How to Paint a Wood Beam
Wood ceiling beams move in and out of popularity as styles change. A natural wood beam may create a rustic look in a home where a painted beam may offer texture but not make as strong a style statement. For this reason, many homeowners decide to paint ceiling beams to reduce the degree of contrast between the beam and the ceiling or to reduce the rustic quality of the natural wood color.
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Things You'll Need
- Drop cloth
- Plastic sheeting
- Tall ladder
- Tape
- Primer
- Paint brush
- Roller
- Paint pan
- Paint
Instructions
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1
Remove all furniture, rugs and accessories from the room being painted. Ceiling painting frequently sprays drops of paint in a wide area.
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2
Cover the floor with a drop cloth. Use plastic sheeting to protect fireplaces, columns or other surfaces that cannot be moved.
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3
Position a tall ladder under the beams and tape along the ceiling adjacent to each beam. Tape off all beams before you start so that you can prime all of the beams at once.
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4
Use a primer designed for the type of surface you will be painting. If your beams are very rough, use a paint designed to penetrate and seal rough wood. For smoother surfaces a standard primer should work. Some wood types may require additional sealing, such as knotty pine. Roll the flat surfaces of the beam and use a paint brush for any areas that the roller cannot cover. Allow the primer to dry for 24 hours.
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5
Paint the beams with a flat finish paint. Roll the flat areas and use a paint brush for the edges and for any areas that the roller doesn't cover. Allow each coat to dry at least four hours if you need more than one coat.
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Tips & Warnings
Paint the ceiling between the beams first and allow the ceiling color to cross onto the beams. This way, when you tape and paint the beams you will have no additional cutting in work to do.
Wear protective goggles if you are likely to drip paint onto your face.
