Painting In A Tight Stairway - Some Tips Of The Trade

Zeebo

I have a couple of jobs coming up that requires painting the walls in a tight stairway area. There is about a 15 - 20 foot distance from each stair to ceiling, the variance depends on what step you are on. The walls and oak railings have about a 4 foot distance from eachother. The ceiling is a pop corn type but has a 3 inch boarder which is a flat. I don't have to paint the ceiling, but I do need to give the walls in the stairway with 2 coats.

My issue here is cutting in the wall to where it meets the ceiling. Rolling is easy...I'll just use an extension poll...but very carefully. I will be using a ladder (22 ft) to do a portion of the cutting, but the stairs are so narrow (distance between wall and railngs) that I cannot configure my jaws ladder for every angle. Also, the angle of the ladder - verticially speaking - is minimal...and perhaps not safe to use a ladder because you are literally going straight up.

The stairway is an open concept, which means I have access to all cut in ceiling areas with a poll if need be.

Quite often, I would use just a reaching poll with an attached brush extender in these situations if the popcorn ceiling was butt up against the wall...there is always a gap that I can slip my brush into. However, because the popcorn ceiling is not butt up against the wall...there is a 3 inch space, it makes using the reaching poll very tricky and requires a very steady hand...without that, paint will overlap from wall to ceilng.

Sorry, I don't have a picture..but I think you can imagine.

I don't use scaffolds...nor do I think one could fit in this area. I do use from time to time, a 12 ft wood plank that holds my weight (220 lb) on various stair configurations. I also have and use two "3 steps" that hold 1000 lbs.

Any suggestions from the group???

What I'm looking for are tips and suggestions of what people have used to get into these tight areas...where a ladder is needed but just won't seem to fit??

Has anyone used paint edgers with success?
Should I use the extention pool?

Help

Thanks

Zeebo

phinsher

I guess I'm having trouble visualizing a stairway where a extension ladder and plank wouldn't work, but I have seen those little edger devices that have the female threads to accept a roller poll. Not sure how that will work against the popcorn ceiling, but it's an idea.
What about those Pivot tools, ever seen one? they are basically a tool you can use in stairways that allow a few more configurations for your ladder. But honestly i don't think they're any better than a good old cinder block.

Try1

Here is what I do when I come to a situation were a big ladder or scaffolding won't work.
from the top of the stairs set up a step ladder find the height where you can reach the cut in area. I usually use a laser line set on the step ladder to find the position on the far wall then Attach a 2x4 on the far wall with a few 16 penny nails. Make sure to hit the studs. Then use a 2x12 what ever length needed as your platform. from step ladder to 2x4 mounted to wall.

This will leave a few holes in the drywall when you remove the 2x4 but can be filed with 5 min quick set.

Zeebo

That's actually a really good idea. Question for you....I'm 225 lbs. - I have used a 2x12 in the past for short distance, but I think a may have to use the full length for this project. How much weight does a 2x12 hold??? Your best guess. Sometimes I get so paranoid so I use 2 of them - one on top of the other.

Thanks for the info.

Zeebo

Zeebo

I have a JAWS ladder, it goes from 6 ft to 22 ft. Something like a little giant, but better as it allows me more configurations. Heavy as hell - 42 lbs. The jaws ladder comes with an extension leg which allows me to turn the ladder sideways, against the stairs, but still get a firm base by using the extension leg on one for the ladder arms at the bottom. So imagine one leg of the ladder resting on one set of stairs while the other leg rests on the lower step.

No sure about the Pivot tool? Never seen one. Can you get them at home depot?

Regarding the edger, if I had a popcorn ceiling that was butt up against the wall I would use one. However, the popcorn ceiling and the wall is separated by about 3 inches of flat ceiling....almost like a flat boarder.

Ok..what do you mean about the cylinder block...how would you use it

Thanks

Zeebo

Try1

Well I know 1 2x12 12 feet long holds me 160 know prob. I would use two in your case. Or a 2x4 screwed to the 2x12 as a rib leaving 1 foot on each end of the 2x12. Also would screw the end resting on the 2x4 on the wall just for safety.

One other way if the JAWS ladder you have will get you up high enough you could rest that on the far wall with the plank resting on that.

painterman

Can 't really picture what you are doing,but never meet a stairwell that I could not paint.Have you looked at ladder levelers. Attach to the leg of the ladder.Cut in twice and get out of there.Found a good set on Ebay for around $50.00. Good luck

Stan

slickshift

No
You can find them at a real paint shop though

here's link to pics:
http://www.paintstoreonline.com/cgi-...45105101402.c1

__________________
Signature Quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr