Grab a painting roller tray and give your ceiling a fresh coat—without the chiropractor bill. Start by choosing a sturdy roller tray with deep wells and a magnetic brush holder; it keeps your roller evenly loaded and your cutting-in brush within reach. Pour a shallow puddle of quality ceiling paint into the well, then roll the sleeve back and forth until the fabric is saturated but not dripping.
Next, screw an extension pole into your roller frame. Stand comfortably on the floor, hold the pole at a gentle angle, and work across the ceiling in manageable sections using slow, overlapping W-strokes. The tray’s ramped ribs knock off excess paint, preventing the roller from glopping and spattering your face or floor.
When you need to reload, walk the pole upright to the tray instead of bending down; your spine stays straight and the paint stays off your shirt. Reload, scoot the ladder (if you need one at all), and feather the wet edge before moving on.
In a typical living room, this tray-and-pole combo trims painting time to a breeze and leaves your neck and shoulders pain-free. When the last stroke is done, simply slip a liner out of the tray, pop the roller sleeve into a zip-top bag for the next coat, and celebrate a flawless ceiling—no ache attached.