces.

[sherman]

How big is the celling?
A standard bsthroom is going to be about 2mx3m. By the time you have done all the cutting in round the edges, awkward spaces a roller wont fit and light fittings will there really be any need for a roller that a 4" brush wont do in a few strokes.

[Cold]

And mask up the shower screen with plastic sheet/paper/tape etc.

[Simpo Two]

It's only an en-suite. I'd stand on a chair and use a normal brush, eg 3". It will only drip in your face if you overload it.

[Dr.Hellno]

Brush and 4” medium pile roller.

Don’t use basic contract matt paint.

[gregch]

Thanks, a lot of useful tips there. I'll maybe try a small roller, or just do the whole thing with a brush.

Any thoughts on the solid emulsion vs regular? Used to be all the go for ceilings years ago but don't see it much now.

[President Merkin]

I think you'll be there all day long if you confine yourself to a brush. A roller & a brush for cutting in is the best combo. Paint wise, as it's a bathroom, you ought to go with bathroom paint, designed to be non absorbent. If you use ordinary emulsion in a high humidity area, you'll notice darkening of the paint every time you have a bath when it takes on moisture.

[illmonkey]

gregch said:

Thanks, a lot of useful tips there. I'll maybe try a small roller, or just do the whole thing with a brush.

Any thoughts on the solid emulsion vs regular? Used to be all the go for ceilings years ago but don't see it much now.

You need something waterproof ideally. I've used this, and a roller and brush. I'm not 100%, but it's VERY thin, so the splatter a lot worse. Just squeeze the roller a lot more and reload frequently. Also, don't roll fast, just smooth slow strokes (thats what she said)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/zinsser-self-priming-pa...

[PF62]

Firstly the ceiling should be painted before the walls, and doing that means you are less concerned about the roller touching the walls or any fuss with cutting in.

A pole for the roller makes a big difference as you are stood back more to see where you have painted.

Doing it in good light is a must.

Lastly a good paint for coverage and not to leave roller marks - the best I have found is Leyland Trade Smart Matt - https://leylandtrade.com/products/walls-and-ceilin...

[gregch]

That all sounds sensible, thanks.

Incidentally it turns out solid emulsion no longer exists (well it does, but only for specialist applications, not for painting ceilings).

[bennno]

gregch said:

That all sounds sensible, thanks.

Incidentally it turns out solid emulsion no longer exists (well it does, but only for specialist applications, not for painting ceilings).

Lot of good tips below, another is buy decent trade emulsion from a local paint specialist - not the watered down drippy rubbish from one of the big sheds.

[gmaz]

You can use a non-drip roller that catches any drips and splatters

https://www.diy.com/departments/large-9-ceiling-an...

[sherman]

gmaz said:

You can use a non-drip roller that catches any drips and splatters

https://www.diy.com/departments/large-9-ceiling-an...

Are you sure. Its out of stock at b&q.

[Wacky Racer]

Use a very small roller or 3" brush.

They don't seem to make "Solid" emulsion any more which is a pity.

[InitialDave]

gregch said:

paint a bathroom ceiling

If you do a really good job, you could call it the cistern chapel.

[gregch]

InitialDave said:

If you do a really good job, you could call it the cistern chapel.

[dhutch]

President Merkin said:

I think you'll be there all day long if you confine yourself to a brush.

Depends on the size of the room, I find a good 4" brush faster than a 4" 'radiator' type roller. I'll only make that mistake once!