How to Paint High Walls and Ceilings

Prep your project space by protecting the floor and any furniture in the room from spills or splatters. Remove all furniture to another area or cover it with drop cloths or tarps. Cover the floor with drop cloths or tarps and fasten them down using painter’s tape. Remove any wall hangings and decorations. Temporarily take down any ceiling fans and light fixtures.

Safety Alert!

Before you remove any electrical fixtures, turn off power to the room by turning off the breaker for that circuit at the main electrical panel. Mark the switch with a warning tag (a simple piece of tape will do) to make sure no one flips it back on while you're working. Remove the light bulbs before you remove the fixture. Bring in portable work lighting if needed to help you see properly.

Once everything is cleared from the room or masked, wash the walls and ceiling using clean cloths, mild detergent and warm water. Let the walls and ceiling dry for at least one hour before priming and painting.

Start with the ceiling first. Climb on to your ladder or scaffold with your supplies and begin by priming first with True Value® EasyCare® Ultra Premium Interior Primer/Sealer. Mask the perimeter of the ceiling with painter's tape where it meets the walls. It's also helpful to "cut in," or outline the edge of your ceiling with a small, angled paintbrush before priming/painting the whole ceiling. Use an extension pole and roller to help you extend your painting reach. After the primer has dried, paint with True Value® EasyCare® Ultra Premium Ceiling Paint in the color of your choice.

Dip the roller in paint, in the deep section of the tray. Roll it back and forth in the shallow end to get rid of excess paint. When the roller is evenly covered, begin rolling out 6-ft. square sections on the ceiling. Use a series of overlapping "W" strokes from right to left, then back from left to right using horizontal strokes. Make sure to "feather" the edges of the squares, using less pressure when you get to the edges. This prevents creating a line when the paint overlaps from another square. Keep working with the 6-ft. squares until the entire ceiling is painted. The ceiling should dry in a few hours.

Prime and paint the walls. Apply a coat of EasyCare® Ultra Premium Interior Primer/Sealer before you paint so the paint adheres better and lasts longer. Additionally, priming is necessary if your walls are stained, or if you wish to use light-colored paint over dark walls, or when you’re painting a bright color, such as yellow or red. 

Apply primer with a roller and extension pole. Start at the top of the wall by painting strokes in a “W” shape then fill in that “W” with paint. The painted block should be around 2’ X 4’ in size. Once you fill in the block paint another “W” below the block and fill it in. Continue this process down the wall, coming down from your ladder or scaffold to paint the bottom section of the wall while standing on the floor.

Safety Alert!

Open windows to make sure you’re painting in a well-ventilated area. Use a box fan placed in windows or doorways to help with ventilation.

Helpful Tips

One gallon of paint usually covers 300 to 400 square feet. Use our Paint Calculator for the exact amount of paint you need. Don’t forget to double your measurements for two coats.

Slide the roller cover a little bit off the frame to get closer to doors, ceilings and windows.

Touch up any missed spots when the paint is still wet to ensure an even sheen. Be sure to roll in the same direction you painted originally.

Before you begin painting a new wall, make sure you have enough paint left in the can to finish the entire wall. The same paint color can vary slightly from one can to another, so try not to use two different cans on one wall. If you are using more than one gallon of paint, it is recommended that you intermix the gallons.

If necessary, apply a second coat of paint using the same technique as the first. Allow the first coat to dry for four hours before applying a second coat.

Pick up your drop cloths or tarps and close up your paint cans. Dispose of used paint or sealant cans appropriately. Cleaning paintbrushes and other tools can be made easy with warm water and soapy water. Thoroughly rinse your roller covers and brushes in water (if you used latex paint) or paint thinner (for oil-based paint) until the solvent runs clear, then place them in a brush/roller spinner, if you have one, to remove excess liquid. Store in their protective sleeves or hang them on nails or hooks. Pick up drop cloths carefully, making sure not to spread around any paint that may have gotten on them. Next, remove painter's tape at a 45-degree angle to avoid removing any fresh paint. Remember that the longer it stays on, the harder it is to remove.

Great job! Your high walls and ceilings have been updated. Enjoy the freshly painted majesty of your rooms.