painting ceiling - advice needed

kelly1234

I need some advice about painting a ceiling (never done one!) Basically, at the moment, the ceiling is painted in sheen/silk (its shiny) and is very nicotined (from previous owner of house). What is the best way of getting rid of nicotine stains?can i paint matt emulsion directly onto ceiling when it is sheeny at the moment?Roller or paint pad? Any suggestions as to best brand of paint/ones to avoid? Any advice greatly appreciated!

Lorian

Just roller over it. Brush a two-three inch strip around the outside first. Solid emulsion supplied already in a tray isn't the cheapest way to get the paint, but it's the easiest to put on!

evilgoose

You could dry giving the ceiling a wash down with some sugarsoap to remove the nicotine.

Or get a cheap tin of matt white to cover the stains then buy tin of your chosen colour and paint with that.

I've not done much decorating, but personnally I prefer paint pads.

ormus

if the room is empty then a roller (on a long stick) every time.
you will require at least 2 coats and poss even 3 coats.
if the room is full, then a 7 inch brush for me.

never_enough

Agree with ormus.
You need to paint around the edge of the ceiling with a brush before each coat using the roller. I wouldn't bother trying to wash it, just paint it severel times. I did my living room ceiling 3 times using Dulux & that covered quite bad sooty marks (from open fire). I think the previous owners may've smoked too...
There is a stain stop spray you can get if you really need it, but I'd try without.

msmicawber

You should really prepare the ceiling before painting it by washing it down with sugar soap as nicotine and tar from cigarettes are sticky which affects how the paint adheres and dries. Once washed down, a couple of coats of paint with a roller or one with a brush should have it fresh and white again.

nickj_2

as a rule unless you can get rid of all the nicotine off of the ceiling , the best thing to do is to give it a wash and then seal it with a solvent based undercoat , slightly thinned .
if you do not do this any remaining stains will bleed through your emulsion

Sunnyday

I had exactly the same problem at my last house the stains did come through the new emulsion.

I bought some cheap small patterned blown vinyl wallpaper and papered it then put on a coat of cheap white emulsion.
Did the whole ceiling for about £20 and it looked fantastic easily the best ceiling in the whole house and everyone commented on it.

It really depends on how far you want to go but i would do the same again.
Good luck!
SD

salbot

I just had to paint my ceiling, it was shiny and stained like yours too. I just used Dulux white emulsion. I put the first coat on yesterday and I think it will need one more. I used a roller, it was pretty easy to do.

Cheers
Salbot

mrs2fat

if its really badly stained, use zinsser stain block first, then something like a dulux contract matt