Paint the walls with acrylic paints
Acrylic paints for walls and ceilings are increasingly being used in residential finishes. They continue to grow in popularity due to their excellent technical characteristics and ease of application. Water-based acrylic compounds have changed the idea of wall decoration for the better, making the process fast and the result excellent.
Environmentally friendly material
When doing a renovation, you want to be sure that the compounds used to cover walls and ceilings are safe. Acrylic water emulsion and water-dispersion paint fully meet this requirement, they are used even when finishing children’s rooms.
Both groups of materials are manufactured with the addition of different components, resulting in solutions adapted to any environment, but they are all suitable for painting interior surfaces, as they do not contain toxins and do not have a pungent chemical odor.
Water-based emulsions contain white spirits as an organic solvent; water-based dispersions are diluted exclusively with water.
The first has a higher hiding power (200 ml per 1 m2 / 10 ft2) and is only used for interior decoration, while the latter, with lower hiding power (up to 400 ml per 1 m2 / 10 ft2), have increased resistance to abrasion and excellent water repellency, and are therefore used for facade works.
How to choose the right composition?
To paint the ceiling acrylic paint provided the surface quality and durability of the decorative coating, when buying the material, it is important to consider the conditions of the room:
- ceiling or walls in a warm and dry bedroom or children’s room can safely paint an ordinary acrylic water emulsion or dispersion; both compositions dry quickly (the first – 2 hours, the second – 30 minutes), do not smell, allow the surface to “breathe”;
- walls and ceilings in the kitchen or bathroom need a washable and resistant to abrasion coating, it can be obtained by using acrylic latex paint (emulsion or dispersion), high water-repellent
- properties and vapor permeability made this material ideal for finishing rooms with high humidity;
- latex paint and suitable for the walls in the hallway (they also have to wash more often than others), but the ceiling there you can paint any acrylic composition water-based.
Water-based acrylic paints for ceilings and walls are sold in finished form and have a wide range of colors. If your design idea requires a special shade, you can always buy a white base and tint (or several).
Water-dispersion compositions are usually presented as a white paste; they are diluted with water according to the instructions on the label (usually 5-10% water of the total volume) and tinted independently.
The degree of initial whiteness is an indicator of the quality of the dye. The best are in the “superwhite” category, followed in descending order by “white” and “milk”. The first category has the highest hiding power and color saturation.
Gloss or Matte?
Glossy surface or matte effect – it is, of course, a matter of taste and a matter of matching the project of the future interior, but both options have their advantages and disadvantages.
For example, a glossy ceiling will look presentable if, before painting, its surface was leveled to an ideal condition; otherwise, the coating will emphasize every flaw, even the slightest roughness.
The walls in the kitchen or bathroom, painted with glossy paint, will hide water splashes and drips and will be more amenable to wet cleaning.
Matte coating well masks the imperfections of painted surfaces and visually expands the space in the room, but it shows the dirt is much more clearly visible, and wash it a little harder.
Gloss shines, reflecting light, and matte walls and ceilings look very restrained.
Preparing to paint
Before you paint the ceiling with acrylic paint or update the coating of the walls, you need to take care of the condition of the surfaces; the paint will not hold if they are not properly prepared.
The first step is cleaning
When the surface is new, plastered, and level, you will only have to clean it of dust. If the ceiling or walls have been wallpapered, they need to be removed. Usually, you can simply moisten the old material copiously and scrape it off with a spatula or scraper.
Initially painted surface is better to release a layer of paint, especially if it had time to crack and peel in some places.
The hardest part to remove is the oil-based residue; you have to use a drill with a special attachment (a wire brush or brick drill bit), a construction hair dryer, or a flush (a remover for removing old paint).
For those puzzled by the question of how to remove acrylic paint, there is good news: if the coating is even, smooth, and holds up well, there is no need to remove it before secondary painting (just wash with soap). Otherwise, it will require some effort and work with an iron brush and sandpaper. Protective gloves and goggles will come in handy.
The second step is leveling.
When there are significant potholes, chips, cracks, and other defects on the walls and ceiling, the surface has to be leveled using a starter putty, and then – the finishing putty.
First fill the deep flaws, wait for drying and wipe clean with an emery cloth; wipe off the dust. The second formulation finally levels the surface, dry and sand with sandpaper with a fine grain; again remove all dust.
The third stage – is priming.
Before you paint the walls with acrylic paint or apply it to the ceiling, be sure to put one or two layers of primer. It is great if this product includes antiseptics; then protection against mold and other harmful microorganisms will be ensured. The main purpose is to increase the adhesion (adhesion) of the paint material to the surface. The solution is applied with a paint roller or a wide flat brush.
Tinting the walls
Painting the walls with acrylic paint – a task that does not require thorough vocational training. The most basic tools are required:
- brushes,
- paint roller,
- paint tray,
- masking tape.
If you have a paint gun, you can also use it. Purchasing this device specifically for interior work is not necessary.
Duct tape covers baseboards, door jambs, soffits, and joints with the ceiling. A ready-to-use water-based emulsion or diluted acrylic dispersion is mixed thoroughly with a construction mixer or drill with an appropriate nozzle.
The paint is poured into the tray and painted with a brush in all the “awkward” places: corners, joints, areas behind pipes, around switches, and outlets.
The roller coat is soaked in paint, remove the excess and begin painting from the top or middle, moving vertically and down alternately or w-shaped
Once the first coat is completely dry, you can apply a second coat. This is usually enough to achieve an even tone.
Painting ceilings
Tools will be required the same, but in how to paint the ceiling with acrylic paint, there is a secret. When all the hard-to-reach places are painted with a brush, proceed to work with a roller, and here we need to take into account the following: no matter how many layers of material have been applied to the ceiling, the last must be performed, rolling the roller perpendicular to the wall with a window opening, that is, in the same direction as the light entering the room.
For example, when painting in two layers, the first is applied parallel to the wall with the window, and the second vice versa. Using this technique, it is possible to avoid the appearance of dark spots and streaks after the coating has dried.
Painting ceilings or walls with acrylic paint with a roller or paint sprayer is a great alternative to finishing with wallpaper, wall panels or tile. The coating of this environmentally friendly and affordable material retains color brightness for a long time, even when exposed to sunlight and can last up to 20 years.
Additional Questions
Can I paint the wall with acrylic paint?
Indeed, you have the freedom to use acrylic paint on your walls, whether it’s an indoor or outdoor project. Typically, when painting inside, you might choose between distemper, acrylic, or conventional acrylic paint. A vital fact to remember is that a primer isn’t required if you’re using distemper paint. I am speaking from years of painting experience, and you can have faith in my expertise.
Do you use acrylic paint for ceilings?
When it comes to painting ceilings, it’s generally advisable to use a flat, matte acrylic paint. The rationale behind this choice is simple: such paint does not reflect light and thus doesn’t distract attention from the walls or other elements of the room’s decor. Regarding durability, the ceiling doesn’t get much traffic or wear and tear, so a high-gloss, resistant paint isn’t essential. I can say this from years of experience in this field, and numerous projects I’ve completed.
What is the best way to paint between the wall and ceiling?
Should I use acrylic or latex for ceiling?
If you’re contemplating between acrylic and latex for a ceiling paint job, consider this: latex paint is an excellent choice for indoor projects like walls and ceilings, whereas acrylic paint tends to perform better for exterior projects and bathrooms. I’ve seen these results firsthand throughout my years in the painting industry. It never hurts to seek professional advice specific to your project too.
