We’re back with another installment of Tips, Tricks, and Hacks from a Pro Painter!

 

Last time, we covered the essential tools for perfect ceiling cuts. This time, I’m diving into the techniques that will take your ceiling cuts to the next level.

 

Ceiling Cut Disclaimer: Perfecting this skill takes practice! Ceiling cuts are intermediate-level work, so don’t rush the process. Start slow, focus on precision, and speed will come with time.

 

Now, let’s dive in!

 

Straight, crisp ceiling cuts are always the goal— but wavy ceilings can throw you off. That’s why I swear by…

 

️〰️The Optical Illusion Technique 〰

 

• Here’s the trick: bring your ceiling cut about a 1/16 of an inch onto the ceiling. This creates the illusion of a perfectly straight line.

  

• If you paint your cut line only on the wall, the eye naturally focuses on that line. This means that even the slightest imperfection will stand out. By slightly overlapping onto the ceiling, your cuts look flawless.

 

Now, here’s my step-by-step strategy for achieving…

 

😮 One Coat Cut-Ins 🫢

 

1.   Load Your Brush and Start Cutting In

• Dip your brush halfway into the paint and tap it gently on the side of the bucket to remove excess paint (scraping your brush removes too much paint).
• Rotate your wrist as you bring your brush to the ceiling line. This motion helps eliminate splatter and drips.
• Lay the brush on the wall about 5 inches below the ceiling line.

 

2.   Master the Back-and-Forth Motion

• Begin by pulling your brush up and to the right (if you’re right-handed) in a smooth, arching motion until the bristles meet the ceiling line. Then, pull your brush straight across your ceiling line, allowing the very tips of your bristles to hit the ceiling.
• Hold your breath as you go to keep your hand steady.
• Paint a one-foot section, until all the paint on your brush is released (if you can’t make it a full foot, you may need to load more paint).
• Once you’ve painted left to right, reverse direction (right to left) to catch any spots you missed.

 

3.   Cover the Reachable Area

• Paint the section of wall you can comfortably reach on your ladder (about 3-4 feet).
• Inspect for light spots and touch them up with your brush.

 

4.   Back-Roll with a Mini Roller

• Back-roll your cut lines with a 4” mini roller, getting as close to the ceiling as you can without touching it.
• This stipples your cut lines, preventing halos.

 

5.   Move Your Ladder and Repeat

• Continue working in sections until the entire wall is complete.
• This method ensures crisp cut lines in just one coat. BUT, if you’re painting a light color over dark walls, you may need two coats for full coverage.
• Expect to roll your walls twice.

 

 

❓ Frequently Asked Questions ❓

 

➡️ What is haloing?

 

• Haloing refers to the visible difference in texture or sheen between painted areas, like where brushed cut-in lines meet rolled sections of wall.

 

➡️ Do I need to roll walls while cut lines are wet?

 

• Ideally, yes! Wet edges ensure seamless blending. A painting partner makes this easier. If solo, focus on one wall at a time.
• If the paint starts drying before you can roll, let it dry completely before continuing. Painting over tacky paint can create haloing.

 

➡️ Does the quality of paint matter when painting walls?

 

• It depends. Dark paint is especially prone to haloing, so investing in high-quality paint for dark accent walls is a good idea.
• Also, higher-quality paints offer better coverage, making them ideal when painting lighter colors over darker walls.

 

I hope this was helpful and informative! Remember, perfect ceiling cuts take practice. But with these tips and techniques, you’ll be well on your way to achieving professional-quality results in no time.

 

As always, happy painting!

 

Best,

Chris Berry