I have a client that wants their basement ceiling painted flat black in order to make it look taller I assume. It is unfinished with exposed joist, conduit, HVAC, etc. Anyone ever done this with success. I have an airless sprayer I use for regular walls and ceilings when painting a remodel. Would an HVLP sprayer be a better choice for more control. The walls and floors are unfinished now but will be painted in the future. There would be minimal masking and cover needed as the basement is more or less empty. House is 7 years old. Any tips or tricks? Thanks for your help.
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I did this... the HVLP was a horror, I think because there were so many solids in the black paint that it kept clogging. So I went airless and it was fine. Here's how it looked.
http://www.finecontracting.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=14
HTH
PaulB
paul.... that's great
is that web site Fat Roman's work ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Indeed it is Mike...
PaulB
(and thanks ;) )
Edited 2/19/2008 9:38 pm ET by PaulBinCT
Painting a ceiling black is going to make the ceiling appear shorter not taller, flat white or ceiling white will make it look taller not flat black. If they do not want white then a lighter shade of the wall color will also make the room look taller.
But if they want it black they want it black.
Wallyo
Painting basement ceilings black was pretty common back in the 70's
I don't think it makes the basement taller, just hid the dust and cobwebs better. :)
Definitely the airless is the better way to go in this case. You need to hit the ceiling from different angles to get the ducts and pipes covered. You'll be covered to
Just make sure you use flat paint. Any gloss in the paint will allow the eye to distinguish the different materials on the ceiling. Flat will blend it all together.
A neighbour of mine did that in his basement for the same reasons you pointed out. Maybe it's a good idea in a commercial space..but in his basement I thought it looked horrific. It was rather depressing.. and did not accomplish what they were looking for.