Prime without scrubbing?

15 years ago

Hello,

We have a 13.5 foot high, tongue groove ceiling out our back door.

It is enclosed, not directly in contact with the elements but it is also the place where visitors go to smoke.

Right now the tongue/groove and beams are painted in either a Satin or Semi-Gloss off white finish.

Over the years the paint no longer looks off-white but more grungy, and yellowish....I'm sure do to the smoking.

I want to paint the ceiling beams/tongue-grove but I will have to be doing it myself on a very tall ladder.

I would like to eliminate the times I have to go up and down a ladder.

Does the ceiling need to be washed/TSP'd first before putting on a good coat of primer? Or will a good quality primer cover/seal the yellowish tones on the painted wood?

Also, What would be the best primer to use?

Now that it's cooler outside I'd like to get started with this project but like I said, it will be me and me alone dealing with a 10 ft. by 14 ft. ceiling.

Thank you for any/all help or suggestions you can provide.

Amity

Comments (8)

cloudcrasher
15 years ago
The ~WASH~ is a must. I don't care how good the primer is, it will bleed through, and it might feel like the paint is smearing as you apply it...It is. Two ladders and a plank will save time. A rental staging section, about $15/day will work even better. If you completely wet the ceiling with cleaner...first...it will save you lots of scrubbing time. Over the years I have tried every type of cleaner, for your job I would suggest Simple Green.....WORKS GREAT!!
paintguy22
15 years ago
It depends on the job and every job is different. Are you sure it isn't simply an oil based coating yellowing over time? I really can't imagine that you have that many visitors smoking outside that the ceiling can turn yellow because of that. If the yellowing is not from smoking you should just be able to sand it and paint it.
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Leslie M
15 years ago
Sorry to say it, but a paint job is only as good as its prep job. You should wash it first, then use a primer/sealer. Your paint store can tell you which one, and I'm sure there's a water-based one that will do the job. Maybe you can use a long-handled mop to do the cleaning, then the rinse? You wouldn't want to risk paint failure on a ceiling--that would make a lot more work in the future.
ladyamity
Original Author
15 years ago
My thinking....
The steps, for a proper paint job should include:
Wash, Sand, Wipe off sanding dust, Fill any cracks/holes with paintable caulk, Prime, Paint.

I was already feeling very overwhelmed with this project that HAS to be done, and was hoping I could eliminate one (or maybe two) of the steps.

You all are so awesome with your tips and advice...THANK YOU!

PaintGuy,
Yes, it's from smoking and, even though protected from direct sun/wind/rain, it's still considered outside.
The last time it was painted was when we moved into the house in 1981.

It was originally a really good tongue/grove but was never painted or sealed so a friend we had back then had a sprayer and small scaff set-up.
I bought the paint at Home Depot and that's how I know it's water-based and it came in a 5 gal. bucket already mixed.
Back then the ceiling was washed, sealed/caulked where needed, primed and painted with two coats.
After looking at the ceiling this morning, it's not so much yellow as it's more a very light golden brown tint now.

Stoooopid should be painful.
Stupid me got up on a chair this morning and the very end of the ceiling where it drops lower, I used a rag with some 409 (I hadn't heard of Simple Green-I'm going to look for it tomorrow!) sprayed on it and wiped an area about a foot in diameter.
Now that area sticks out like a tall thick weed in a patch of gravel.
It's going to drive me bonkers....now I have to paint the ceiling...the anal person that I am. LOL

CloudCrasher,
The thought of a rental piece hadn't even crossed my mind...THANK YOUUUU!

Liesl13,
My neighbor (a DIYer for many years) told me since it's outside I HAD to use not only Oil primer but an Oil paint. I hate using Oil Primer. Good to know I don't have to. Thank youuuu!

{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}
{{!gwi}}
cloudcrasher
15 years ago
After seeing the pics, I would use a sponge mop on the flat surfaces. Hand wipe the rest.
ladyamity
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi CloudCrasher,

Do you mean something specific for washing ceilings or do you mean an actual floor sponge mop?
I've used an extension on a roller/paint before...is that what you mean? Or an actual mop mop, for my kitchen floor?
cloudcrasher
15 years ago
Good evening,

A floor mop will save you a great deal of time...and PAIN. Simple Green is available at Home Depot, it's a great product. After washing, put a fan in the room to move the air (if you have one), it will dry quickly. Sand and make all your repairs before priming. If you're not painting it white, they can tint the primer. Use a quality roller, I like Purdy, they don't leave any lint behind. Let me know if I can help in any other way. NO!!...I won't come over and wash it
ladyamity
Original Author
15 years ago
"Let me know if I can help in any other way."

Oh Shoot! I read this and was just about to ask.... lol

Thank you for all your tips!
I bought a mega-sized spray of Simple Green. Doesn't smell like Pine. I thought because it was green I would have a hospital smell wafting into the house but it has a pretty nice scent.
Haven't used it yet on the ceiling...that's next weekend.
Didn't like the look/feel of the floor mops at Home Depot so I'll head over to Target or KMart this week and see what they have. I'd like to find one with the widest head possible. Can you tell I want to cut out as much work as I can? *grin*

Hubby brought home primer last night - doesn't say if it's good for outside but doesn't say it isn't. But I'm going to use it anyway since no rain will be hitting it directly.
I noticed every time I walked outside and looked up at the ceiling I got chills, and not the good kind.
So overwhelming.
Might not get it done in one weekend but it will be done especially since I got all this great advice.

Thank you again, everyone!

Prime without scrubbing?

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Prime without scrubbing?

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