When I mention metallics, you probably think of gold and silver, but there are many more options available: blues, greens, purples?. Metallics add flair to any room and are especially stunning when used on a ceiling. They refract light and add sparkle, but they can be very hard to work with. Here are the DIY Basics for success when using metallic paints.Before you start painting, make sure the surface is smooth, as metallic paint emphasizes any bumps or gouges on the surface. The hardest part of using metallic paint is getting an even coat, but you can do it by following a few simple rules.
1. Metallic paint is pricey and requires several coats to get even coverage. Save yourself some money, time and frustration by painting the surface first in a color that’s close to the same color as the metallic paint.
2. Apply the paint evenly and consistently and in a uniform direction. For a ceiling, tape the walls, then use a 4" roller to cut in along one wall.
3. Now use a 9" roller to paint a strip along that wall, painting back and forth but making sure your last stroke goes in one direction. This is called backrolling, and it aligns all the metallic pigments. If you don’t backroll, you’ll end up with overlap marks and roller marks.
4. Now cut in a small section of the end walls and paint another strip. Make sure you overlap the first strip so you’re working wet paint onto wet paint. Continue working the same way across the ceiling. You can use a 1/4"-nap roller cover if you want a smooth finish or a long nap roller with a beveled edge for a more textured look. I’d recommend testing it first so you know it produces the look you want.
Another tip is to add a paint extender to your metallic paint: it extends the drying time and gives you more time to work with the paint. You can save yourself some frustration if you put a glaze over the metallic color. The glaze hides most of the flaws that would be obvious without it.
So if your heart is set on a metallic ceiling, remember to do the following:
- Put a base coat on the surface that’s close to the same color as the metallic paint.
- Work in small sections, always putting wet paint onto wet paint.
- Make sure your final strokes always go in one direction.
