Any tips for safely painting the stairwell of a house?

Question

I'm wanting to safely paint just the walls (not the ceiling) of a home stairwell. The stairwell goes up to a landing, then you make a u-turn to a second set of stairs that continues up to the second floor. The ceiling is fairly high and what I'm really concerned about is being able to mask the edges of the ceiling so the painting stops at the top edge of the wall. I've seen suggestions ranging from ladders with boards clamped across them to lifts to scaffolding.....what is safe and practical?

Answer 1

20 ft. extension ladder
Step ladder
Walk board
C clamps
Paint

Steps:

1. Make sure that your walls are free of any dirt, grease or wax. Then, you need to patch and sand any rough spots...and you need to prime the walls before you do your base coat of paint.


2. Get help to bring in the tools you’re going to need. Use two ladders with a walk board in between. Place a 20-foot extension ladder on the stairs and against the tall wall (figure A). Put a step ladder on the landing at the top of the stairs. Place a walk board on the rungs and slide it through to the other ladder (figure B). You can rent a walk board or use a 2 x 12 piece of lumber. To keep it secure, attach the board to the ladders using "C" clamps
3. A tool that will make your job easier is ladder mitts. Ladder mitts go on the ladder to protect your wall surface
4. Once you have all the tools in place, painting a stairwell is pretty much like painting any other wall area. Just cut in around trim and roll on the paint.

5. One problem with painting a stairwell is you really can’t have much help. You only want one person on the walk board at a time and you don’t want anyone standing underneath.

6. It usually takes about 24 hours for your base coat to dry. Then you can add a decorative treatment. One reason to do this is to hide a lot of wear and tear.

Rag Rolling

1. Use a latex base paint that’s two-shades darker than the wall.

2. Dilute that paint with 20% water. You’ll want to wear gloves.


3. Wet a cotton rag and ring it out (don’t want drips)

4. Work in a small area, only as wide as you can comfortably reach while standing still.

5. Dip the rag in the diluted paint and then pat the rag on the wall Work in a random pattern...pressing lighter at first and heavier later as the rag empties of paint.

6. Re-fill the rag as necessary. Keep dabbing until you like the way it looks.


http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/hi_painting/article/0,2037,DIY_13928_3567097,00.html

Answer 2

Painting is fine but make sure the area is well ventilated because the problems arise when you inhale too many fumes in a poorly ventilated area and start getting headaches. These can then raise your blood pressure which isn't good. BUT as long as you take lots of breaks for fresh air and have as many doors and windows open as you can, then its totally okay. You're going to have this baby in the next couple of weeks anyway (I wouldn't do a whole house at 20 weeks though!) Maybe try asking you paint shop for a low odour version of the colour/paint you want to use. Oh and don't go climbing on any ladders!!

Answer 3

An extention pole with a edge cutter attachment...that's the one with 2 smallwheels and a square sponge.

Use a 7-11 stair ladder too.

Answer 4

Good suggestions above. Remember to start AT THE TOP!

Answer 5

paint pad on a stick

Answer 6

You hire someone to do. Let them fall and bust their ****.