Emulsioning a ceiling?????

[j0nb0y]

Can anyone give me any tips on how to get a good finish when emulsioning ceilings? I have no problem getting decent finish when i emulsion walls, but always seem to get shading when I do ceilings!!!! Any idea what I am doing wrong and what I should be doing?

Any answers would be mush appreciated, I hate doing a second rate job.

[The Builder]

Depends on the ceiling Jonboy ............. is it new plaster?
Is it plasterboard or older Lath & plaster?

[theshedman]

Hi, usually if you get shading it's due to the way you are putting the emulsion on. If you are using a roller make sure you are using enough paint on it and that you always keep a wet edge. Put one coat on say from one side of the room to the other then another coat from the window to the back of the room. Often when painting a ceiling people tend to put less paint on the brush or roller at times and this will cause this problem.

[ummmm]

Might need two coats.

[heathfield]

There's the possibility that...Ceilings are where most of the dust, smoke, and grease accumulates. When you're painting, you're wetting this dirt, so it can seep through and discolour the new emulsion. If the new paint doesn't seal the surface well enough, this discolouration can affect subsequent coats too. This applies especially to kitchens. Keep adding more coats.

[ummmm]

Or clean the ceiling first with sugar soap.

[theshedman]

Hi, if it's a stain on the ceiling then adding more coats won't do anything to it as it will just keep bleeding through. It will need sealing before it's emulsioned. I have always used 50/50 oil based undercoat and gloss for this then give it 2 or 3 coats of emulsion afterwards. If it's as you say though just shading I would try my first answer before trying this one.

[Dodger666]

If you haven't got one, try it next time with a long handled roller. Looking up from a lower level you see the coverage better. You can get a long handled roller with a built in drip tray to reduce the splatter.

[AlBags]

Seal stains with Thompsons stain sealer from B&Q.
Clean ceiling with sugar soap .. especially if kitchen or bathroom.
Apply two coats .. first a thin covering coat .. using good quality 3 or 4" brush, brushing out well in different directions.
Final finish will be flat.
I recommend using flat emulsions.

[Charlie911]

I tell you what I do. I always use 'silk' paint for ceinlings. It gives a shiny look as against a flat look a 'matt' paint will give you. So what you ask. Well the main reason I use silk is because it reflects the light so much more. Turn the light on and it looks like you have a brighter bulb in!

There are special paints for bathrooms and kitchens so we'll use the lounge as an example. Remove all cobwebs. You don't need to wash the ceiling at all. BUT if it is badly smoke stained, you will need a special paint that will cover that so that it won't bleed through,
Okay, after making sure there are no cobwebs, use a matt paint for the first coat.
Whatever way you do it, follow these steps. (If you want a silk 'shiny' finish like I have mentioned above) After removing all thecobwebs, paint the ceiling with matt emulsion paint for the first coat. For the second coat use silk emulsion. All done!

Obviously if you want a matt finish use a silk emulsion for the first coat and a matt for the second.

Why use 2 different paints? Because that way you can see perfectly where you are going and you cannot miss any bits.

Simple when you think about it! Good luck and use a roller. However some people cannot get on with a roller. In that case use a good quality paint pad.

[theshedman]

Why buy 2 different paints to do 1 job, it doesn't make sense and it's not needed. If you are doing it properly you will see the part you have done. My own personal view on Silk or Matt on ceilings is that a silk finish should only be used if you have a very flat ceiling as it will show up every little mark if not really smooth.

[Charlie911]

theshedman: You ask; "Why buy 2 different paints to do 1 job, it doesn't make sense and it's not needed. If you are doing it properly you will see the part you have done."
Not really shedman. Because you use the paint on another ceiling..get it? Howver I do agree with you in part. I used to be a pro decorater and I don't have any trouble at all. But the avereage person tends to think along the lines 'I think I've painted that bit twice.' Then it shows up later when it's dry. The reason for using the two paints is solely so the amateur can see plainly where they are going...that's all.


You also state "My own personal view on Silk or Matt on ceilings is that a silk finish should only be used if you have a very flat ceiling as it will show up every little mark if not really smooth." Again I disagree with you. It depends solely on your choice. I have artexed ceilings, that's why I like it.
Yes if you have an uneven ceiling it can (I suppose) leave darker shadows, but then why not use silk?

Dont' worry theshedman. I'm not trying to have an argument with you, it really is your own prefference. I was just describing it in terms of the amateur.

[theshedman]

Hi Charlie, I agree that silk can look good on a textured ceiling or walls but they do need to have a good finish as a silk finish will show up any imperfections. I have it on walls in my home but there was a lot of work to get them in good condition first. As I was taught years ago by one of the best all the work is in the preparation and he was right. I can see what you are saying about the different types of paint but not something I would do. As I said earlier if you put it on thick enough and always keep a wet edge things should be fine. It's good to have different opinions though. That is what makes the site worth looking at.

[Charlie911]

Thanks TheShedMan for not taking offence. I have noticed that some people on here really do take exception at the slightest remark. And yes I quite agree with you, the more opinions people offer the more people can make their own mind up.

[AlBags]

Charlie ..
If you worked on period houses to very high standards, you would be changing your view on a few methods.
Pads .. Silk on all ceilings .. different paints ..

[Charlie911]

Yeah but like I said, I was really giving advice to amateurs.

But yes you are right, I would recommend differently.

[WILLWONKER]

I think the problem today for any amateur is the crapp materials they are being sold by the big DIY chains if they have never purchased paint and rollers before they will come unstuck, they are tempted to buy cheap white emulsion and rollers that have got less fluff on them than a tampax, give anyone the right tools for the job and most will sucseed in painting

[Charlie911]

Well said Willywonker. Love the tampax remark!!! lol