Painting Walls With Ceiling Paint
If you’re considering painting the interior of your home, there are many factors to consider before making a decision.
One of those considerations involves choosing between wall paint and ceiling paint. Both types of paints offer different benefits, but both are used for similar purposes. While most people think of wall paint as being exclusively used for the exterior of a house, ceiling paint can actually be used on the interior too.
This article explains the difference between ceiling paint and wall paint as well as what each type of paint does and why one might be better suited for certain situations.
Ceiling Paint Vs. Wall Paint
Wall paint is designed to cover surfaces like drywall, plaster, wood, brick, concrete, steel, tile, etc., whereas ceiling paint is meant to coat ceilings. Wall paint is typically thicker and more durable than ceiling paint, although there are exceptions to the rule.
For example, some brands of wall paints are thinner than others, allowing you to apply multiple coats without having to worry about running out of paint.
When deciding whether to use wall or ceiling paint, keep in mind that you’ll want to make sure that the surface you choose is compatible with the paint. You don’t necessarily want to put a thick layer of paint over something like drywall because it won’t adhere well.
Likewise, you wouldn’t want to use thin wall paint on a ceiling, because it could crack. As such, you’ll want to take into account the thickness of the paint you intend to use, as well as the material it’s intended to cover.
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What Are The Different Finishes For Ceiling Paint?
Flat Paint
Flat ceiling paint is the lowest-maintenance type of finish because it doesn’t require much prep work. You don’t need to sand anything down, just wipe off dust and dirt with a rag or sponge. It also doesn’t require primer.
And since it’s matte, there are no brush strokes or drips to worry about. It’s also great because it hides small defects like scratches and dings in the ceiling.
Flat white ceiling paint is the easiest finish to apply. You just roll out the white paint onto the wall and let it dry. It takes about three coats to cover the whole surface. If you want to use a roller, start with a large size and work down to smaller sizes. We used one gallon of paint for each coat.
After the paint dries completely, scrape off any excess and buff away any dust particles. Use a soft brush to clean up any small blemishes. Then, use a spray bottle filled with water to wipe away any remaining streaks. Let the room air dry overnight.
Eggshell Paint
Eggshell is one of the most versatile finishes out there. You can use it over almost any surface, including concrete, brick, wood, stucco, plaster, drywall, metal, glass, tile, etc. But it’s especially great for ceilings because it has a soft glow without being shiny.
Plus, it looks really good with light fixtures, lighting, and trim. And since it doesn’t show fingerprints nearly as well as a flat finish, it makes cleaning up a breeze.
Best Case Scenarios For Ceiling Paint On Walls
Ceiling paint is great for hiding any type of stain and marks on walls. But it can also help you achieve a cleaner, neater, and more stylish look in rooms like bathrooms, kitchens, and walkways.
Here are some scenarios where ceiling paint could make sense:
• In a bathroom, ceiling paint can cover up grime and scratches around mirrors and sinks.
• In a kitchen, ceiling paint can protect counters from spills and drips.
• In a hallway, ceiling paint can conceal dirty floors and marks on walls.
• In a stairway, ceiling paint can mask scuffs and dents along the railing.
Ceiling paint can even be used in rooms where messes are inevitable. If you plan to do construction or renovations, consider using ceiling paint to keep areas clean during the process. Or, if you want to give a room a facelift without spending too much money, highly durable ceiling paint can provide a quick fix.
Can Ceiling Paint Be Used As A Primer Or Undercoat On Walls?
Ceiling paint is one of those products you don’t think about much until it’s too late. If you’ve ever had to repair a hole in your wall, you know how quickly it happens. In fact, holes are a common occurrence in most homes; sometimes they’re just small enough to ignore. But when they become larger, you’ll want to take action fast.
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While there are many different paint types out there, none of them are really designed to do what actual ceiling paint does. This product fills in cracks, repairs holes, and even covers up damage like scratches and dents. You can use it to fill in nail pops, too.
A coat of Ceiling paint can be used as a primer and undercoat for the wallboard. In fact, This is a single type of paint designed to act like a primer and provide a smooth surface for painting over.
The ceiling paint finish works best as a base coat because it provides a smooth, even surface. If you use a different product as a primer, you could end up with a patchy appearance.
The major advantage of using ceiling paint coats as a primer is that it is easier to apply and less messy than traditional primers. You don’t need to sand down rough spots and you won’t have to worry about getting dust in your eyes or nose.
Can You Mix Wall And Ceiling Paint?
Mixing colors for ceiling paint with colors of wall paint isn’t something you see every day. But it does happen, and it’s not always because someone wants to create a unique ceiling color.
Sometimes, people want to use the same type of paint on both walls and ceilings. If that happens, there’s no problem mixing the two together.
In fact, some brands even recommend doing this. However, mixing ceiling paint with wall paint isn’t something you see every day. And it’s not something you should do without knowing what you’re getting yourself into.
There are several reasons why mixing ceiling paint with wall paint doesn’t work. First off, there’s the viscosity issue. Several wall paint options are much thicker than ceiling paint. So, if you try to add too much of the thinner ceiling paint to the wall paint, you’ll end up having problems.
Plus, the different drying times of the two paints won’t allow the mixture to cure properly. Lastly, combining the two paints creates a lot of extra work. Because of this, most experts say you shouldn’t mix thicker ceiling paint with wall paint unless you know exactly how much of each paint you need.
Final Thoughts On Painting Walls Using Ceiling Paint
If you’re looking to save money while painting your home, ordinary ceiling paint could be a good option. You’ll want to make sure you’ve got enough paint on hand, though, since there are no mixing instructions included.
If you’re planning on doing this yourself, it’s best to start with a small project like a bathroom or kitchen.
The only thing to keep in mind when using different options for ceiling paint as a typical wall paint is that the absence of color variety makes this an easy “first choice.”
However, you don’t want to go too crazy with the amount of paint used because this can cause issues with the smooth texture and coverage of the paint.
If you do choose to use ceiling paint, make sure to pay attention to how it looks once dry. If there are any areas where the layer of ceiling paint doesn’t cover completely, those spots will show up as bare patches. You can also hire paint experts if you are looking for a high-quality job with wall paint.