I also do have popcorn ceilings on one room (removed it in the other), which some have recommended using only a sprayer on.
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I am painting all of a 800 square foot apartment, including ceilings and primer. Has anyone used any or (more helpfully) all three types of paint tools: the power rollers, power painter (sprayers), and paint sticks? I have heard good things about the power roller ($50 and up) and paint sticks ($24-$30), but am wondering if the added expense is worth it for the power roller? Is the paint stick easier to use because it has a manual, mechanical control as opposed to a constant flow of paint? Or is it simple to use either?
Regarding the textured ceiling, you should read the info in this forum in reply to:
"How can I paint a popcorn ceiling (September 22)".
"How can I paint a popcorn ceiling (September 22)".
Because I did not receive a timely response, I had to try them all. Here is an answer for those who might have the same question.
Paint Sticks are not much better than just rollers and pans, alone. It took me 6 hours to paint a ceiling and one wall with primer. The paint also drips out of the roller from the "seeping points" way before the roller gets saturated, so it was tough to keep the roller full of paint without paint dripping on the floor.
I bought a power sprayer to do the next room (and finish the first one once the primer dried). The sprayer is by far worth the money. Very quick and easy to use. Plus it is far more fun. I also bought a giant spray-shield (like 3 1/2 feet by one foot with a large handle, which made spraying the edges rather easy. (Much easier than masking everything). It took me only about 40 minutes to do a smaller ceiling and wall. The coverage was also better.
The only downside to the sprayer was the overspray. I have unfinished subfloors exposed, so it did not matter, but carpeted or other finished floors as well as all trim and door knobs and such should be completely covered to prevent them from getting sprayed. Otherwise, the power sprayer is by far the better option, and worth the extra money.
Lawrence, good info. What kind of power sprayer did you use? Is it reasonalby easy to clean when done?
Cleaning the sprayer is the other major downside. I got a 2000 PSI Wagner power sprayer. The bulk of the cleanup is straighforward: you just pump soapy water or paint thinner (depending on the paint you use) through the sprayer. (You do need some sort of junk surface to spray it onto. I used old curtains that were on the way to the dumpster, anyway.) However, you then need to take it apart and clean the insides. They really should have designed it for easier cleaning; there are all sorts of non-functional little creavices and openings inside the unit where paint congeals and hides. Can't let it sit there because it could contaminate the next batch, especially if you have both dark and light colors (like I do).
And, I should add, Painting ceilings with anything at all simply stinks.
