What is the best way to paint ceilings? The paint on our new drywall ceilings looks very bad -- very streaky.

A monkey can paint a wall....it takes skill to paint ceilings. In all my years of painting I have Never had to put more than two coats on new drywall. The lines are from pressing too hard on the roller set up. Use a good grade of roller cover (1/2 inch nap,white purdy) and a decent flat paint. Ceiling paint usually has a little blue in (makes it whiter) and a higher solids content. You cannot go wrong using Sherwin Williams ,Pro mar 400. Stay away from the cheap junk sold at Home Depot or the chain stores....and remember when asking advice at the chain stores....The person you are asking was probably selling shoes two weeks ago.;What is the best way to paint ceilings? The paint on our new drywall ceilings looks very bad -- very streaky.
Did you prime it first?





Drywall is like a sponge. It will suck in the first several coats of whatever you put on it.





If you didn't prime the drywall before you painted, you must go back and do that. At least 2 coats, and let them dry thoroughly in between.





Then, paint ... on new drywall, figure at least 3 coats of paint OVER the primer. The streakiness you mention is caused by uneven coverage ... it's hard enough to get even coverage on a wall ... a ceiling is that much harder because you're working over your head!





Don't glop the paint on thickly, though ... better to use several coats, thinly but evenly applied. Let each coat dry before you apply the next ... each successive coat should go on more easily than the one before it. Be patient.





Also, consider the lighting in the room. A ceiling reflects light differently than walls do, so it might be partly due to the lighting that the ceiling looks uneven.What is the best way to paint ceilings? The paint on our new drywall ceilings looks very bad -- very streaky.
I've used a medium nap roller on an extender pole with satin paint. First I've gone around the edge (up a ladder) with two very good quality sponge brushes one 1'; wide the other 2 1/2'; wide. I do the ceiling where it meets the wall first, and let it dry at least 8 hours. Then I roll on the rest of the ceiling paint. Also make sure you wash it with a pre paint preparation wash. We used to use ****-N-Span with tri-phosphates, but they do not make that any more. Use something that says for paint preparation, that will degrease the surface and does not leave a residue or you will have to rinse the surface several times for the paint to adhere properly.
If this is a flat ceiling. repaint with anouther coat of paint going the other way. new drywall will suck up paint and look bad. and was it primered first . if it wasnt primered than you may have to give it 2-3 coats. if it is a textured ceiling. than use a thick knapp roller cover and put anouther coat on it and see if that helps !
Remove the paint. from the ceiling.Give it a good base.Then a simple Chinese dragon design ,done in bright colors will look fantastic