Avoid unwanted attention to a nasty stained ceiling in a room by concealing the eyesore with a painting product used by the pros. A stain blocker can conceal just about any kind of stain applied before repainting the ceiling by using an oil base sealer and primer like KILZ. It will block the stain, so it disappears. Apply the blocker and primer first, followed by the finished coat of ceiling paint. Plan to paint the entire ceiling, not just the stained area, for a fresh new appearance.
To block the stain, prime and paint a stained 15-by-20-foot ceiling, a painting contractor will charge $615, which includes the labor and material. You can buy a stain blocker, primer, and paint for $100, do it yourself, and save 84 percent. Like any painting project you’ll probably spend a considerable time preparing the room before applying the blocker, primer, and paint.
Begin by removing most of the furniture and protecting the floor with drop cloths. You’ll need a paint brush to outline the joint at the wall and ceiling, and a paint pan and roller with an extension handle to apply the paint on the ceiling. You’ll probably also need a step ladder. Before you begin, get rid of any dust, especially in the corners, and wash the ceiling and molding with a household cleaner if it’s dirty.
To make ceiling painting near goofproof, and to avoid missed spots when applying white paint over an already-white ceiling, try a ceiling paint with color-changing technology that goes on pink (Glidden) or violet (Dutch Boy) and dries to a white finish. Normally, it’s difficult to see starting and stopping points on the surface, and you often miss some spots that must be recoated. By using these products, you will guarantee that you won’t have any glaring mistakes.
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Pro Cost—DIY Cost—Pro time—DIY Time—DIY Savings—Percent Saved
$615—$100—3.6—6.0—$515—84 percent
