How to Repaint Water-Stained Spots on a Ceiling

• 1

  Wait for the stain to dry completely before repainting. This usually takes approximately 48 hours after the leak has occurred. A stain that is still wet will have a dark water ring around it. Dry the area quickly by holding a hair dryer or heat gun 8 inches away from the stain. Move the gun or dryer in a side-to-side motion until the area is dry.

• 2

  Apply a coat of primer over the stain if the ceiling is not textured. Use a paint roller to paint a single coat and allow it to dry overnight.

• 3

  Repaint your ceiling with a roller where the stain was with paint to match the surrounding area.

Textured Ceilings

• 4

  Scrape the entire stained area with a scraper or putty knife to remove the texture from the ceiling.

• 5

  Apply a coat of primer to the ceiling with a roller to cover any stains underneath. Allow the primer to dry overnight.

• 6

  Reapply texture to the ceiling with a paintbrush. Dip the paintbrush into the texture and dab it onto the affected area. Allow the texture to dry for at least 24 hours.

• 7

  Repaint the texture with a paint roller using matching paint.