What is the best way to paint the top of a wall without getting the ceiling?

Answer 1

Buy some painting tape from a DIY store, it looks like masking tape but is less adhesive (therefore doesn't take paint, wallpaper with it when removed). Put tape around the edge of the ceiling and then paint away. Remove the tape afterwards and you'll have a nice straight line.

Or...if you have a really steady hand, using a brush smooth the bristles into a point/square egde whilst painting, then move up to the egde of the wall and move along steadily.

Answer 2

Use a very small brush. I use an expensive 1" angled Purdy available at home depot. Dip the brush into a small container of paint, scrape the side of the brush that will be next to the ceiling, and very slowly pull the brush along the top of the wall about 1/4 inch away from the ceiling for the first coat. Short side of the brush should be leading the pull.

On the second coat I get a tiny bit closer, say 1/8 inch away from the ceiling, but using the same slow careful slide along the top of the wall.

Answer 3

Those edging 'rulers' give you the same problem you had before i.e. paint gets on the edger and then gets where you don't want it. The best thing is to carefully put masking tape (not the type you used but normal, paper masking tape) along the edge you don't want to paint and then paint against it. Caution: try to avoid getting paint on the masking tape because although in theory it should be harmless to do so, in practice it can cause trouble when you come to remove the tape. Also, do the decorating at once and remove the masking tape as soon as the paint is dry because masking tape that is left on a long time i.e. over a week, sticks increasingly until it leaves a sticky residue that requires removal with white spirits or the like.

Answer 4

I've learned that the best way is to run painters tape (blue) along the ceiling at the top of the wall - - I promise you'll be pleased! I painted a room yesterday with GREAT success. I always used to hit the ceiling with the roller.

Answer 5

Pro's use several different sizes and kinds of brushes, but to get around buying a cut in brush, which is shaped at an angle, just put paint on the portion away from the ceiling. Also they now sell a straight edge for painting edges.

Answer 6

Use 2 inch masking tape or painter's tape. Apply on the ceiling where the ceiling and wall meet. Paint as usual. Do not remove tape until paint is completely dry.

Answer 7

Use the paint pad. Its the red one with the wheels, home depot has them. The trick is to load it with a brush load of paint. And you might have to thin it just a bit for workability. It will get the major part done for you. Then you can true the cut in with your brush. Make sure you purchase a quality cut in brush. Take your time. By the time you messed with masking the ceiling you could have it already painted. Just glob the paint right on the middle of the pad. Its amazing how it spreads itself. Youll get the hang of it in no time.

Answer 8

Use masking tape to line the edge of the ceiling so when you paint the edge of the wall, if any gets on the tape you can remove it easy and you wouldn't have paint on ceiling.

Answer 9

You can:

A.) use painters tape (a low tack adhesive blue tape) that you can buy at any local hardware store and place that on the ceiling. Paint and tear off the paint carefully when dry.

B.) If you are a more confident painter you can cut-in using your brush carefully along the edge using a damp rag in case of minor accidents.

Answer 10

Cut in with a trimmer pad. They are in any paint section. Its a little plastic thing that holds replaceable pads and has two small wheels on one side. You dip the pad in the paint....DON'T get any on the wheels and then paint along the top of the wall.. You can also use it to paint around window and door trim and electrical outlets. I have spent the last two weekends painting my house using these things.