Masking Walls To Spray Ceilings - Interior Painting

Thanks for checking out my latest paint video! It's taken me an undeniablly long time to get this one out, as life takes priority over youtube content. I have been looking forward to getting this tutorial put together and finished up, also excited to continue on with other new content as well!
I have seen so many people looking for advice on how to paint ceilings or which order they should paint their walls and ceilings, and I finally, finally, finished editing this video showing one of my favorite methods for painting ceilings... Spraying them after the walls are done.
There are as many ways to achieve painting results as there are ceiling paints... Many professional painters have tried several methods to get ceilings and walls painted and ultimately have to use the method that works best or most feasible for every situation. The process can change drastically from spraying (rolling or not rolling) or just brush and roll and every combination of tools or set ups imaginable. Some use shields, some use masking, some only brushes.
This is ONE of the methods I would utilize to paint ceilings and walls, especially in new construction situations. There are others, and I'm open to them and have used them (most but not all).
with the method shown in this video you can apply several coats of primer and paint if needed, with proper dry time in between. (Dry time would typically be 6-8 hours minimum with fans or ventilation to help.)
Keep in mind you should be using proper PPE (protection) when applying paints by spray or even by roller... make sure you're using respirators as needed, gloves, glasses, boots, hearing protection, etc.
If you are wondering about backrolling versus not backrolling.... do what you know you have to do to achieve the best results. Many times I backroll ceilings, many times I don't. There are deciding factors for each scenario, and adjustments to be made depending on everything.
I hope you can benefit from this tutorial and you get to utilize the method.
Comment your favorite methods and ask any questions of course...
I try to respond to all.
Happy Painting All, Thanks Again.

[@mcsmith7606]

I am a DIYer that has just started using a sprayer. I bought a 3m 3000 masker. I found it difficult to use and expensive. The blue tape leaked and at times wouldn't stick on new paint. I think your technique is far superior. You can't hang a masker on wall while moving you step stool like you did with the tape roll.. Your twisted internal tape move is golden. Best masking video yet.

[@T.fellaman]

Great detail. Best part for me was how you pulled out tape and stuck roll to wall allowing you to work with two hands. Never thought of that. Brilliant!

[@slbourdon]

Brilliant! As a diy homeowner, I learned a LOT from this video. Thank you!

[@amanfriday3141]

I thought I’d seen most things… Having watched countless You Tube videos on spraying and masking I thought I’d seen it all. Having just finished a frustrating masking job I happened across your video and it was certainly a “lightbulb moment”! Your technique of sticking the roll of delicate masking tape to the wall, as you work around the room, is brilliant. I, too, prefer to use both hands to align the tape but struggled with the weight of the roll pulling on the tape. I’ve yet to try using plain film (I’ve always used the hand-masker film) but can see how easy it is by comparison. On my last job the masking tape kept riding up and off the film, meaning I had to stop and start again - and vertical tape all the joins! When I checked your comment about the difference in cost (plain film to “masking film”) I was amazed. I’m pretty sure I’ll now limit my hand masker to paper. Thank you so much for taking the time to post this. With best wishes, Rob

[@XCPainter]

Thank you very much for the feedback. It's great to see people getting some benefit for these methods.

[@fgaryam]

I have to remove about 400 square feet of popcorn from my ceiling, so I searched for a video on masking a room for spray painting a ceiling knowing that no one would spray paint a ceiling. BUT, thanks to you I have now in my toolkit the ONE and BEST possible way to mask to spray paint a ceiling. And of course it is also a perfect fit for hanging plastic for removing popcorn ceiling. Did I mention that one of the rooms is a kitchen with sink, stove and refrigerator. I'm not even going to have to remove the fridge. Well, maybe I will. Thanks TONS. You are a genius as well as a great teacher. I love how patient you were with the delicate tape and the tips you gave on how to place it and how to verify that it was placed correctly using the super flexible blade and looking for highlights or tape above the wall height. Your method of handling tape is ingenious...both types. Then, you were super efficient and moved rapidly when taping up the film after you had your ceiling line perfectly drawn. I couldn't believe it was the same person...that you could move so fast after patiently taking your time with the delicate tape. Anyways, thanks for a great video.

[@fgaryam]

I forgot to mention, I'm going to spray paint the ceiling after removing the popcorn and patching and floating the drywall ceiling.

[@XCPainter]

Thanks for the kind feedback! That's great to hear you like the methods shown. Of course you can always adapt in other ways or completely change it up. Some guys use masking paper up there too but that's just an option. Might think about priming the ceiling after scraping and before skimming out, and then after the final skim coats are done. (Some recommend oil for the 1st prime.)

[@1painter4hire]

Good to see You back Sir, One of the only true Journeymen Painters people should be listening to on here . Stay Safe .

[@davidstaples1668]

Excellent work! I'm getting ready to paint a new house and I'm finding its a lot of work Thanks for the efficient suggestions.

[@carlos-uj3qg]

Hey man, It's great to see one more of your videos again

[@XCPainter]

Thank you Sir. My goal is to continue on with some more.

[@Isleskye]

Is your folding scaffold heavy? It looks like it might be light with the platform removed. I have a health issue which limit me quite a bit as far as physical tasks on ladders, weight carrying yada yada. However a lack of riches means repairs and maintenance around the home still need doing. Your scaffold looks like a big helper with enough foot fall area to keep even me upright.

[@XCPainter]

@@Isleskye that aluminum scaffold is pretty light, especially without the steel platforms. They're great but you still have to climb or take a big step up onto it.

[@Harmoniewheeler]

Oh my word. Thank you. I’m an owner builder DIYer, but have sprayed, several homes. Love my sprayer. Each house I learn and get better. When I discovered spraying the walls first, ceiling second it was a genius moment. Basically, it’s way easier and better result to plastic walls Vs. Ceiling. Your technique of taping is a lightbulb moment on my current build. Thank you!!!! I’m going to ditch my tape/plastic applicator this time round and do it your way. More tape, but way less frustration! Question. Baseboard install before or after hardwood flooring? My vote, do hardwood flooring (of course carpet is last), protect floor with roll out cardboard stuff, then trim and caulk. Then with all new construction prime everything, paint trim, tape off trim paint walls, tape off walls (which also covers trim) then paint ceiling. Work bottom up. Thoughts?

[@robertbrooks1621]

Very good video full of handy information for covering a wall to paint the ceiling.

[@MrsCobberoni]

Just a diy - er here wanting to reach out and say thank you! Thank you for this video, you are so knowledgeable and share and teach so well! So thankful to have stumbled across this video! Fantastic tips, tricks and teaching! ♥️

[@XCPainter]

Thanks for the compliments and for watching

[@miladbehbahani5848]

This guy is soo f***ing skilled. Hands down the best painter on KZbin

[@XCPainter]

Thanks for the compliments.

[@miladbehbahani5848]

Thanks for the knowledge bro

[@mikenobles1515]

Thank God your back.... Been waiting everyday patiently ... Crying with joy

[@XCPainter]

Haha thanks for the support and waiting for this one to finally get finished!

[@youtrades]

Fantastic! This is the way I've been doing it for a few years now, but just tacking it up, then sensitive tape. This looks like idyll work better. And, i couldn't agree more about the masker- i love it, but it's a chore masking ceilings😜. I also love the tape twist tip! ( i just had a corner come loose 2 days ago....)

[@tricolor112010]

Excellent video and very good technique to handle the tape

[@cwrowe]

Glad your back....👍

[@manuelmireles9907]

Hi Bro!!! I really enjoy your videos, i am a painter too and got some ideas that helped me a lot of how you do things. I know that is complicated, but hopefully you can do videos more often, thanks.

[@martinosicka7051]

Hi, I have to add to the other comments on here fantastic tutorial on masking I will do it like this from now on... Thank you 🙏

[@Hey_me]

I learned something new today. 👍

[@laotzu1111]

Wow, excellent job. Thanks for the pro tips.

[@dalvinderster]

Nice to see you back bud.

[@XCPainter]

Thanks. I'm happy to finally complete this video and glad to see you and other people's support.

[@larryaldama1673]

Thanks 🇺🇸👍

[@cwrowe]

Your back? Nice.....

[@enriquesanchez4107]

Yo do amassing prep work. I like your videos

[@sparks6666]

Great info here. Thanks!

[@XCPainter]

Thank you 👍

[@scooby0068]

Impressibe techniques, thank you!

[@easypainterslondon]

good video great info

[@petemiller519]

Good video Bro, thanks for the tips. Cheers.

[@XCPainter]

Thanks!

[@cathedralImages]

Hes done that before !! Good job

[@anthonygalang8853]

Thank you my guy 🙏🏽

[@marklaffey7972]

Great video

[@XCPainter]

Thank you

[@martinbelisle4961]

Thanks for the good masking tips. What are the pros of spraying the ceiling instead of rolling it? Also in this video I can't tell if the wall are finished, if they weren't would you still cover them?

[@XCPainter]

Thanks. Yes the walls are finished. If I did the reverse painting order of ceilings first, I would not cover the walls with plastic. The pros of spraying the ceiling are good coverage, even appearance,, easy to do, a quick application itself has its pros, paint blends together, etc.

[@LarryScruggsJr]

Thanks!

[@XCPainter]

I appreciate the tip! Thank you

[@michelangelopainters5519]

What if you tacked the plastic up first, with the appropriate gap, then ran the green tape along the ceiling line? I guess there's more room for error trying to get a perfect cut line while also taping down the plastic, but you'd save a lot on tape for an entire house. Or maybe tape the cut line first, but leave the lower edge of the tape unstuck, then shove the plastic under that edge to secure it.

[@Monarchski]

That looks to be a new construction house. Curious, why are the walls already painted before the ceilings?

[@XCPainter]

Yes, both new construction homes. One spec home with orange peel texture and one custom built home with smooth walls. The spec home was a 3 story home with lots of wall area, rooms, stairwell etc, and it was relatively quick and easy to spray and backroll walls first (instead of brushing and rolling 2 coats after ceilings)... 5-6 man hours versus 40-48 man hours. The tape lines give great results and are cleaner and easier to produce than hand painting all the cut in lines.

[@Jpres]

I might've missed if it got mentioned but do you ever have issues with paint peeling when removing the tape?

[@XCPainter]

Paint peeling happens rarely. There are a few factors involved if and when that happens... if substrate like drywall etc was too cold, damp, or too hot when products were applied. If the primer was worked into the surface on applicable surfaces... same with topcoats. Quality of products, product application timing, tape removal timing, environment or humidity when pulling tape, type of tape etc. in general, peeling paint is indicative of a problem somewhere and can be attributed to products with poor adhesion, poor prep and cleaning, non ideal environment, or ineffective procedures.

[@scottthecanadian]

I like your portable Scaffol where did you get it from ? And what tip would you use to cover a popcorn ceiling that the customer wants painted over .

[@XCPainter]

I bought it from HD back when they sold that version. I might use a 515 for popcorn ceiling, hitting it from a couple angles

[@gastonjabaly]

Bud give it a try to one of those tiny wire brushes to tack the tape

[@magneticflux7833]

Wow. Wonder if my boss can use these videos. Maybe now I can help him

[@homer009x]

When you spray and backroll the walls, do you brush in the corners where the roller doesn’t reach? How do you ensure good contact in corners if you don’t?

[@XCPainter]

@@homer009x no need to brush or roll in the very corners. The sprayer will cover those with the correct spray angle and distance away. Backroller should get close in vertical corners, and ceilings can usually be bumped with roller no problem as long as it's done evenly

[@jasonhutchinson3797]

Hey there, so finishing everything else and leaving your ceilings till last, comparing man hours is this method faster than cut and roll. I love straight lines so I mask my architrave edges so I may move onto to this if it's a faster option. Cherz

[@XCPainter]

Yes I believe it's faster and easier on certain projects, especially with many rooms and new construction with textured walls, etc.

[@twtw9589]

On a repaint of Crown Molding, Ceilings, and walls on existing painted surfaces, which surface do you spray first? Crown, Ceiling, Walls? If I spray the Ceilings first, then I have the problem of having to mask and paper the Ceiling edges rather than just masking the Crown after it's painted and then spraying the Ceilings and walls. Appreciate your input, thanks.

[@XCPainter]

Its really up to you and how you plan things. I'd think about spraying crown and trim first before ceilings

[@Di16460]

Does the tape not peal the paint off? If not how do you get it to do that?

[@XCPainter]

The tape should not peel the paint off on good conditions and when the underlying coatings were done correctly. If paint peels, it's an indicator of a previous issue, even if it's as small as the pva/primer adhesion, top coat adhesion factor, etc In these spray situations, the interiors can get very humid, and the mud underneath everything can still absorb that moisture and cause peeling. It's better to air out the interior and let humidity go away/dry before pulling tape.

[@deborahvan5168]

Thanks for the video! :) What is that platform called that you're standing on? Do you know if it's something I might be able to rent from Home Depot or Lowes? Thank you

[@XCPainter]

Thank you very much. That is the Metaltech 4' aluminum scaffold. They make steel ones more commonly. Found it locally when they clearanced them out of the store.

[@JUSTJAMIE82]

Do you ever get paint peal when demasking?

[@XCPainter]

@@JUSTJAMIE82 rarely. If there's peeling, there's indication of something that went wrong or too rushed

[@tonynunez75]

You said you use a 619 tip ? What I'm trying to find out is it a Graco or Titan and which color is it both companies have red green and other colors which signifies the quality of the tip which one do you use because I have been having trouble with my ceiling hoping you could help me thank you

[@XCPainter]

You can use any brand airless tip with the appropriate housing/guard. Some people use smaller tips but that's up to each person. Graco Black 619 would be standard Rac V housing (orange). Graco fflp (green) is fine finish that fit Rac X blue housing. Graco blue tips are mid size tips that fit Rac X blue housing. Titan red are standard and would be the appropriate tip if it's 619. Titan greens are the HEA High Efficiency Airless which throw on big particles of paint so opposite of fine finish. Titan Purple (SC6+)are the Fine Finish tips for titan

[@joaquinsuarez6090]

Thanks for sharing. I always have problems with tape removing (peeling) paint when removing it and have to get wall paint to touch up all the time. Is there any way to avoid peeling paint while removing tape?

[@XCPainter]

Have to let products fully dry, and get all tge humidity out of the areas before you unmask drywall surfaces. Proper conditions when applying primer to drywall is crucial. If it's too cold or damp, the primer won't fully adhere to the new drywall. Same for paints.

[@larrykaminski8206]

I've recently painted a ceiling with glidden PVA primer on new drywall, weeks later painted with Glidden ceiling flat white. weeks later taped ceiling with 3m 2080 sensative, and brown paper to paint walls with sprayer, after spraying about an hour, I started to remove tape and paper and in some locations the ceiling paint was peeling off with the tape, have you had this problem and what caused this?

[@XCPainter]

Haven't had a problem like that much... rarely though. There are a lot of variables that contribute to a successful or a peeling finish. Letting the products fully dry and helping or letting the humidity leave the areas is important because the drywall mud, and paint products will hold that moisture, and weakening the bond. I haven't used Glidden PVA nor Glidden ceiling paints so I can't speak for their effectiveness.

[@larrykaminski8206]

@@XCPainter Thanks I'm reaching out to Glidden for help too. I like your videos nice work.

[@kevinchambers3302]

Hey bro Where did you get your 4 foot extension from You and your boss was using it he was spraying you were rolling

[@XCPainter]

I think that was just a Graco 3' or 4' pole gun set up.

[@kevinchambers3302]

@@XCPainter yo thanks enjoy your speed and technique and mind set different level

[@mattgloss8580]

let's hope that one day we will get compostable plastic film for masking.

[@XCPainter]

Where would you dispose of it at? Yard waste bin? Your yard? Or the dump like other trash?

[@mattgloss8580]

A bit late reply mate.. But haven't see this until now. I would dispose of it with regular waste Pal.

[@Knute1232001]

Do you tape trim with this method? I'm a new painter and I'm having a difficult time taping trim fast with straight lines

[@XCPainter]

I don't tape trim quite the same. Probably use paper and handmasker.

[@mattelser2378]

I have masked using similar methods and the moisture from the sprayed paint bleeds through the masking tape enough to soft the paint on the wall. Thus when I remove the tape, it removes the paint from the wall. Any thoughts as to how to avoid this?

[@XCPainter]

Definitely. I've found letting everything air out very well and dry is the best timing to remove masking. Sometimes I unmask next day, sometimes same day. Not all jobs go the same... sometimes the masking comes down effortless... I usually prefer to open windows a little (or more) let the humidity escape, use fans possibly and dry heat to dry out the environment. The drywall mud will actually soak up the humidity and that's one of the weak links that causes failure. Of course, the type of tape used is important too

[@mattelser2378]

@@XCPainter Thank you sir. I appreciate the reply. Would it be better to tack and tape up the painters plastic first. Then run your frog tape (or whatever) above/over that and tight to the ceiling to get a crisp line. This way you can remove the frog tape IMMEDIATELY when done spraying while allowing the plastic to stay hanging.

[@XCPainter]

@@mattelser2378 I think that's an okay method. It would give a solid hold with the increased sticky surface area... as long as there weren't many wrinkles in the tape. I don't utilize the method though because if the plastic and 1st row of tape isn't flat and straight, the second row of tape could be slightly more tricky to apply smoothly or compromised in performance. Also I really prefer not to pull the top row of tape when paint is wet because it can swipe the ceiling paint, also that drywall mud underneath is still retaining the moisture and could let go of primer or paint.

[@source4painting1]

How long after painting the walls did you wait before applying the tape and plastic to them?

[@XCPainter]

Next day

[@source4painting1]

@@XCPainter That's what I thought.

[@martiruda]

like a pro! do you recommend walls first then ceiling?

[@XCPainter]

Thanks. It can go either way depending on your preference and the situation, like amount of area to cover, ability/equipment to spray, if spraying is allowable in occupied space, or you don't mind a bit of masking.

[@XCPainter]

On small jobs with less logistics in mind, I'd brush and roll ceilings then brush/roll walls. For Larger spaces and ceilings, and nice results desired quickly, I woukd usually paint walls then mask and spray ceilings

[@eevanoir197]

How many times do you paint the ceiling?? Is it possible to paint once

[@XCPainter]

Of you are doing a repaint, spraying 1 coat can work out if it's done nicely. With new builds (custom homes) 2 coats is usually best practice... or with Spec homes, at least a good prime and a good wet coat of finish.

[@eevanoir197]

@@XCPainter Great sounds about right with the one coat and new 2 coats- I'm going to try my room first then if all goes well - others, I purchased a good one from a hardware place. thank you for taking the time to reply.

[@jordanwhite3424]

Need a set of those platforms you got there what are they called?

[@XCPainter]

Those are Metaltech 4' Aluminum folding scaffold.

[@greenblonde8190]

Painting my walls green, if i spray 1st it will get on ceiling and would be hard to cover.

[@XCPainter]

If you spray walls first, and spray ceilings second, it should cover up the wall color with possibly 1, but definitely 2 regular/light coats

[@kevingeeslin2833]

How do you bid that much prep work until your price sir

[@XCPainter]

It's quite easy work if you are good with spraying. Masking skills improve with practice.

[@ivtec845]

How long do you let walls dry

[@XCPainter]

Overnight for sure with heat and good air movement.

[@ivtec845]

@@XCPainter I figured as much I always seem to have trouble with the tape peeling the paint even with a quality primer ,top coat

[@Richard-ob5zn]

Where you been? long time, no time for a video. Thanks for the tips, what kind of green tape are you using. Its not frog tape.

[@XCPainter]

That is "All-Pro" Green, light tack, lightweight tape. It's not super awesome but it works. Had no paint pulling issues with it.

[@arinb12]

What mask and cartridges do you use?

[@XCPainter]

I use a 3m halfmask (7500 series possibly) with 3m 6001 organic vapor cartridges and pre-filters.. Painterssolutions.com is a great vendor

[@shae937]

Why would you do that prep if you have to paint the walls after? Make work project!

[@XCPainter]

@@shae937 thanks for asking. The walls get painted 1st though, then masked over

[@gageirwin7206]

never seen that kind of tape before

[@adrianadios5041]

The amount of prep is ridicolous, I'd roll the walls faster with a 14 inch roller. Sprayers are great on ceilings or when your just painting everything white, but for multiple colors, tradition roller and brush is the way to go for me.

[@XCPainter]

Thanks for the feedback. On the two projects shown in this video, both were new construction with no trim installed... very easy to spray(and backroll) walls at that point. The project shown with beige walls, was a 3 story with orange peel texture, 2 stairwells etc, so spraying primer and topcoats on all surfaces was pretty necessary. 2 guys sprayed and backrolled the 3 storys worth of wall space in 2 hours which would have taken a week if we brushed and rolled it all. The project with the

[@bertcabana5563]

Use a plastic putty knife to burnish yr tape

[@user-pj9rc2lv7u]

Привет из России. Ты снимаешь хорошие видео.

[@XCPainter]

I apologize, can you translate to english?

[@user-pj9rc2lv7u]

@@XCPainter Greetings from Russia. You make good videos. I put my thumb up and signed up.

[@XCPainter]

@@user-pj9rc2lv7u thank you Sir. Take care friend

[@gageirwin7206]

masking mashine would save a ton 9f time

[@gianthills]

why not spray the ceiling first. no need to mask walls

[@XCPainter]

There's several reasons. Some homes with lots of sq ft, are nice to paint in a production manner. This avoids having to brush and roll walls up to ceilings. By painting walls 1st, you can spray and backroll or just paint by dipping still but avoiding cutting ceiling lines. This process is helpful in spec home painting, especially orange peel texture situations or larger interiors

[@customcoatings6001]

9" paper and super 77 glue. tack your plastic to this instead of more tapes. very fast

[@kurtminges647]

Hold on stop what you're doing .. They sell a masking machine at Major home improvement stores for about 60 bucks it automatically puts the tape on the plastic that you can buy in 4, 6 and 9 ft .. Or if you don't feel like using it to put up plastic you can pull the plastic roll off and you can put on 4 6 9 12 inch masking paper..thats 180 foot long for 3, 6, 8 dollars..

[@XCPainter]

Thanks for the feedback. I have 6 different masking machines and various blades and I've used 3m Advanced masking film many times. It's not always ideal, especially for 9 and 10ft walls, and it's not ideal when you'd just like to stop or restart your course of masking. One continuous piece of tape doesn't always hold up or work when going around inside and outside corners due to there being zero extra slack or tolerance.

[@jumanjimedia6324]

seems like a LOT of fucking about just to paint ceiling

[@T.fellaman]

I guess the walls are remaing original?

[@XCPainter]

Yes, in these homes the walls have just been painted. Also if someone needed only ceilings painted, this is one way to do it.