Q about painting stained wood

Corcoran1 · 03-25-2008, 01:16 AM

I have some ceiling beams that are stained black right now that I want to paint white. I've had a couple painters over for estimates and I'm confused about what they are telling me. One said that there would be a lot of prep involved. The beams have to be sanded and then primed, then painted. Another says that he might lightly sand them but then he would just spray with an oil based primer before painting and that will stick just fine. Which is correct? The prices are very different, and I have no idea if someone is giving me the run around or if the other guy is trying to cheap out (as the one who wants to do all the prep is suggesting). Any advice?

Thanks!

mark942 · 03-25-2008, 05:08 AM

Prep is 87% of painting. Sand/oil prime/sand/then top coat IMO would be the way to go.

slickshift · 03-25-2008, 06:06 AM

They are describing the same thing
They are just doing it differently

An oil based primer is correct
I'd be wary of spraying in an occupied house, but that's just me

Corcoran1 · 03-25-2008, 02:29 PM

OK, that's good to know. The one just seemed a lot more involved. I'm not living there yet, so hopefully the spray will be no problem. Thanks!

movado · 03-27-2008, 02:33 PM

This is difficult to call because nobody can see what you really have. There is nothing wrong with spraying as long as everything is protected. Sanding lightly is all that is needed. I have sprayed before but using an HVLP sprayer which is meant for things just like that. HVLP sprayer is the type of sprayer used for furniture,High Volume Low Pressure. Very little paint over spray.

I just did an article on how to paint wood paneling in my blog and the process is the same but minus the deglossing unless your beams have a gloss to them.

Just like painting wood paneling you will have to prime the stained wood with a stain kill primer first. Then once that has been done you can paint them whatever you want.