Replies

1. 
   CAGIV | Nov 20, 2007 07:19am | #1

   rent a scaffold would be be the cheapest and easiest.

   I can rent 3 sections, getting me 15' off the ground for about 50 bucks a week.

   Short of that, Sub-it-out.... I hate painting high ceilings

   

2. 
   peteshlagor | Nov 20, 2007 07:32am | #2

   You'll be a fool for trying anything other than scaffolding.  Rent it.  It's cheep and easy to set up.  Get the wheels to go with it and you can roll around and get everything just right.

   I got tired of renting it all the time and bought myself an 35' tower of pipe staging with two pics and sets of adjustable feet.  And two Baker II racks.

    

3. 
   Abm | Nov 20, 2007 07:57am | #3

   I'd cut in the edges as far out as needed to clear the beams, turn the heat way down (maybe even open a window if possible) to cool the ceiling down, then use a long Wooster (or other professional brand) extension pole with an 18-24" roller with a good 100% acrylic ceiling paint (like Benjamin Moore Muresco) two coats.

    

   If this is a repaint I would prime the whole thing with a stainblocking primer. My personal preference being Zinser 123 latex.

    

   I've done lots of these in this manner with good results.. yes scaffolding is easier but this will work well if you do it right and take your time.

4. 
   DonCanDo | Nov 20, 2007 04:13pm | #4

   Are you painting the walls too?  If you are, it's much easier to paint the ceiling first without regard to overlapping onto the wall (in fact, you want to overlap a little).  Cutting in the walls is easier than cutting in the ceiling.

   I would use the extension ladder with ladder mitts and rubber mats for the feet.  Adjusting the ladder height as the ceiling height changes is something you can't easily do with scaffolding.  If there are light fixtures, you can rent step ladders up to around 16'.

   If you're only painting the ceiling and not the walls, you still might be able to manage with the extension ladder, but you had better have a pretty flexible neck.

   You mention that it's hard to roller because of the texture.  Have you tried a thicker nap?  I've rollered some pretty course textures with the standard 3/8" nap.  I have used a 3/4" nap roller and it really handles a lot of irregularities.  If a roller doesn't work, it's time to consider spraying.  I would never brush an entire ceiling.

    

1. 
   Biff_Loman | Nov 20, 2007 07:02pm | #5

   I rented a 14' step ladder once, in the process of hanging a fancy hanging lite fixture in a clients' house.NEVER AGAIN. Scaffolding from now on, for me.I strongly recommend AGAINST trying to use one of those in someone's house.

   Edited 11/20/2007 11:03 am ET by Biff_Loman

5. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Nov 20, 2007 08:39pm | #6

   I've done a few high ceiling jobs, sheet rocking and painting.  Pipe scaffold on BIG castoring wheels, about 8"-10" diameter, is definitely the answer.  Get a few extra planks so that you can leave a couple at each stage.  Makes building and tearing down safer and simpler.

   Edit: It helps to have a length of stout rope too. So when one guy is standing on top of the second stage, he can lift the next frame or plank up there safely.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/20/2007 1:49 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter

1. 
   FastEddie | Nov 20, 2007 09:24pm | #7

   Yeah it's so easy to build the scaffold a level at a time, and move the planks up as you go.  Seems easy.  But then you find yourself on the 3rd level and wish there was at least one plank on each of the lower levels so you could stage tools or climb easier.  And then when you go to tear it down, it's awkward trying to stand on nothing while you lower the planks."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt