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Roof Rafters Paint

Does what it says on the tin
TopStar74
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Roof Rafters Paint

#485829

Postby TopStar74 » March 11th, 2022, 12:43 pm

It started with me getting into the attic to retrieve something. Now I have spent several days, cleaning up everything, using the vacuum cleaner in full force removing dust, cobwebs etc. which has probably been there for nearly 8 decades. Now the place looks really clean so much so that I am thinking of a small project and a little personal space for myself which is much needed in our restricted space house. It is fully boarded so I can walk around easily and also has lights and a ladder too. I wanted some basic furniture and a bookstand with books. My idea was to paint the roof rafters. Currently it looks like they have been painted some black/brownish paint/primer/varnish or whatever. I was wondering if I can paint them white? Probably highly unusual? But I felt white gives a feeling of airiness, brightness and space. I tried searching online and could only see this American link which interestingly also mentions the same benefits I mentioned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnvvUmJpeOs

Wish to know, can I paint those rafters white? If so, after cleaning, and lightly sanding them, what should I do? Just paint some internal white paint? Or external white wood paint? Not even sure what I should use. And also, should I use a primer first? Total newbie DIYer here, so any advise gratefully received!

PS: I also read about links saying - beware of rafters being painted, as that would be a tell-tale sign that they are fire damaged etc. I am definitely not trying to do that.

pompeygazza
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Re: Roof Rafters Paint

#485834

Postby pompeygazza » March 11th, 2022, 12:59 pm

I would take a photo of "before" just in case you decide to sell. Then lightly sand them, prime and then undercoat (you might find this is enough) before glossing.

mc2fool
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Re: Roof Rafters Paint

#485844

Postby mc2fool » March 11th, 2022, 1:24 pm

TopStar74 wrote:My idea was to paint the roof rafters. Currently it looks like they have been painted some black/brownish paint/primer/varnish or whatever. I was wondering if I can paint them white?

How old is the house? It's possible that "black/brownish paint/primer/varnish" is some kind of wood preserver / insect repellent. If you're really unlucky it'll be creosote, which is basically tar and is really difficult to paint over.

Try a scratch-and-smell test; if it smells kinda smoky, like burning wood or freshly laid asphalt then it's creosote. If it doesn't smell like that it may still be creosote but applied very long ago. From what I've heard it takes decades before creosote can be overpainted with normal paints without it bleeding through. There are, however, specialist paints for doing so.

In any case, I'd recommend painting a small unobtrusive section with whatever wood paint you have lying around, and waiting a couple of weeks to see what happens ... ;)

TopStar74
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Re: Roof Rafters Paint

#486071

Postby TopStar74 » March 12th, 2022, 12:07 pm

mc2fool wrote: Try a scratch-and-smell test;

Thank you. I did. Absolutely no smell.

I am planning to apply this for the wood as it seems to be self-priming, undercoating and paint.
https://www.sadolin.co.uk/products/sado ... -for-wood/

For the brick wall, I am planning this
https://www.limestuff.co.uk/limewash/li ... e-15-litre
I have absolutely no idea about limewash etc. but it looks good on that brick firewall and thought that effect will look good on the internal brick wall. This needs to be breathable as well which I think it is. Please can anyone inform/educate on whether this will be a good option or I am doing something really wrong here?

88V8
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Re: Roof Rafters Paint

#486245

Postby 88V8 » March 13th, 2022, 11:30 am

TopStar74 wrote:
mc2fool wrote: Try a scratch-and-smell test;

Thank you. I did. Absolutely no smell.

I am planning to apply this for the wood as it seems to be self-priming, undercoating and paint.
https://www.sadolin.co.uk/products/sado ... -for-wood/

For the brick wall, I am planning this
https://www.limestuff.co.uk/limewash/li ... e-15-litre
I have absolutely no idea about limewash etc. but it looks good on that brick firewall and thought that effect will look good on the internal brick wall. This needs to be breathable as well which I think it is. Please can anyone inform/educate on whether this will be a good option or I am doing something really wrong here?

You'll do no harm with limewash, very breathable, although it will require multiple coats as it's thin and very runny.
Another breathable option is Zinsser Grade 1 https://www.zinsseruk.com/product/grade-1/ which I'm currently using on a wattle & daub wall. Good coverage but it's a bit pricey, and not as breathable as limewash.

That Sadolin, maybe... I'd have used Bedec MSP water-base which is also an all-in-one. Sadolin is really an exterior woodstain.
https://bedecpaints.co.uk/bedec-multi-surface-paint-msp/

With any water-base paint, use a synthetic brush, not natural bristle, and stop every 30 mins and wash the brush out otherwise the paint will dry in it and the brush will become useless. Hardened water-base paint cannot be washed out.

Wear old clothes when doing the job, while painting overhead the paint will want to run down the brush and down your arm.

Ivor

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Re: Roof Rafters Paint

#501055

Postby Amilie » May 17th, 2022, 7:07 pm

When you apply paint or a coating other than a regular primer, it is classified as specialty paint, and when it comes to your rafters it is the better choice for functionality and presentation


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