How to paint a ceiling yourself: step by step

Ceiling first — top down. After this the ceiling is never touched again.

Difficulty 2 of 5 · about half a day · you can do this

Photo of your room, the look you pick, then this guide with the materials counted for your room.

What you need

Step 1 of 5
Cut in the ceiling perimeter with a brush
Brush a band along the ceiling where it meets the walls.
Step 2 of 5
Roll in one direction, overlapping 2–4 inches
Roller on the extension pole. Work in strips in one direction from the window toward the door.
Step 3 of 5
Do not stop halfway
The seam between dried and fresh paint will show. Finish the whole ceiling in one pass.
Step 4 of 5
Second coat after 2–4 hours, perpendicular to the first
Wait 2–4 hours. Roll the second coat at 90° to the first.
Step 5 of 5
Pull the ceiling-line tape before the paint fully dries
If you wait until it is fully dry, the tape will tear the paint film.

Stopping in the middle of the ceiling. Where dried paint meets fresh paint you get a visible lap mark. One ceiling, one pass.
Pulling tape after the paint is fully dry. Dry paint tears along the tape and leaves a ragged edge. Pull it while the paint is still slightly soft.