Say goodbye to drab or patchy ceiling paint
Unfortunately, ceilings with discoloration or slight damage can make a room look less aesthetically pleasing. But learning how to touch up ceiling paint can help restore your ceiling and the surrounding room to its former glory. If you have a free weekend and a DIY spirit, try following this step-by-step guide for a flawless touch-up paint job.
For the paint touch-up to look its best, you ideally want to use the same type of paint originally used. There are hundreds of shades available in each color, but many factors make it tricky to buy an exact color match, including the brand and mixing job. If you don’t have the original paint or know the exact color shade, you may be better off painting your ceiling again. Otherwise, the touch-up areas won't blend in seamlessly with the previous paint job.
If you have the original paint cans, ensure you stir them well before applying the paint. When paint sits, ingredients can settle on the bottom, and if they aren't stirred properly, it can affect the color of the paint. You should also double-check that the paint hasn’t expired—some telltale signs include a rancid smell, chunky paint, separated layers, and mold or mildew growth.
Although you may not use a ton of paint for a touch-up job, you want to prevent any damage to furniture and surfaces in the room. Remove lightweight furniture from the room and move large furniture pieces away from the splash zone. Place a drop cloth over any items left in the center of the room and on the floor to protect your floor from paint stains.
If you’re completing a touch-up job along the perimeter of the ceiling, tape it off with painter's tape to avoid unnecessary paint accidents on your walls.
Before picking up a paint tool, take the time to assess any ceiling damage that requires repairing, such as peeled paint, cracks, holes, or other imperfections. To remove peeled paint, scrape it off using a putty knife and then rub the area gently with coarse to fine #40 to #120 grit sandpaper. Brush away any dust with a damp cloth for best results.
For ceiling cracks and holes, you can fill these areas with caulk. You may need to apply caulk on areas where peeled paint was removed to ensure a clean finish. Apply the caulk to the areas and let it dry. Sand the areas down and apply a thin coat of primer over the patch job.
Applying primer over empty patches is essential to prevent it from creating a dull spot. Any touch-up areas will benefit from primer, especially if there are marks or stains on your ceiling.
Primer is a base coat that will help the paint better adhere to your ceiling, delivering the smooth finish you need. All you need is a thin layer of primer, which you can apply with a roller brush to ensure an even, consistent layer.
To ensure continuity in the paint job, you want to practice the same stroke method and roller brush type originally used. This practice creates a seamless blend so the touched-up areas won't stand out among the other ceiling sections.
With touch-ups, less paint is best. After dipping your paint roller in the paint, wipe off any excess to ensure that you only apply a thin layer to the ceiling. Roll the brush in the center of the area and work outward for the best blend. If you’re touching up a very small area, use a paintbrush to apply thin, even strokes in the direction of the existing paint.
Allow the paint to dry for a smooth finish. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for exact dry times, but ceiling paint typically takes four hours to dry. However, if you’re painting popcorn ceilings or other textured surfaces, you’ll likely need to wait eight to 12 hours to let it dry and cure fully.
After you’ve waited the recommended amount of time for your ceiling paint to dry, take a closer look at your handiwork before putting the supplies away. Inspect the areas to determine whether they need any further touch-ups. For post-paint touch-ups, use a small paintbrush rather than a roller to add extra paint. This practice avoids applying too many paint coats to the area.
Touching up ceiling paint is a simple task that can save you money compared to hiring a professional. The cost of hiring a professional painter is $20 to $50 per hour or $1 to $2.50 per square foot. While enlisting the help of a professional painter may increase the project budget, they will ensure a color match for your ceiling, plus provide high-quality, long-lasting results. Consider hiring a local interior painter to give your ceiling the touch-up job it needs.
It costs about $50 to $100 to paint a ceiling, depending on the type of paint you buy and whether you already have painting supplies. Of course, you should consider your time as well—if you don’t want to spend a few hours doing the work yourself, it may be worth hiring a professional painter.
When you’re considering hiring a painter, a quote should include the following items:
Overall price
Price for each area (e.g., living room, master bedroom) or item (e.g., trim, doors)
Cost of labor
Cost of materials
Description of prep
Description of repairs to be made
Description and details of paint application (number of coats, brand and type of paint, etc.)
You may need to provide your own paint, depending on the agreement you make with the painter. Some painters prefer that you buy the paint and they supply the labor. However, some professional painters get a better price on paint and can pass that savings along to you even after accounting for labor costs.
The average cost to paint a ceiling ranges from $3 to $8.50 per square foot, which is about $1 to $2.50 more per square foot than the cost to paint the walls. Rooms with high ceilings require working from a ladder or scaffolding and often include trim or detail work, which adds to the final price.
Professional painters charge $20 to $50 per hour, on average. Hourly rate cost factors include the complexity of the paint job, the type of paint, the height of the walls and ceiling, and the type of prep and repairs needed. For example, removing wallpaper costs an additional $3 per square foot because it can be very time consuming and labor intensive. Your location will also impact the hour rate.
To estimate the cost to paint interior walls, multiply the square footage by the average price range to paint interior walls, which is $2 to $6 per square foot. For example, a 12-by-12-foot room with 8-foot tall walls is 384 square feet, meaning that the cost to paint the room will range from $768 to $2,304. Painting the ceiling and any trim will add to the overall cost, as will any repairs.
