How to Get Crisp Paint Lines on the Ceiling

Paintbrush Method

• 1

  Put painter’s tape on the edges of the walls that meet the ceiling. Use small lengths of painter’s tape at a time to form straight and even lines. Pull the tape taut while applying it so it is straight. Press the tape down while applying it to remove trapped air pockets.

• 2

  Pour the desired shade of paint for the ceiling into a handheld plastic bucket. Submerge the angled brush in the paint to cover one-third of the bristle length and tap off excess paint on the side of the bucket.

• 3

  Sweep the brush across the ceiling at the wall joint. Move your hand back and forth to coat the ceiling surface from the wall joint to about 4 inches inward. A paint roller will cover the remaining ceiling surface.

• 4

  Submerge the angled brush in the paint and continue to paint the wall joints until you work your way around the room and reach the starting point. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.

• 5

  Remove the painter’s tape when the paint dries. Use a roller to cover the remaining ceiling surface with paint. To remove splatter, paint the walls of the room after the ceiling dries. Put the tape on the edges of the ceiling before you begin painting the walls.

Edging Tool Method

• 6

  Put painter’s tape along the edge of the ceiling where it meets the wall. Pull the tape taut and press it down to remove trapped air bubbles.

• 7

  Pour the desired shade of wall paint in a small bucket. Submerge the edging tool’s pad in paint and dab it lightly on a piece of scrap cardboard to remove excess. Avoid getting paint on the edging tool’s rollers. These rollers help guide the edger in a straight line, thereby creating crisp edges.

• 8

  Position the tip of the edging tool on a corner of the wall against the ceiling. Ensure its wheels just touch the ceiling joint. Move it slowly so it forms a straight line over the wall. Avoid pressing it too hard; doing so can cause excess paint from the pad to drip down on the wall.

• 9

  Reload the edging tool when it runs out of paint until you form a neat line along the edge of the ceiling. Let the paint dry thoroughly before removing the painter’s tape from the ceiling.