Can You Paint Over a Glazed Ceiling?

Cleaning

• Surface stains on your glazed ceiling can affect the end result. This is especially the case for greasy spots that make it difficult for paint to adhere. Wash off any obvious spots on the glazed surface with a mild soap, such as dish soap, and warm water. Use a soft sponge to scrub the spots and stains.

Sanding

• Lightly buffing the glazed surface with a piece of fine-grade sandpaper, such as 220-grit, will help remove the slick surface that resists new paint. This technique works best on flat ceilings, since textured ceilings tend to retain bits of glaze in the dimples and depressions. Sand the entire ceiling lightly to remove just the surface sheen, leaving a dull surface. Remove any fine dust particles with damp rags or tack cloths. These small particles can leave your ceiling looking lumpy and uneven.

Priming

• Priming helps hide the color of the glaze and makes the paint adhere to the existing surface. Use a high-adhesion primer to ensure the best possible result. The primer will help your new latex or acrylic paint bond to the underlying coat and will also help protect the ceiling surface from humidity, an important consideration in kitchens and bathrooms.

Painting

• Once you buff down the glaze sheen and prime your ceiling, you can apply your new paint in a standard fashion. A satin or semi-gloss latex or acrylic paint will help hide minor imperfections better than a flat paint. Use a fine-nap roller to apply thin coats of paint. Applying two or three thin coats of paint provides a more even and attractive surface on ceilings than applying just one thick coat of paint. Apply each coat using strokes that go in the opposite direction from the strokes you used in applying the prior coat. This will help reduce the appearance of stroke and roller marks.