Here's How We Paint Ceilings | Tips from a Greater Moncton Licensed Painter

If you’ve ever tried painting a ceiling yourself, you already know—it’s a completely different challenge than painting walls. Between working overhead, managing roller marks, and keeping a consistent finish, ceilings can quickly become one of the most frustrating parts of a painting project.

My name is Remi Boudreau, licensed painter and color consultant, owner of Expressions Painting, proudly serving homeowners throughout Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe. In this guide, you’ll learn seven tips to make ceiling painting faster and easier. There's also a video version below with more information and demonstrations. 

Tip 1: Spot Prime Repairs

Always spot prime ceiling repairs before the final coat. This prevents uneven absorption and patchy areas.

Tip 2: Use the Right Roller Nap

We recommend a 15 mm nap for homeowners and an 18 mm woven nap for professionals. A thicker nap holds more paint and reduces roller marks.

Tip 3: Keep the Roller Properly Loaded

Avoid stretching the paint too far. A properly saturated roller gives a more even finish and reduces streaks

Tip 4: Cut Around Fixtures First

Always cut around lights and vents before rolling. If you’re repainting the same color, you usually don’t need to remove the fixtures.

Tip 5: Roll First, Then Brush the Edges

In smaller rooms, you can roll tight to the wall first, then brush out the edges. This prevents ridges and makes wall cutting easier later. But in larger room, it's best to brush in the perimeter first to make sure the roller marks don't dry before you get a chance to smooth them out with the brush.

Tip 6: Save the roller for next time

One of the biggest time-savers we use on our projects is how we store our rollers. At the end of a ceiling project, instead of washing or throwing away the roller, we fully load it with paint and wrap it tightly in plastic.

When we start the next job, the roller is already primed and ready. This saves time, reduces waste, and gives a more consistent finish from the very first roll.

Tip 7: Stucco Ceilings Are More Forgiving

Stucco ceilings allow for thicker application and hide minor roller marks, making them easier for homeowners to paint. So if you want to practice, this is a great place to do so.

Need Help with Ceiling Painting in Moncton?

Expressions Painting provides professional interior painting, ceiling repairs, and color consulting throughout Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe (and surrounding areas).

Contact us today for a free consultation.