Painting a Popcorn Ceiling

Tools:

feather duster
40-inch-wide paint overspray shield
ladder
paint bucket
drop cloths
duster
paint strainer
paint rags
dust mask
head covering
safety glasses
disposable coveralls (optional)
airless sprayer (rental)
spray primer / stain blocker
latex paint

1. The biggest part of this job is preparation. Cover everything in the room that will be exposed to paint overspray, including yourself. Wear a plastic head covering, dust mask, safety goggles and a disposable coverall if desired (figure A).

2. Now clean and dust the ceiling using a feather duster (figure B).

3. Cover the stain with a spray pigmented shellac that matches the ceiling color. If you just paint over the stain, it will likely reappear in about a week. Motion is key here to achieving a smooth look. Start your arm in motion before pressing the spray nozzle. Just keep saying, "move-spray-stop" while you apply the shellac (figure C). Remember this as it's the same method you'll use later with the airless paint sprayer.

4. Give the stain blocker about 30 minutes or so to dry. Follow the instructions on the can.

6. When using a sprayer, it's important to strain the paint first to make sure it's smooth and free from any lumps (figure E).

7. Cover any ceiling light fixtures with newspaper and you're ready to spray.

8. Hold the nozzle so it's parallel to the wall. Lock your wrist, hold the nozzle about 8 to 10 inches from the wall, and apply the paint in a smooth, consistent motion. Work with a small area at a time, and use a crisscross pattern for full, even coverage.

9. When working near a wall, have a friend hold a large paint shield to avoid getting spray on the wall (figure F).