Clean, fill and paint a textured Artex ceiling safely, using a deep-pile roller and mist coat for even coverage.
PA-01Clear and protect the roomMove furniture away from the ceiling area, or gather it in the middle of the room and cover it. Lay dust sheets over the whole floor and skirting, taped down at the edges so they don't slip. Take bulbs out of light fittings where you can reach safely, or bag and tape over fittings you can't remove.
PA-02Check the ceiling before you touch itLook over the whole ceiling for loose texture, cracks, or damp staining. Textured coatings applied before 2000 may contain asbestos, so never sand, scrape or wire-brush the surface. Clean off cobwebs and dust with a soft dry brush or a barely damp cloth instead.
PA-03Fill cracks and small holesPress flexible ceiling filler into any cracks or holes using a filling knife. Smooth it level with the knife rather than sanding, so you don't disturb the surrounding texture. Leave it to dry fully before painting over it — check the tub for drying time, usually a few hours.
PA-04Mask off edges and fittingsRun masking tape along the join between the wall and ceiling, and around light fittings, extractor covers or coving. This gives you crisp cut-in lines and stops paint creeping onto sockets or switches below.
PA-05Mix and apply a mist coatThin matt emulsion with about 10-20% water for the first coat — this is a mist coat, and it helps later coats cover evenly, especially over filled patches. Roll it on with a deep-pile roller so it reaches right into the texture, then cut in around the edges with a brush. Leave to dry fully before the next coat, usually 2-4 hours.
PA-06Apply the first full coatOnce the mist coat is dry, roll on full-strength matt emulsion with the same deep-pile roller. Work in one section at a time and keep a wet edge so you don't get visible overlap lines. Cut in the edges of each section with a brush before rolling the middle.
PA-07Apply a second coatLet the first full coat dry completely — check the tin, usually 2-4 hours. Apply a second coat the same way for even, solid coverage. Check the ceiling under different light once dry, as textured surfaces can show patchy coverage more easily than flat ones.
PA-08Remove tape and clean toolsPeel off the masking tape while the paint is still slightly tacky, pulling it away at a 45° angle for a clean line. Wash rollers and brushes straight away in water, or wrap them tightly in cling film if you're painting again tomorrow. Refit bulbs and light fittings once the ceiling is completely dry.
PA-09Tidy up and move furniture backLift dust sheets carefully so you don't drop filler dust or paint drips onto the floor as you fold them. Take empty paint tins and used filler tubs to a council recycling point or household waste site — don't pour paint down a drain. Wait until the ceiling is fully cured, usually around 24 hours, before moving furniture back.
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