Although you may get away with one coat when just refreshing your white ceiling, two coats will really give a bright and fresh finish. If you're painting your ceiling a bolder or brighter colour, you'll definitely want two coats of paint, potentially more if the colour change is dramatic.
Follow these guidelines for every kind of paint job: One coat for ceilings (high-quality paint) if it's the same colour, but two if it's textured material or a different colour. Two coats plus one extra coat of primer for newly plastered walls or drywalls.
Two coats of paint ALWAYS looks better and more professional than just one. The best paints sold by top paint vendors recommend a two coat system.
If the existing paint has much sheen to it (i.e. its is satin, semi-gloss, or even full gloss), then the first coat of the new paint may “slide” leaving streaks that require a second coat to cover properly. The sheen of a paint is determined by how smooth it is on the surface.
Patchiness usually happens if you don't use enough paint, or apply it unevenly. Using a touch more paint, and painting in small sections one at a time, usually does the trick. Also, rolling in a grid fashion will get you an even finish too. But, sometimes, changes in the gloss level leave things patchy.
The recoat time is the period of time that it takes for the paint to be ready. This is very important because this dictates when you can start the next layer of paint. By missing the recoat time, the entire wall can be messed up which in the end will cost money, time, and effort.
2) Undo Uneven Paint Coverage
Your wall may seem uniform and even from a distance, however the coat will not be polished and a close-up it will show its unevenness. To correct this error, allow the paintto dry entirely before reapplying, then once the coat is dry and ready, add your second coat.
You'll most likely need to apply a second coat of paint. Second coats fill in any gaps, and help you achieve a smooth, uniform colour. As well as looking better, a second coat will ensure your paintwork is durable and long-wearing.
Adding a Second Coat
A good rule of thumb is to wait at least three hours to recoat your paint or primer if it's water-based. Waiting 24 hours is best for oil-based paint and primer. If you're unsure, the instructions on the paint's label can give you the best final say.
If you're repainting a wall, you'll only need one coat if you're using the same color and it's a quality paint. Quick Tip: When you're waiting for your first coat to dry, don't leave your tools and paint uncovered in the room. Instead, cover them your roller tray and paint to prevent it from drying out.
So if your room needs 2 coats, plan on getting around 200 square feet out of a gallon. Two gallons would allow for two coats of coverage over roughly 800 square feet. Most people will commonly buy this amount as it covers common-sized spaces like a living room or larger bedroom.
Using a brush can be more time consuming than a roller for larger areas. As such, choosing a good-sized paintbrush with soft bristles is recommended when painting a ceiling. This will ensure a more uniform finish. Always paint around the edges of your ceiling first as you would do when rolling.
If you're only painting the ceiling, start by taping off the edge of the wall or crown molding. Use a wider painter's tape to get the roller close to the corner without getting paint on the wall. This allows you to be less precise, so you can work faster.
There are a few reasons why your ceiling may be left looking patchy after painting. You may have used the wrong paint, applied too few coats, applied a second coat too soon, or used the incorrect equipment. It may be because you rushed the job.
Before painting, most primers can stay on a surface for anywhere between a few hours and 30 days. The amount of time depends on the kind of paint and primer you're using, how long it takes the primer to dry, the surface you're painting, and external conditions like heat and humidity.
Paint Drying Times and Factors
Oil-based paint - dry to the touch in 6–8 hours and ready to recoat in 24 hours. Latex paint - dry to the touch in about 1 hour, and you can safely recoat in 4 hours.
For smooth ceilings, use a low nap roller. For a textured ceiling, use a roller with 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch nap. Regularly use the paint tray to load the roller with ceiling paint and roll slowly. Begin rolling when the paint cut line is still wet.