Avoiding Roller Marks on Ceilings

April 8, 2025

Say Goodbye to Streaks: How to Paint Your Ceiling Like a Pro

Let’s be honest—painting a ceiling isn’t exactly on anyone’s bucket list. But when you walk into a room and spot roller marks glaring back at you? It’s frustrating. 😩 Especially when you’ve poured your heart into getting everything else just right. The ceiling should be the finishing touch, not the flaw that jabs at you every time you glance up. Good news? You can absolutely avoid those streaky disaster zones with the right tricks (and team of trusty products by your side).

Why Do Roller Marks Even Happen?

Ceilings have quirks. For starters, the angle makes it harder to see as you're working. You might think you’ve got perfect coverage, but later—oh hello patchiness. Then there's the paint drying at different speeds, which sounds minor but leaves behind uneven textures and light spots. And using the wrong roller or poor technique can make a decent ceiling look downright patchy.

Start With the Right Roller – Yes, It Matters

Your roller needs to hold a good amount of paint and spread it evenly without fighting you. I always recommend a 12mm nap roller for ceilings. It’s the sweet spot between holding enough paint and not splattering like a paint tornado. If your ceiling is textured, you might need something with a bit more fluff, like a 20mm nap. But for smooth plaster, stick to that 12mm—you'll thank me.

Choose a High-Hiding, Flat Ceiling Paint

This is where quality plays a big role. I mean—do yourself a favour and don’t cheap out, especially when paint like the Haymes Expressions Ceiling Paint is built to hide imperfections and give a professional-looking flat finish, even on less-than-perfect surfaces.

I’ve used this stuff for years. It glides on like silk and doesn’t flash weird shadows from different angles. Plus, it has amazing coverage—ideal when you don’t want to do more coats than you have to.

Subtle Tips That Make a Big Difference

You don’t need to be a trade painter to get this right, but practise a little patience and follow a rhythm. Here's what’s worked best for me and others who pop into the shop looking for some ceiling-saving wisdom:

Work in sections, about 1.5m x 1.5m squares. Overlap each section slightly and paint in a consistent direction to keep things uniform.
Keep a wet edge. That just means you shouldn’t let the paint dry between areas—keep it moving so everything blends nicely while wet.
Don’t go over the same zone again and again. Once it's rolled out, leave it. Tinkering while it dries can lead to streaks. Trust the paint.

Prep Well or Regret It Later

I know, prep isn’t the fun part—but it’s where you win the war against roller marks. Start with a spotless surface. Dust and cobwebs might not stick out at first, but they mess with the final look like nobody’s business.

Use a solid undercoat, especially if there's any staining or if you're painting over something darker. The Haymes Ultraprep Multi-Purpose Undercoat is the reliable base you need when changing colours or going for a smoother finish across awkward areas. It’s known for its great flow and excellent adhesion too, so it's like a sticky note for your topcoat—without the risk of peeling back.

Looking Up Has Never Felt So Satisfying

There’s a certain kind of joy that comes from sitting down, looking up, and spotting a crisp, perfectly painted ceiling. No missed patches. No tiger stripes. Just that clean finish that lifts the whole room.

And for anyone who’s ever painted through neck cramps and arm aches, you deserve more than an average result. You deserve to feel like the DIY legend you really are. 😉

If you've got questions about ceiling rollers, prepping products, or flat-finish ceiling paints like Haymes Expressions, pop in and talk to us here at Strathalbyn H Hardware. We’ve seen it all (seriously), and we're always keen to make your paint job smoother—literally.

Happy painting and keep looking up (with pride),

Cheerfully,
Candeece