How does one paint an open stairwell?

15 years ago

...Other than "very carefully?"

We had this painted about 12 years ago when we moved in...now that The Boy and Elder Son are pretty much gone...I figure it's safe to paint it again.

But I am at a loss as to how to do it. Someone suggested using a cinder block on the lower step to give me a level spot to put the ladder...but that seems like a bad idea. Or am I being overly cautious?

From the main floor looking down...

From fall photos and pink bathroom

From the not-quite-bottom step looking up:

From fall photos and pink bathroom

Yet another shot to give you some perspective...perhaps:

From fall photos and pink bathroom

I am not particularly afraid of heights. I usually do my own interior painting. BUT...this ladder thing has me stymied. I'm planing on using Aura..."Subtle." I've got a guy who has done exterior painting for me...should I just get a quote from him? Or is this something the better-than-average home painter can tackle?

HALP!

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Comments (10)

paintguy22
15 years ago
I would just reach from the upstairs as far as I could and then get the rest from a ladder on the landing. You could also use a plank set on 2 ladders and then you could reach everything easily.
mjsee
Original Author
15 years ago
Then that is what I will attempt. I wonder how tall you are? I'm about 5'8". I hope my arms are long enough! It's the cutting in I'm concerned about. I know enough to put a roller on a pole.

Worst case scenario...I get halfway finished and THEN I have to call someone.

The beauty of using the Aura Paint is...the lap marks won't be so obvious. Actually, since I'm going to prime first, I'll know whether I can manage or not before I get to the finish paint stage.

Thanks!
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fnmroberts
15 years ago
I know what you mean about the cinder block. That certainly will work but the painter really needs someone standing at the ladder base as a precaution. Also, depending on the stairway height and width, obtaining the necessary angle for a ladder may not be possible.

Check your local rental center. Small scaffoldings with adjustable legs are made for working on stairs. You'll have a larger working area. The rental rates generally aren't unreasonable - maybe $100 per week.

Hope that give some encouragement.
weed_cutter
15 years ago
Use a paint pad with wheels to cut in. You can put that on a pole also. See "Point N Paint" above.
sarahandbray
15 years ago
I know this is probably an added expense but doesn't the Little Giant ladder system work for situations like this? Do you have a neighbor that has one of those things? Seems like it would be more safe and sturdy to use something made for that situation. We have a similar situation in our house...although maybe not as much vertial...downstairs & upstairs have 9' ceilings...so 18'+ to paint?

Fun times!
-sarah
haley_comet
15 years ago
There are times you need to hire painters and I think your stairway is one of those times. Some stairways you can manage but yours is pretty high.
tgd2008
15 years ago
Definitely hire a professional for that area. I just did the same. It's not worth a fall. He had a ladder that stretched horizontally with special feet propped against the opposite wall. It created a scaffold and he moved across that to reach all the areas. I don't think you'll get a real nice finish by stretching and coming in at different angles.
mjsee
Original Author
15 years ago
Yeah...after thinking about it a few days...I think I'm gonna call Antonio. I'll have it prepped and ready to go...and the trim primed and painted...and he can handle the walls (and ceiling if I decide it needs paint.)

I painted a tall stairwell in our PO with a little giant that I borrowed...but it wasn't as open. More places to lean the ladder.

Thanks for all the replies!
fotostat
15 years ago
I've never seen a fan in a stairwell. I assume you use it to blow the heat back downstairs in the Winter?
mjsee
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes...but more importantly in the summer we reverse it and pull the cool air up. It's not my favorite thing--I'm tempted to re-install the iconic globe that should go there. We didn't put the fan in...the Previous Owners did. We found the original globe light up in the attic. VERY mid-century modern. I may try leaving the fan off for a few weeks this summer and see if it makes a difference.

How does one paint an open stairwell?

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paintguy22

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How does one paint an open stairwell?

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