When painting a ceiling, start with the edges, where the walls meet the ceiling. You will want to do this as neatly as possible so that your finished job will be professional and so that you won't have to touch up the walls when you are finished. Whether your walls have molding at the top, or not, you will want to follow these steps for painting ceiling edges.
Instructions
1. Use painter's blue tape to mask off the ceiling from the wall or trim. The type of tape you use is very important to minimize the tape. You need to apply the tape onto the wall, running along the edge of the ceiling. Take your time with this step to ensure the tape is in a very straight line and that the tape is secure to the wall.
2. Pour about a quart of ceiling paint into a smaller container so that you can manage it while on a ladder. Make sure the paint has been mixed thoroughly.
3. Load the paint brush with a moderate amount of paint and apply it to the ceiling above the tape. Do not slop a large amount of paint on for this first coat. To keep the paint from bleeding under the tape, paint in the direction away from the tape, not toward it. Paint all around the room in this manner.
4. Paint a second coat with the blue painter's tape still in place. Be sure that you have sufficient coverage on the ceiling so that it will look as good as the rest of the ceiling where you will use a roller.
5. Remove the tape after paint has dried, about 24 hours later. Pull the tape very slowly and at a 90-degree angle, pulling downward. If you begin to notice paint lifting from the wall, stop and use a blade to score where the tape meets the paint. Then continue pulling the tape from the walls.
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