How to Paint in Black & White
- 1). Mask off the tops of the walls with masking tape so you can paint the ceiling without getting paint on the surrounding area. If you have crown molding, tape just below the molding so you can paint it the same color as the ceiling. Also place drop cloths along the floor and over any furniture you have not removed.
- 2). Stir each can of white paint thoroughly, and then pour all of the cans into a 5-gallon bucket. Stir the paint thoroughly in the 5-gallon bucket.
- 3). Repeat the process with the black paint and set it aside. Stirring the paint first disperses it so you don't have thick dregs of pigment at the bottoms of the cans. You will also need to re-stir each color before you use it.
- 4). Paint the edges of the ceiling and the entire surface of the crown molding, if applicable, white. Use a paintbrush to ensure you get in the corners right up to your masking tape and about 2 inches into the open space on the ceiling.
- 5). Fill in the rest of the ceiling by applying the paint with a roller, overlapping your brushed area. Use a supporting roller tray with a liner for the easiest rolling. Roll smoothly and slowly to avoid spattering.
- 6). Place the paintbrush, roller and tray in a plastic bag and tie it shut or tuck the edges under when you are finished with the ceiling. Washing the brush and roller will add too much water and dilute your next area, but the plastic will maintain the moisture as you switch back and forth.
- 7). Mask off one wall that you want for your accent wall once the ceiling has dried completely -- usually about four hours. Re-stir your black paint and brush in the wall edges. Then apply black paint to the rest of your accent wall. If have any inset areas -- such as built-in shelves or window sills -- in the remaining walls, paint these at this point, working from the highest point downward. Do the same with any trim you want painted black, such as window or door frames. Wrap your black paint items in plastic when you are finished.
- 8). Mask off the black areas once they are dry, including the area around any trim on the black wall that you want to paint white. Placing masking tape on paint that is not completely dry will peel off the painted area, so wait at least four full hours.
- 9). Unwrap your white paint items and re-stir your paint. Paint the remaining areas white, using the brush on the edges first, and then the roller to fill in the large areas. Paint any trim on the black wall carefully with your white brush, wiping up any drips as you go. Check each white area before you paint it to make sure no black has spattered or dripped onto it. If there is wet black paint, wipe it off with a rag, and then allow the area to dry. For dry spatters or stains left from wiping off wet paint, brush on a small amount of white paint and allow it to dry fully before edging then painting the area.
- 10
Check each black area immediately after you paint your white areas and wipe away any spatter with a damp cloth. If you are left with dry white streaks, dab black paint over them with a sponge, smoothing out any lumps or thick areas of paint with a clean sponge.
