10 TIPS FOR PAINTING A CEILING WITH A POLE

The ceiling of your house looks gray and you have decided to give it back the whiteness it deserves? Wondering if using a pole could make your job easier? The answer is definitely yes! But before getting started, it is important to prepare well. To help you in this achievement, Trucmania provides you with 10 tips for brilliantly succeeding in painting a ceiling … with a pole!

THE ADVANTAGES OF THE POLE FOR PAINTING A CEILING

Unlike the classic technique which consists of going up and down a stepladder to paint your ceiling, opting for the telescopic handle allows you to considerably relieve the quadriceps.

In addition to reducing muscle and joint pain, working on the ground minimizes the risk of falling. This also avoids the tedious moving of the stepladder as you progress.

Another advantage is that pole application is particularly useful when the ceiling height is high. It makes it possible to cover larger areas, and thus reduce the duration of the work.

1. TAKE SOME PRECAUTIONS BEFORE CHOOSING THE POLE

Although using a pole offers considerable advantages, it is nonetheless free of disadvantages. This large stake can be frightening at first and beginners will wonder if they will be able to tame the beast.

Certainly, the height of the handle can make the movement less controlled, and less precise than with a roller, and some training will be necessary before feeling perfectly comfortable. If the execution leaves something to be desired, you risk getting gaps or demarcations. This is why you will need to take care and regularly check your progress.

But rest assured, with the right method, painting with a pole is within everyone’s reach.

2. STUDY YOUR CEILING CAREFULLY

First of all, it is advisable to scrupulously analyze the ceiling to ensure quality work:

Perhaps some dirt stains the surface? Arm your arm with a soapy sponge to remove stubborn stains and dust.
Make sure the surface is smooth and even, without rough edges, cracks, or holes. If you detect any, the ideal is to fill them with a filler.
Depending on the condition of your ceiling, determine which underlay will be necessary. Also, plan the number of layers required and take the measurements precisely. This will allow you to calculate the amount of paint you will need.

3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAINTING EQUIPMENT

To successfully paint your ceiling with a pole, the choice of material is decisive.

WHICH PAINT TO CHOOSE?

Choose quality paint. A little more expensive to purchase, it is nevertheless easier to apply and offers better coverage.

Opt for a special ceiling paint, often acrylic type, with a matte finish. Water-based and less olfactory, you will generally need two coats for a perfect finish.

THE CHOICE OF PERCH

Currently, the poles available on the market are designed to make the task easier for amateur and professional painters. Favor those made of aluminum. Thanks to their light structure, your arms will thank you!

Choose a telescopic handle with anti-rotation retaining clips. Attaching the roller is child’s play and no more accidental releases.

ADOPT THE RIGHT ROLLER

We advise you to buy a roller of the same brand as the pole. This will facilitate compatibility and use.

The choice will also depend on the surface of your ceiling, that is to say, smooth or irregular.

For small rooms or when painting is not easy, choose a roller of short length, 180 mm should be perfect. For larger parts and when the movement is assured, you can turn more towards rollers of 200 or 250 mm in length. In all cases, choose a professional quality roller.

For a smooth ceiling, opt for fibers 10 to 12 mm thick, in woven polyamide. The application of the paint will be easier and the coverage better. It also presents less risk of hair depositing on the ceiling compared to a low-cost roller.

THE REST OF THE NECESSARY MATERIALS

After the pole, the roller, and the paint, you will still need to arm yourself with a little equipment:

a refinishing brush for the corners;
A 110 mm mini roller of the same brand and the same pile thickness as your paint roller;
masking tape;
a protective tarpaulin and fixing tape;
a paint bin (also called a paint truck);
of the underlay;
if necessary, a putty gun to fill holes and cracks;
a stirrer and protective clothing.

4. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME FOR YOUR PAINTING WORK

When possible, it is wise to postpone your painting work outside of the hot season, because in the event of high heat, the drying risks going faster than the painter: all conditions conducive to the appearance of joints unwanted.

5. PREPARE THE SITE CONSCIENTIOUSLY

We’re not going to lie, preparing the room before painting is the annoying step. Let’s take things on the bright side and see it as an investment in time and energy that will be recouped when it comes time to paint.

Here’s how to properly prepare your site :

Remove as much furniture as possible: this will allow better circulation in the room and avoid getting your feet and brushes tangled;
Cover the ground with a tightly stretched protective tarpaulin secured with adhesive tape;
Attach the masking tape to the walls, at the edge of the ceiling over its entire perimeter;
Prepare the pole and correctly adjust the height to optimize working comfort;
Mix the paint properly using the stirrer;
Lightly moisten brushes and rollers before use: this will prevent the bristles from absorbing excess paint and will facilitate application;
Once all these steps have been completed, all that remains is to put on your best suit.

6. TREAT YOUR CEILING WITH AN UNDERCOAT

It is tempting to skip the underlay: we imagine saving time and money. In reality, this is not the case. The underlay is an essential step in more than one way.

It prepares the surface, promotes adhesion of the paint, prevents it from crumbling, and will smooth out irregularities for better uniformity. Applying the paint will be easier and faster. You will also save paint, and all this for an optimal final result.

7. ADOPT THE CORRECT TECHNIQUE FOR POLE PAINTING

After good preparation, painting the ceiling does not present any major difficulty. You just need to adopt the right technique and do it step by step:

Start by clearing the corners with a brush. Paint the entire perimeter if the room is less than 12 m². For larger pieces, avoid any imperfections by clearing the corners as you progress.
This step consists of making a second round of the perimeter, but this time using the mini roller. This increases the clearance surface and will prevent you from hitting the wall if you approach too close.
To properly load your roller, slide it across the surface of the paint while remaining in contact with the post-formed grooves of the tray. The entire roll must be loaded sufficiently without resulting in leaks when it is taken out.
Start painting from the back of the room, facing away from the light source and moving toward it. Right-handers will start at the right corner and left-handers will start at the left corner.
Grip the telescopic handle securely and start working. The roller should slide lightly, without excessive pressure.
Be careful not to stretch too far. The idea is to cover the distance approximately twice the width of your shoulders, with your elbows always slightly bent.
Keep in mind that you should paint approximately twice the width of the roller (i.e. approximately 40 cm) before reloading.
Paint line by line, overlapping them by about 5 cm. When the paint is qualitative, there is no need to cross.

8. ENSURE AN ERGONOMIC POSITION

The secret to successfully painting a ceiling with a pole is to adopt the right posture. An ergonomic working position will protect you from injuries and will guarantee impeccable results.

When painting, your shoulders should be parallel to the wall in front of you.
Place your feet shoulder-width apart to promote good stability.
When working, your movements from right to left should be straight. Avoid any rotational movement, because when the shoulders rotate (even slightly), the line is no longer straight and can lead to thinness and bundles.
Do not position yourself too far from the roller to protect your lower back, nor just below it at the risk of arching your back and causing pain to your neck. In addition, if you are too far below the roller, you will be entitled to projections and the goal is not to repaint your hair and muzzle.

9. APPLY A SECOND COAT FOR A FLAWLESS FINISH

Once the first coat of paint has dried, examine your ceiling. If you notice any rough edges, gently run a piece of fine-grit sandpaper (150) to dislodge them. This light sanding will also remove any deposits of fibers and hairs from the roller.

10. AVOID COMMON MISTAKES

Painting a ceiling is not innate and a mistake can quickly happen. To avoid some inconvenience and obtain a perfect result, here are some final tips

When you start painting a ceiling, make sure you are fully available for the task, because once you start work, you won’t be able to stop.
When painting near a wall, it is preferable to orient the handle of the roller away from it to avoid friction.
A common mistake is loading the paint roller too heavily. In addition to runs, excess promotes clumps and unsightly demarcations.
It sometimes happens to notice areas of deficiency. If this is observed quickly, you can rectify the situation and correct the defect. If, however, the area is far from your current location and the paint has started to dry, do not intervene any further, as you risk making the problem even worse. To avoid this inconvenience, monitor your work regularly, and if necessary, provide an additional layer.
Always paint in the direction of the light.
Wait the necessary time before applying a new layer.

DIY