Quick answer: To paint a gypsum ceiling properly, tape and fill the joints, sand them smooth, apply a sealer or primer, then two coats of flat white emulsion. Skipping the sealer is the main reason joints and patches show through. Painting an existing gypsum ceiling typically costs KES 280–420 per m² including paint.
Gypsum ceilings and cornices are now standard in Kenyan homes, apartments and offices. They look excellent when finished well, but poor preparation leaves visible joint lines, cracks and patchy paint that you see every time you look up.
New gypsum ceilings: step by step
- Check the installation: boards must be firmly fixed, with screws slightly recessed and not torn through the paper.
- Tape the joints: joint tape bedded in filler stops cracks along board edges.
- Fill in layers: two or three thin coats of jointing compound over joints and screw heads, each feathered wider than the last.
- Sand smooth: sand lightly and check with a bright light held along the ceiling.
- Dust off: brush or wipe away sanding dust.
- Seal or prime: one coat of sealer so the board and filler absorb paint evenly.
- Two finish coats: flat or matt white ceiling emulsion, rolled in one direction.
Repainting an old gypsum ceiling
- Clean off dust, cobwebs and kitchen grease.
- Re-fix any loose boards and fill cracks or popped screws.
- Spot-prime filled areas and stains.
- Apply two coats over the whole ceiling, not just patches. Touch-ups on ceilings always show.
The best paint for gypsum ceilings
| Area | Recommended finish |
|---|---|
| Living rooms, bedrooms, offices | Flat or matt white emulsion |
| Kitchens | Washable or moisture-resistant ceiling paint |
| Bathrooms | Anti-mould ceiling paint |
| Cornices and bulkheads | Matt white, or an accent colour for a design feature |
| Water-stained areas | Stain-blocking primer, then emulsion |
Flat finishes are best because light shining across a ceiling shows every bump in a shinier paint. For wet rooms, see the best paint for bathrooms and kitchens.
Painting cornices
Cornices need careful cutting-in, either in the ceiling colour or as a contrasting band. Fill the joints between cornice lengths and the gap where the cornice meets the wall with a flexible filler before painting, so cracks don’t appear later. Painting the cornice white with coloured walls gives a clean, finished line.
Common gypsum ceiling problems and fixes
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Visible joint lines | Poor taping or filling, no sealer | Re-fill, sand, seal, then 2 coats |
| Cracks along joints | No tape, frame movement | Cut out, re-tape, fill, repaint |
| Popped screw heads | Board movement | Re-screw, fill and spot-prime |
| Brown water stains | Roof or tank leak | Fix the leak, dry out, stain-block primer |
| Sagging board | Water damage, poor fixing | Replace the section |
| Patchy, uneven sheen | Painted without sealer, or touch-ups | Seal, then repaint the whole ceiling |
Gypsum ceiling painting cost
Repainting an existing gypsum ceiling usually costs about KES 280–420 per m² including paint, or KES 120–200 per m² for labour only. New ceilings that need full joint finishing cost more, and cornices are often priced per running metre. See all our painting rates per m².
BrushMasters paints gypsum ceilings, cornices and bulkheads in homes and offices across Nairobi. We can work room by room so you can keep using the space. Explore our interior painting service or book a free site visit.
