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Latex paint is a good option to use on wood panels because it's user-friendly and easy to find in home improvement stores. It comes in a variety of finishes ranging from high-gloss to flat. Depending on the amount of paneling, a professional painter’s favorite is often a satin or eggshell finish. They add a bit of sheen and shine, but not too much. Latex paint is also water-based, so cleanup is quick, and you can easily scrub your brushes clean.

If your popcorn ceiling is asbestos-free and you are ready for a new look, painting is an option. As long as there is no flaking or other wear, a new coat of paint might be just the thing to refresh the old ceiling. The best way to paint a popcorn ceiling is to use either a paint sprayer or a thick roller to cover the popcorn texture fully. (Do not forget to dust it off beforehand!)

“Note that if you eventually want to remove the popcorn ceiling, a painted ceiling is a labor-intensive job to remove and will cost more,” says Bob Tschudi. “Once painted, the process of removing the popcorn ceiling requires physical scraping as opposed to a spray-and-scrape approach. It’s very labor-intensive, and thus more costly.”

Painting in ideal temperatures (between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit) with moderate humidity and ample ventilation is the best way for your paint to dry properly. You can turn on box fans and crack open windows to add circulation, but be sure no dust or debris gets on your wet walls. In the end, it’s best to be patient and ensure your paint is fully dry before applying a second coat or moving items back into a room.

It’s possible to paint certain drop ceiling tiles, including those made of plastic, metal, and wood. Painting fiberboard ceiling tiles is technically possible, but the results rarely look appealing, so it’s best to replace them with new tiles, especially given how affordable they are. If you do paint your drop ceiling tiles, it’s a good idea to use a paint sprayer and a rapidly-drying paint to avoid drips. Latex paint is often a good choice, especially if you thin it and apply it using a sprayer.