Lesson 5 — Painting ceilings

Tools and materials

• Ceiling or wall emulsion as specified
• Brush for cutting in
• Roller, medium-pile sleeve, tray, extension pole
• Stepladder or low platform
• Dust sheets
• Safety glasses

Preparation checklist

• Complete preparation (Lesson 3) and any priming (Lesson 4).
• Remove or cover light fittings — isolate power first if removing; ask an electrician if unsure.
• Cover everything below; paint spatter falls a long way.

Safety precautions

• Use an extension pole from the floor wherever possible instead of a ladder.
• If you use a stepladder, keep both feet and your hips within the stiles, and don't stand on the top steps.
• Wear eye protection — overhead painting drips.

Step by step

1. Ventilate the room and lay dust sheets.
2. Cut in a band about 50–75 mm wide along the wall edges and around fittings with a brush.
3. Load the roller and start in a corner near a window.
4. Roll in sections about a metre square, working away from the light, using overlapping strokes in different directions to spread the paint.
5. Finish each section with light parallel strokes in one direction (often toward the main window).
6. Keep a wet edge: roll into the previous section before it dries so laps don't show.
7. Don't press hard or roll too fast — this causes spatter and uneven film.
8. Check the ceiling from different angles with a torch; touch in thin areas while wet.
9. Let it dry as the data sheet says before a second coat, then repeat.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Cutting in the whole room long before rolling — the band shows as a frame.
• Stopping halfway across — creates a visible line.
• Overloading the roller — drips and spatter.

Troubleshooting

• Lines or 'tramlines': press less on the roller edge and lay off lightly.
• Patchy finish after drying: usually needs another full coat, not patching.

Final quality check

• Even colour from all angles
• Clean line at wall junction
• No drips on walls or fittings
• Floor and furniture clean