Q&A for How to Paint Walls Near a Ceiling

It’s generally best to paint the ceiling first, since paint from the ceiling could run down over the walls.

Use painter’s tape or masking tape to create clean edges. Put the tape down before you paint, then peel it away when you’re done. Edging tools are also good for painting hard-to-reach edges and corners without a lot of mess.

Start by fixing the ceiling side. Put painter’s tape along the top edge of the wall, then paint over any splatters or stray wall paint on the ceiling with a coat of primer using a 2-inch brush. Wait for the primer to dry, then use a foam paintbrush to carefully touch up the problem spots with the ceiling paint color. Apply a second coat after the first coat dries, if necessary. Once the paint is dry, take off the tape. If there are messy areas on the wall paint, repeat this process on the wall. Don’t forget to put painter’s tape around the edge of the ceiling first!

That depends on your needs. If you’re not going on a long trip, a backpack can be convenient in many situations. For instance, it’s easier to carry a backpack onto a plane. It’s also ideal to use a backpack for hiking trips. However, if you’re going on a long trip and won’t need to carry your bag around a lot by hand, a suitcase may be better. You can pack a lot more stuff in a suitcase, but you might need to check it through if you’re traveling by air.

The main advantage of packing cubes is that they keep your stuff organized and separated. Using cubes, bags, and other organizers will make it easier to find what you need without rummaging through your things. It’s also easier to repack at the end of a trip if your stuff isn’t all jumbled and disorganized.

If you’ll be staying some place where you can wash your clothes, don’t pack more than about a week’s worth of clothing. Choose items that don’t easily wrinkle or show stains. Make sure to bring enough toiletries, such as toothpaste and hair products, to last you—unless you can easily buy more at your destination. Plan ahead if you take medications and work with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you have at least a full month’s supply with you.

Use a ladder to reach, or there are ceiling edge attachments you can get that have wheels that roll along the ceiling and puts paint on the wall. Or you could call a professional painter who already has the right tools and equipment.

Sometimes when there is a color change it takes two coats of paint to achieve the proper color depth. I would cut in and roll the first coat and see if the color is right in the cut in areas. If not, a second cut in coat can be done to make it all uniform in color. There are times when two cut in coats are darker than the 1 rolled coat, and then a second rolled coat may be needed as well.

A very carefully used paint brush where they meet and, about four inches away from that, seam on both surfaces, known as "cutting-in." Then, a regular roller application of paint can be used up to that shared corner or seam.

If you want to take precautions and feel that you will get it onto the walls, take plastic rolls and drape them down the walls, securing to the highest point of the wall with painters tape. If you are painting the walls as well, no need to cover anything; just paint away, and when you reach the walls, go down the wall about halfway with ceiling paint to give yourself a clean cut in line.

The easiest way to do this would be to put painter's tape in the area where the wall meets the ceiling. For additional protection, you could also hang a tarp over the wall with painter's tape.

It's easier to place the tape on the ceiling. Then you won't have to move it all! You can apply both coats and then take down the tape when you're done.