Do you need to seal a ceiling before painting it?

Answer 1

It all depends on the ceiling. If it is newly installed sheetrock than it must be primed prior to painting. You should also prime before painting over any discolored or an extremely dark colored ceiling especially if you plan on painting a light or neutral color.

Answer 2

Painting a dark wall with lighter paint, yes and no, one coat primer one coat paint,

or two coats paint if it is valspar top line. if it is real dark the best way is a primer and paint and you will get less shadowing.

Answer 3

you should always prime new sheetrock before painting. some contractors will paint before priming. always prime walls, trim, ceilings before painting. always prime ever when you repaint walls ceilings. especially when repainting wood trim

Answer 4

Primer is needed when there is no existing paint is present. If new drywall

is present then a drywall primer is applied, a paint primer then paint.

Read the instructions on what ever paint you buy. Most new paints say that you don't need to prime over the old paint and they cover better then they use to.

So you follow the instructions on the new paint, it will either recommend priming the walls or it won't. But if you don't use a primer over old paint, you should buy a paint cleaner

that preps the wall for the new paint. This will give the old paint a good surface so the new paint adheres well to it and down the road you don't get bubbling or peeling.

Answer 5

If the ceiling is newly installed, has recently been repaired, is water stained, is a "textured" ceiling or a colour that will require several coats to cover, the answer is YES. In the case of water stain be sure to use a shellac based primer such as Kilz (Kilz2 is not as good).

If you are painting over a flat, white (or pale coloured), old surface that just needs a "brightening up" then NO.

Answer 6

It depends. If you are painting over a deeper color or a really bright one you will get much better coverage in fewer coats with you new paint if you primer first.

Answer 7

Priming the wall is just to seal it so the paint doesn't soak in and dries more evenly. You may have to put two coats of paint on depending on the quality of the paint you are using.