Can You Use Ceiling Paint On Walls - Expert Reviews

Just painted a ceiling surface and still has a lot of paint? “Can You Use Ceiling Paint On Walls?” is your first question. It’s very common now that most people buy ceiling paints that covers a large surface area but still have enough paint left behind. People want to use this paint on their walls because its features make it easy to paint, saving time, energy, and money.

It is not the only reason to use this paint on walls, but most people want to paint their walls with this because of its hard and glossy finish. Ceiling paint is not specifically made to use on walls. However, there are some considerations for which the answer to the question, “Can You Use Ceiling Paint On Walls?” is YES.

Before implementing ceiling paint on the wall, you should know the absolute difference between wall paint and ceiling paint. It’s helpful to know the pros and cons of wall paint on the ceiling and vice versa.

Can You Use Ceiling Paint On Walls? Painting ideas - 2023 — Can You Use Ceiling Paint On Walls? Painting ideas – 2024

Difference between Ceiling Paint and Wall Paint

There is a lot of difference between ceiling and wall paint. Both of these have their pros and cons besides their features. These differences will let you know if you can paint walls with ceiling paint and vice versa.

1) Finish

The ceiling paint finish is good comparatively. All the ceiling paints offer a shiny, glossy, and sheen finish. The reason is that it has a reflective appearance, which makes it look more attractive. So when you look at the ceiling, you will get an amazing site to see.

On the other hand, wall paint has an eggshell finish. It means that the reflective touch is absent here, and it looks shiny but less than ceiling paint. These offer a pearl-like finish on the wall if you are painting it for the first coat, and for the second coat, it offers a glossy finish that is hard and attractive to see.

It means that you can use ceiling paint on the wall, but wall paint is not recommended to use on ceiling surfaces.

2) Viscosity

Higher viscosity means thicker the paint, and it’s easy for you to apply it on the surfaces, either its ceiling or the wall. Ceiling paint has higher viscosity comparatively, due to which it’s dead easy to apply on the surface with a brush or a roller. Due to its thickness, there are very few chances that it won’t stay on the surface or will flatter off. Moreover, it’s ideal for painting in an area with more traffic, like a drawing room or an outside ceiling surface like your garage.

On the other hand, wall paint has less viscosity, so it cannot stick easily on the surface. To make its usage easy, people use two or three coats of this paint. Some people use different ways which preparing the surface and using a primer are good to go with.

3) Durability

Ceiling paint is more durable due to its thickness and high viscosity. People love to use this paint due to its cost-effective results. Some ceiling paints are more expensive than wall paint, but their long time durability makes you forget their high prices. The reason is that there is no need to paint for a long time on the foot traffic areas once you use ceiling paint there.

Wall paint has less durability no matter how many ways and tips you use to make it stick on the wall for a long time. Moreover, it flatters off from the surface easily, even with a little force of chair movement. Due to fading and scratching issues, this paint also causes shining issues.

4) Drying Time

Ceiling paint takes more time to dry due to thickness. Twenty-four hours is the maximum time that it takes to dry completely. If you want to apply a second coat, it means you need to wait for 24 hours of the time duration. A typical wall paint takes only 4 hours to dry, and you can apply a second coat after this time.

5) Coverage

Ceiling paint can cover a large surface area as compared to wall paint in the same amount. It has more viscosity, and its sticking power on the surface is higher than wall paint. You may need to apply 2-3 layers of wall paint to make it fit and perfect, but it does not happen with a ceiling finish because a single surface does wanders here.

6) Color Options

Ceiling paints are used for specific surfaces, so they are very limited in their colors. You can only get specific colors. However, wall paints are available in a variety of colors.

Note: If you cannot find the required color for ceiling paint, you can mix two different colors by getting help from a professional.

7) Fading Issues

Ceiling paint may have a few fading issues because it’s not made to avoid UV rays or chemicals. However, wall paint is made by considering the UV rays attacks, so these are protective from the fading issues.

8) Prices

Ceiling paint is affordable and can save up to 40% of the money. In my experience, The reason is that there is no need to apply a second coat. Also, using ceiling paint means there is no need to apply a primer to the walls, which is another reason to save your cost.

On the other hand, wall paints need more than one coat and primer to make them stick on the surface for a long time. All these reasons make them pricy and expensive, up to 40%. Hopefully now wall paint vs ceiling paint is clear to you. Select the paint depending upon your choice and need.

Some Scenarios to Use Ceiling Paint on Wall

When to use ceiling paint on the wall? There is some scenario where you can easily use ceiling paint on the wall without consideration of the quality issues. And similarly, you can use wall paint on ceiling surfaces in some scenarios.

Using ceiling paint on the walls is recommended when you want to gain extra sheen and style the walls. Ceiling paint is also the best choice on walls when looking for an extra stylish look with a specific design.

Here are some conditions when using ceiling paint on the wall is recommended:

When you want to hide imperfections and scratches from the wall.
Most people want to create textured effects on their interior and exterior walls. A ceiling painted offer the highest quality of texture so that you can use it.
If you want to make a wallpaper-like look on the wall or want to paint different items on the wall for a unique look, you can use it.
Painting on the drying room and kid’s rooms wall is also a good idea for a shiny and attractive look.
There are some conditions when you want to remove smoke or other chemical odors from the wall; this is only possible by painting the wall with a hard finish like a ceiling paint.

How to Use Ceiling Paint on Walls?

After finding the answer to if I can use ceiling paint on the wall, the next consideration is how to use it. Do I need to prepare the surface for a shiny look, or is it just simply a matter of applying paint? Here are some steps which are not only answering your questions but also make you able to get a shiny and ideal appearance on the wall:

Step 1: Prepare the Surface

Preparing the surface perfectly is the first and most important step. Whether you are painting the interior or exterior walls, the procedure to paint is the same. The surface preparation process is also the same. First, remove all the items and the material available near the wall you want to paint. Now see if the wall is fine or has imperfections. In case of any damps and scratches, it’s necessary to make it smooth, which is possible by using a smooth cotton cloth.

Note: Before starting the process, I recommend wearing goggles and safety clothes for protection in case of any dangerous and sudden health risks.

Step 2: Use Primer

Using a match-able primer is essential to use for the sake of getting long-term shiny and durable results. You can skip this step if the areas where you apply ceiling paint don’t have much human traffic. Can ceiling paint be used as a primer is the concern of most people? If you use ceiling paint on the wall, you can use it as a primer. Painting walls and ceilings are now easy.

Step 3: Painting the Wall

Start applying the paint with the help of the roller from the upper to lower sections. Use the roller in the horizontal directions to avoid thick paint and uneven surfaces. Don’t use a brush on the wall because ceiling paint is thick, and you can save a lot of time using the roller. Here are some guidelines necessary to follow:

Don’t move the roller to the other surface until you have completed painting on the surface where you started first.
Move the roller once you are sure that a wall surface is painted evenly, and there is no need to get in touch with it again.
If you have painted the ceilings and the walls simultaneously, you need to cut corners from the surface where the wall connects with the ceiling.

Step 4: Finish the Painting

Once you have finished painting the walls and ceiling, you can move the roller toward the other wall. Don’t move toward the second wall until the first one where you start painting is completely even and has a shiny look. At the end of the painting, use a cotton cloth or any other smooth substance to rub the painted surface smoothly. It will help to remove paint spots if there are any.

Best Paints for Walls and Ceilings

1. KILZ Color-Change Stainblocking Interior Ceiling Paint

If you want to remove stains and spots from the wall and ceiling surfaces, this KILZ paint is an excellent choice. This paint offers a glossy and sheen finish look with more advantages and fewer disadvantages. It helps to make the surfaces safe from UV rays and chemicals. Above all, it dries quickly in just a few hours. Hence, I highly recommend using this paint if you want a quick shiny surface look in your home or office.

2. Prestige Interior Paint and Primer in One

This paint not only works as paint but also as a primer. There is no need to use a primer separately. This paint can easily be applied to the surface with a brush or roller because it’s not as thick as other ceiling paints. It has 20 different colors, most of which have a whitish finish. Moreover, it also offers red, blue, and grey color looks. It also dries quickly and is durable.

3. Rust-Oleum 285139 Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint

It is one of the well-reputed ceiling paint which is useful for painting interior walls. Rust-Oleum is a famous brand that is leading the primers and paints industry. This paint comes in mostly white, and besides using it on the ceiling or walls, you can also use it on furniture, wood, metals, and other substances of daily usage. It’s easy to apply, and quick dry features are another reason which urges us to mention this pain in top products. You can use it as wall and ceiling paint.

Can You Use Ceiling Paint On Walls?

Frequently Asked Questions – Can You Use Ceiling Paint On Walls?

Yes, you can use wall paint on the ceiling only if there is no other option. To make it stick on the surface, prepare the surface, use the primer, and apply two coats of wall paint on the ceiling’s surface. The reason is that regular paint is very thin and does not offer long-term surface sticking benefits.

Ceiling paint is thick and has a high viscosity so you can use it as a primer due to its durability features. It’s easy to stick on the wall and don’t scratches off the surface quickly.

No, you can’t mix ceiling paint with wall paint; otherwise, you will face long-term finish issues. Because these paints have properties, you can’t blend them by mixing.

Yes, you can use ceiling paint on the trim because it has greater coverage issues.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, it’s clear if you can use ceiling paint on walls or not. It’s ideal to use ceiling paint on interior walls and trim surfaces instead of on exterior surfaces. You can also use ceiling paint as a primer and then apply regular paint on the wall, offering ideal glossy surfaces.