Painting the ceiling with water-based paint: surface preparation, step-by-step instructions for painting

Why paint a foam ceiling?

Many are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to paint a foam ceiling tile. It is not only possible, but also necessary! Although it all depends on the type of tile. It is produced in two versions - with a laminated surface and for painting.

Laminate tiles do not need to be painted immediately after gluing. For several years it retains its original color and lends itself to careful washing with a soft cloth. But over time, the coating fades, becomes covered with spots. Then the ceiling has to be either re-finished or painted.

Laminated ceiling tiles do not need to be painted

Paintable tiles must be painted.

1. A layer of paint will protect the foam from moisture and mechanical damage, strengthen the surface structure, and extend the service life of the finish.
2. Unlike laminated tiles, bare foam cannot be cleaned properly. Dirt easily penetrates its pores, and the ceiling looks unkempt. This problem is especially acute in the kitchen, where fat constantly settles on the surface. And paints with water-repellent properties are easy to wash.

Foam tiles for painting require mandatory painting

Another reason to paint a foam ceiling is decorative. With the help of staining, it is easy to give the ceiling any desired color so that it organically fits into the interior and emphasizes its overall style. And you can also return a decent look to yellowed and dirty tiles.

Choice of paint

If you decide to cover the ceiling with paint over an old layer of material, then you will have to face the question of choosing the right option. For such work, different paints are used. Each type has its own advantages and a number of disadvantages.

Acrylic

Perhaps this type of paint is the most popular. It is good because it is highly resistant to all kinds of dirt and dries quickly. So you can safely use this material, for example, in the kitchen, where the work with food is not always neat.

Such paint also withstands high humidity well. If any contamination appears on the painted surface, it can be safely removed with a damp cloth or napkin, without fear of cracking the paint.

Acrylic paint can be easily applied to a wide variety of surfaces. It fits well on metal, wood, plastic, and even on already plastered bases.

Painting with acrylic is also good because it perfectly hides minor surface imperfections. Textured paint is able to mask small cracks or places where pieces of the coating have already fallen off.

It is also pleasant that such a coating dries quickly and retains its color for a long time. Even if you paint the ceiling in a room where the sun's rays will constantly fall on it, the paint will fade and fade far from immediately. However, there is one caveat: when choosing this type of paint, remember that the color of the coating applied to the ceiling will differ slightly from the one you see on the package, because the material immediately darkens. This cannot be called such a big drawback, because there are a lot of colors, and you can always find exactly the shade that will suit you in the end.

Latex

There are several other types of paints that are suitable for the ceiling. One of the most expensive options is latex. This paint is ideal for painting the ceiling over an old layer. The fact is that it perfectly masks defects, microcracks on any surfaces.You can safely wash or wipe the ceiling painted with this material.

Silicant

Cracks (up to two millimeters) can be masked by silicate paint. However, it is more expensive than most analogs.

This is a coating that is used for profile finishing of walls and ceilings in industrial premises - for example, in warehouses. This paint is based on liquid glass. This coating is best applied to concrete or stone surfaces.

The main stage of painting

Painting tools

To perform a high-quality painting of the ceiling with paint based on an aqueous emulsion, you will need:

1. paint brush for painting butt joints between the wall and ceiling, as well as corners;
2. narrow brush for correcting;
3. fur, long-haired roller,
4. bath for paint,
5. ribbed surface for even paint distribution over the roller surface.

Staining rules

just as with chalk whitewashing, it is better to apply the first layer of paint parallel to the rays of light from the window, and the second - parallel to the window frame

Many do not know how to paint the ceiling with water-based paint correctly. In most cases, they do not take into account during painting, the direction of the luminous flux and many other nuances. Therefore, the painted surface is uneven, with stripes from the passage of a brush or roller, with lighter or darker spots. To prevent this from happening to you, follow these rules.

• It is always necessary to start painting from the corners and joints between the wall and the ceiling. In this case, the farthest corner relative to the entrance door is painted first. To do this, a wide paint brush is moistened halfway in the paint, then squeezed out slightly to remove excess. A passage is made around the entire perimeter, with a width of 3 to 5 cm. Due to this, with further painting with a roller, the joints of the ceiling and walls, as well as the corners, will not be damaged.
• The main whitewashing of the ceiling with water-based paint is performed with a roller. It is applied in three passes, regardless of what type of paint is selected. In this case, the very first paint pass is performed parallel to the rays of light falling from the window. The second is perpendicular to it. The latter should always be directed towards the window.
• Each subsequent staining is carried out only on the well-dried previous layer. This takes 8 to 12 hours.

Painting technology

1. In a tray filled with paint, moisten the roller and run it three to four times over the rough surface. This will allow the paint to spread evenly over the roller.
2. Make the first pass on the ceiling section. Starting from the corner on the left side of the wall opposite the window.
3. It is necessary to move the roller from left to right. Then change direction. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the paint lays down in an even layer, without visible transitions. You can move the roller and W-shaped movements.
4. The following technique will help to remove the excess of applied paint: when there is no paint left on the roller, pass it along the painted surface. He will absorb all the excess.
5. In the process of painting, check the quality of the painting using a directed bright beam of light.
6. Using a new roller during the last painting will give a uniform surface.
7. Until the paint is completely dry, no drafts are allowed in the room. It is advisable to protect the painted surface from direct sunlight. This will avoid stains. Do not try to dry the painted surface with electrical appliances.

Features of painting a plastered surface

The plastering ceiling can be painted using a special spray gun or a regular vacuum cleaner. They give a high-quality, even distribution of paint on the plastered ceiling surface. At the same time, it lays down in a thin, even layer.It is best to paint with a spray gun on a primer already made with a roller or brush.

If during the painting of the ceiling with water-based paint, all the technology was strictly followed, then the result will delight you with the beauty and uniformity of the surface.

Selection of materials and tools

This stage is considered the most important. The quality and service life of the future surface depends on the correct selection of tools and consumables.

It is important to make purchases in large chain hypermarkets or in company stores, there are a lot of fakes on the markets

Required tool

• The main painting tool that is used for working with water-based emulsion is a roller. For finishing the ceiling, it is better to choose a product with a medium-haired coat - this way the paint will not spray on the sides, but at the same time the color of the base will overlap without stains and streaks. For faster work, the height of the cylinder should be 18–25 cm.
• Then you need to pick up one or two brushes for painting over corners or hard-to-reach places, for example, behind ventilation ducts or pipes. A brush no more than 8 cm wide is best. You can also use an angled roller. You should buy a container for paint, it can be called a paint bath or tray, as well as a cuvette. The flat part of the bottom of the container should be grooved so that it is convenient to squeeze out excess paint from the tool.
• In addition, you need to purchase fine-grain sandpaper, masking tape (ordinary scotch tape will do) and plastic wrap. It is recommended that you ensure that you have special clothing, gloves, hats and glasses in advance. So that you can control the surface quality while painting the ceiling with water-based paint with your own hands, you need to prepare a powerful lamp and a pole to raise it to the ceiling.
• If you have a stepladder at hand, you can use it, but you should not specifically purchase it. You can buy a telescopic roller tube, or use tables, cabinets, and other furniture as stands. All small interior items should be removed from the room, and floors and bulky furniture should be covered with foil.

How to choose paint

To paint ceilings with water-based paint with your own hands, you can use the following types of material:

1. Polyvinyl acetate compounds. The cheapest type of paintwork materials. Surfaces covered with such paint must not be wetted with water.
2. Latex. They are considered to be of the highest quality. With their help, you can get strong and durable coatings. The price of materials is also quite high.
3. Acrylic. The most common type. They are distinguished by a good combination of price and quality.
4. Silicate. Compositions with the addition of water glass are most often used for painting stone or plastered coatings. They can be used both indoors and outdoors.
5. Silicone. They have good hiding power, vapor permeability and long service life, but their too high cost makes them less popular than acrylic paints.

The most durable are acrylic compounds, the cheapest PVA, for new buildings you need to take latex, universal acrylate are suitable everywhere, but they are expensive

When choosing a material for coloring, you need to listen to the advice of the seller, but it is also recommended to carefully read the label. The manufacturer indicates the following information on it:

1. Type of work. It can be indoor or outdoor work on bases of various materials.
2. Paint consumption. Based on this indicator, you can roughly calculate the total amount of material, but it is better to add 10%.
3. Opacity. The number of layers that will be required to completely cover the old color depends on this indicator.
4. Resistant to abrasion or moisture. The material can only be suitable for dry operating conditions without mechanical stress.Slightly more expensive - paints that can withstand mechanical stress. They are followed by materials that, after drying, do not dissolve with water, and the most expensive are dirt-repellent paints.

All water-based paints are white, color is added later, but the entire volume must be tinted, otherwise there will be stains

It is also important to consider the type of finished coating:

• Matt. They do not lend themselves well to washing, but visually increase the height of the ceilings and mask minor defects.
• Glossy. More abrasion resistant and easy to clean, but does not hide defects.
• Semi-matte. A compromise between the above two types.

Highlights in ceiling painting

When working on surface painting, it is advisable to use a water-soluble paint. Such a dye does not have a harmful odor, it can be cleaned well only with water. With a uniform, thin layer, this paint is applied to the ceiling surface. At the same time, the appearance of the ceiling is noticeably improved.

The advantages of the water-based dye are as follows:

• no harmful artificial additives;
• the absence of an antipathetic odor characteristic of other compositions;
• high design characteristics.

Types of water-based dyes:

• with acrylic content;
• with silicate;
• based on silicone;
• mineral base.

It is impossible to wash off the acrylic coating with water after complete hardening, since the composition includes glue, latex for a strong connection to the surface. Acrylic gives the paint durability, latex - waterproof.

Acrylic water-based paint forms a highly durable surface

The water-based base dries quickly, unlike oil paint, which is a plus. Silicone water-based paint is a good choice for painting bathrooms or kitchens. It tolerates low and high temperatures well: more than 5,000 times you can clean the surface painted with it with a regular brush.

Surface preparation

Before opening a can of paint, it is worth preparing the room and the ceiling itself (see What color to paint the ceiling: design options).

Preparing the room will boil down to taking out what you can handle and covering everything else. The ideal material for protecting against paint drops is plastic wrap. But with the preparation of the surface of the ceiling, the hassle will be much more:

Let's start by removing the flaking plaster. In addition, if the ceiling is affected by a fungus, all darkened areas of the plaster must be cleaned up to the concrete base. For this operation we will arm ourselves with a steel spatula.

During major repairs, all old plaster from the walls and ceiling is often completely removed.

By the way, any liquid containing chlorine can be used to destroy the fungus. For example, the domestic detergent Whiteness. However, unlike a special primer, it will not provide long-term protection against mold (see Fungus on the ceiling: control and prevention).

• After the ceiling is dry, it is time for a penetrating primer. It will strengthen the surface and improve the adhesion of the putty to it (see How to putty a plasterboard ceiling with your own hands).
• All irregularities are carefully putty with starting putty. After drying, it is sanded with a coarse sanding mesh. You can do it manually; however, the sander will speed up the procedure many times over.

Sanding the ceiling by hand is possible, but very tedious.

• The next stage is the final putty of the entire surface. It is better to apply it in two thinner layers with complete drying of each; tool - wide steel spatula. Then - fine sanding with a fine mesh or sandpaper.
• After this stage, the surface is re-primed (see Do I need to prime the ceiling before painting: different types of surfaces). Besides, again, maximum surface strength and better paint adhesion, the primer will reduce its consumption. Do not doubt the economic underpinnings of this operation: the primer is much cheaper than a quality paint.

The surface is in perfect condition and completely ready for painting. However, the streaks during painting appear not only due to the unevenness of its surface.

Correct roller selection

This is one of the main issues in the repair work on painting ceilings with water-based paint. Experts solve this problem unambiguously: the roller should have a long and soft natural pile.

Table. varieties of rollers.

Popular types of embossed rollers and features of their application

In general, rollers come in three basic sizes:

• small - up to 100 mm;
• medium size from 100 to 200 mm;
• large - more than 300 mm.

Medium in shape is the most common type of instrument. Large rollers are used on large surfaces. When dyeing, rollers with long hair should be squeezed well. A very important point: make sure that the pile does not fall off! Often, paint rollers are equipped with a special semicircular cone to protect the artist from dye splashes. This is especially useful when working with high ceilings. The roller sometimes comes with a special container or tray for paint (cuvette). In this case, the pile almost does not fall off from it.

How to paint the ceiling with a water emulsion with your own hands

Each of the water-based paints on the can has instructions for use. The order of work is described there. Some formulations just need to be mixed well before work: undissolved polymers can settle at the bottom of the can. Some formulations require dilution. The amount of added water is also prescribed in the instructions and depends on the method of application. They dilute more under spray guns; when using a roller, thicker compositions are required.

Paint tray makes work easier

When diluting a water emulsion with water, add it in small portions. Stir thoroughly and taste on the surface. If the paint lies flat, almost completely covers the base, you can paint.

It is more convenient to pour the paint into a special container with a bath and a ribbed platform. You can use a regular bowl and a clean piece of oilcloth, spread out next to it. It is not so convenient, but less expensive.

Which roller to choose

A roller for painting the ceiling with an aqueous emulsion is needed with a dense short nap. You need to examine it thoroughly. The pile should “sit” firmly and in no case should it “climb out”, even if you pull on it. Then inspect how the seam was made. In no case should he stand out. It must be hard to find. It is best if it is made obliquely.

Rollers for painting the ceiling with water-based emulsion

Devote maximum attention to the choice of roller: the quality of the painting - the absence of stripes on the ceiling - largely depends on how good you have chosen the tool. It is more convenient to whitewash the ceiling with a water emulsion not from a stepladder, but from the floor. To do this, the roller is placed on a long handle and fixed well.

How to paint without streaks

So that there are no stripes on the ceiling, painting the ceiling with water-based paint should be finished no later than 20 minutes.Water immediately after application begins to actively absorb / evaporate and stripes appear at the junction of the dried and "fresh" color. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare the room. It is necessary to turn off (wrap up) the heating batteries, to prevent the appearance of a draft. It is also advisable to clean the floor immediately before whitewashing, even if you work during the day, turn on the lights, this will allow you to better control the quality of the painting. Then you can get to work.

Ready-to-use water-based paint is poured into a container, a roller is dipped into it, then rolled well over the site, achieving uniform distribution over the entire surface. When the roller has a solid color, they begin to paint.

The corners are painted over with the first brush. After applying a little paint, take a small roller and roll it out well. Then they begin to paint the main surface. The first layer is applied parallel to the window, the second - perpendicularly.

You need to stand so as to look at the painted place at an angle. This will give you a good chance to see how evenly the paint is distributed, as well as the place where you have already painted and where not. Move systematically, without jumping from one piece to another.

It is more convenient to paint from the floor, and for this, the roller must be attached to a long, but lightweight handle.

The width of the strip to be painted at a time is slightly larger than the width of the roller. After wetting the roller, place it approximately in the middle of the strip. Quickly roll the paint in both directions from one wall to the other. Don't waste a lot of time: you don't have much of it. On average, the water emulsion dries up in 10-20 seconds. Before that, you did not have time to apply a strip nearby - the border will be clearly visible, from which you will not get rid of. Having distributed the paint more or less evenly over the strip, dip the roller in the paint, and again roll it out from the middle of the ceiling. At the same time, enter the not already painted strip by about 10 cm. All this at a good pace without stopping and smoking breaks. The edges of the painted strip must not dry out. In general, these are all rules.

After applying the first coat of paint, some areas may be less stained. It is necessary to wait for complete drying, and paint a second time. This should already be enough to get a flat surface. If after the third layer of water-based paint you still have streaks and streaks on the ceiling, you will have to redo it. It is necessary to level the surface with sandpaper, prime and paint again.

Which color

The easiest way to achieve perfect color evenness is to use "snow white" paint. All pigments clearly highlight even small irregularities, therefore, the process of filling the ceiling should be given maximum attention or use an acrylic or silicone based water emulsion.

Varieties of water-based paints

All produced water-based formulations can be divided into 3 categories:

1. Mineral. These paints are based on cement or lime. They are used for facade work and are not suitable for painting living quarters.
2. Silicate. The main component of silicate compounds is water glass. These paints are not used for painting bathrooms and rooms with high humidity, but they can be used in dry rooms with plastered or concrete ceilings.
3. Acrylic latex. Acrylic, which is part of the paints, promotes rapid drying of the painted surface. Latex gives the coating elasticity, strength and resistance to cracking. The presence of low-toxic resins allows you to make the ceiling matte or glossy.

The advantages of these formulations:

• they don't smell;
• do not emit toxic substances;
• with the help of pigments, they are tinted in the desired color;
• dry quickly;
• dissolve in water;
• after drying, they form a thin, but durable film, which is not damaged by high humidity, temperature drops and treatment with detergents;
• they can paint any surfaces - concrete, plaster, wallpaper for painting;
• belong to the category of budgetary paints and varnishes.

Consumption

When buying paint, you need to understand how much will be spent on finishing the ceiling. To do this, you will need to calculate the material consumption.

What determines the expense:

1. Opacity. This factor is related to hue - light colors are consumed more than dark ones. Also, be sure to take into account the color of the rough surface.
2. The number of layers and the thickness of one ball.
3. Application method (spray gun, roller, brush).
4. Characteristics of the rough surface, the degree of its preparation.
5. From skills and craftsmanship.

Be sure to look at the packaging consumption - it is indicated in g / m2. However, the indicated consumption is assumed for a perfectly prepared surface and for only one coat, therefore if you need to coat in two or more coats, you will need more paint.

Estimated paint consumption.