How to Stain Sandblasted Ceilings

Smooth rough areas on the ceiling using a rotary sander with a fine-grit sandpaper over the entire ceiling surface.

Wipe the ceiling with a damp rag to remove dirt or dust left from the sandblasting and sanding process. Inspect the surface to determine if you want to apply a wood filler to smooth and fill in pores that collect dust.

Stir the wood filler to make it smooth. Mix 3 parts of wood paste filler with 2 parts oil-based stain and stir well to tint the filler to match the color of the stain you are applying.

Apply the filler with a stiff paintbrush with short bristles by brushing it with the grain and across the grain to fill in all surfaces. Let the filler dry for about 30 minutes. Wipe the wood with a nylon rag to remove excess filler and smooth the surface. Let the filler dry a minimum of 24 hours.

Apply stain to an area that is not readily seen to verify the color is correct. Let it dry for about two hours because it might lighten as it dries.

Stain the ceiling with the desired color using a 4-inch-wide paintbrush using long, even strokes. Avoid putting too much stain on the paintbrush at one time to prevent heavy areas of stain or drip markings. Stain the wood without overlapping strokes to prevent an uneven application.

Dry the ceiling for 24 to 48 hours to see the true color of the stain. Apply a second coating of stain for a darker color.