10+ TIPS Painting in Stairwells and Other Tight Spaces!

ESSENTIAL tips and tricks for painting a stairwell. Stairwells with high ceilings can present a difficult challenge and you need the right tools and the know-how to make sure you can paint walls and ceilings fast and efficiently. We'll be outlining best safety practices to make sure you and your crew stay safe on your job site.
Paint Life Store: paintlifesupply.com
Ladder Aide Pro: t.ly/ukne
Paint Life Apparel: t.ly/GBYj
2 Edge 5 in 1: t.ly/rnweq
PiViT Ladder Tool: t.ly/6dlNB
HYDE Flexible Knife Set: t.ly/d13kA
Richard Gooseneck Brush: t.ly/pebJA
Xtend+Climb Ladder: t.ly/8M12
Kodawool Paint Roller: t.ly/BJL8n
9" Blue Tiger Pro Roller: t.ly/g8KA9
Music: credit bensound.com/royalty-free-music
Joshua 1:9

[@jamesreaves5534]

Great Video. I started painting in 1972 helping my Grandad. I've done it Professionally since 1980. I've always been Mr. picky when it comes to ladders. I used to tell my help I'd rather see the whole crew footing the ladder and only 1 man painting all day than see a man fall and get hurt. It's just worth it. I've worked on everything from a 4'ft ladder to 120'ft boom that would extend 7 stories. I couldn't fart for a week after I finished that job. Unfortunately I was up on a 24'ft ladder, it got knocked out from under me and rode the 24'ft ladder to the ground. I landed on my back flat on the ground with the ladder in my face. I was knocked unconscious and broke my back and four places. I've been disabled since 2012. As picky as I was about ladders I still fell and got hurt. Nobody ever thinks it's gonna happen to them. I climbed ladders from 1972 till 2012, 40 years and it only takes 1 fall. No matter how careful someone is it can still happen to them. I'm afraid of heights and had to force myself to overcome my fear so this made me extra picky about working on ladders but I still fell in a freak accident. I really like the way y'all were so careful in that stairwell. Whenever I had a tight stairwell I used a 16'ft ladder and a 2"×12" I'd place the 2"x12" on the floor just above the top step and run it through the rung on the 16'ft ladder on the first landing below. Your 16'ft ladder only has to be open enough to level out my 2"×12" and create my makeshift scaffold. I'd get a lightweight man to walk the plank and a heavyweight to stand on the 1st rung of the 16'ft ladder. I'd use a rope wrapped tightly around the 16'ft ladder and the 2"×12" in an X pattern tied off tightly keeping everything secure and preventing the 2"×12" from moving around. I always used 1 gallon bucket with the ring cut out (best workpot in the world) using my 5 in 1 putty knife with about 2" of paint in it when working on a stairwell. A man can use a swivel pot (bucket) hook hooked to the bail of the 1 gallon workpot looped under & over their belt then hooked back to the bail on the gallon bucket this keeps your 2 hands free. If you're not wearing a belt you can use one of the beltloops on your britches and do the same thing. A man can walk the plank cutting in 1 wall 'til he gets to the end the cut in the wall the 16'ft ladder is leaning against then cut in the other wall from the corner (cut in the corner as far down as you can) back to the top of the stairwell. This makeshift scaffold only takes a few minutes to setup and a man good with a brush can cut this in, in 10-15 minutes. In my opinion this is much simpler and easier than moving a ladder around in a tight stairwell. You may have already tried this, but I just threw it out there in case you hadn't. I always used 18" natural Merino Sheepskin 3/4"inch nap roller cover for roller cover for rolling my walls. Sometimes I used the same thing in a 9"inch roller cover. Sheepskin holds twice as much paint so you don't have to dip your roller nearly as often. They leave behind smoother texture than any kind of synthetic roller cover and the texture they do leave behind diffuses light in such a way that it makes the drywall look much more level than it really is. The one comment I always got from homeowners, builders and especially from drywall finishers was "How do get the drywall so level?" In addition to holding twice as much paint, covering twice as much wall between dips and leaving behind a superior texture that diffuses light and makes the drywall look much more level paint rinses right out. Sheepskin roller covers are 10 times easier to wash out than any kind of synthetic roller cover. They cost more but they're superior to any type of synthetic cover. If you ever try Sheepskin once you'll never use synthetic covers again. Just wash them out every day and spin them dry. They're super easy to wash. If you do this they'll last. If you leave them soaking in water they'll sometimes start shedding and coming apart. If you're gonna be right back in the same paint first thing next morning wet your roller in paint, load it up like you would normally then wrap it up in painter's plastic and tape the ends of the cover while still on the frame. Next morning you can tear off the plastic & tape and go right back to painting. Hope all my ramblings help Y'all. Seeing your videos sure makes me miss working. I wish we lived close because I'd sure Love to go out on your jobs and see what you've got going on. God Bless You and Your Family!! Jimmy in NC....

[@joshuareed3999]

So you’re telling me I’ve been doing it right all along??!! Sweet! Thanks for another great video. I’ll have to check out that Ladder Aide. Been using a Pivit since they came out years ago and the Ladder Aide looks like a good upgrade for certain areas. I get a lot from your videos even though I’ve been painting for over 20 years. Sometimes it really is affirmation that I taught myself well- other times it’s a complete education. Both are much appreciated! Keep rolling brother!

[@IdealSecurity]

Thanks for the shout-out, Chris! Your approval means a lot to us.

[@BlueCollarPrincess]

Thank you so much! I’m a muralist and I have a difficult wall along a stairwell to paint and this helps so much! I had no idea this tool existed! I bought it immediately.

[@coloradoboo1071]

I really appreciate your videos, brother! I started watching a few years ago when we wanted to repaint a bedroom and results were so good I'm repainting the entire interior in my house! (Almost halfway there.) Next phase will be the stairwell that goes up to my 9-foot ceilings and I also have a few narrow openings that go up to a few skylights that will be a challenge.

[@rochelle2269]

Thanks for the video! I’m getting ready to do my stairwell and this helped me so much!!

[@lawrences4230]

Thanks for the tips.... perfect timing as I too am painting the stairway in my house. Not quit as high or narrow but the tips will help... thank you again!!!

[@carolcohen9244]

Used a Keller ladder extender to lengthen 1 leg to use the extension ladder on the stairs perpendicular to the stairs. Worked great

[@kimberlywang1934]

Looks great and great tutorial. You're helping boost our DIY confidence to tackle a few projects in our house and save us some money too! Professional is the way to go for most things but if we can paint out a few rooms SAFELY ourselves with excellent results we can give it a go! Thanks again. We look forward to your next video.

[@stevegaymer9764]

I like your Tips always learn something new this for 35 years don’t think you know it all there’s always somebody doing something different that helps you out thanks for your tips

[@chadrockman1762]

Love this video. Absolutely the best channel on the you tube. Thanks for sharing.

[@xalonetv6399]

Great tips

[@copterstyle]

I've always loosened the brackets on the bottom of the railing and slip the whole rail off the mounts on the wall. Can remove the rail in 1 min. Don't have to worry about splatter and don't have to interupt the roll for the railing.

[@telhatechgomes7332]

Great vídeo, thanks 🙏👍

[@JoseMorales-ou6hk]

Tank you very much I like all your videos they have help me to do my painting at home on a very professional way like you all keep it up old boys tank you again

[@Wieprzow]

The thing with staircases is that when you doing some work in them the up and down traffic seems to increase tenfold.

[@michelemarch8270]

Thank You!

[@Idahopainter]

You're welcome!

[@dewycox7576]

Hey, here to add, pest control spider duster pole. 30ft reach. If I can reach the gable vent on a 2nd story exterior, I can paint a stairwell. Food for thought

[@lydvincecruz824]

Great tips .Thanks for sharing.Women need that tips of your. It means a lot to us. Thank Sir.

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

That gooseneck brush. I need that!

[@donatduguay1584]

Tks for all the litle remainder off thing we forget wen we paint painting and reno

[@JG3G1]

I’ve been painting for over 20 years and I’ve tried various methods. I also use the pivot but for ladders I purchased a 16ft Warner Equalizer. Works like a dream.

[@MrColdwatercanyon]

Equalizer the ticket some 1” thick blocks help shim if needed

[@carolcohen9244]

The Werner or Keller leg extensions are the way to go

[@ivanhristov1978]

Thank you for your great tips and tricks! Much appreciate it! Good luck with your channel !

[@Idahopainter]

Glad to help Ivan

[@Carcar797-p1]

Perfect thanks for the tips. Just saved me $100s

[@fcah333]

What kind of paint did u use on those walls. Thanks. Love all your videos.

[@jeepredboyrascallivefaceyo92]

i learn so much from watching youre channel paintlife . watching youre videos help me at work

[@Idahopainter]

Glad to help

[@jeepredboyrascallivefaceyo92]

@@Idahopainter 💯💯💯

[@philliplapkovitch311]

Thanks for the tips watch most of your funny thing is my partner I tried to show him some of your tips he stuck in old School mode I'll try anyting to make a good job and done faster to go to the next and I'm older than him 😆😆

[@dalesworld1308]

Sometimes you're lucky and get an extension plank in there. Sometimes.

[@joeb9848]

Never easy doing double foyers. Back in the day had two guys on either side of 24ft extension ladder holding it while I climb up and cut around light fixture lol

[@richardsnipes1187]

how does that ladder A pro extension climb and accessory cost and is there a cheaper version i can by

[@geteducated5781]

I'am a painter as well but John here has monster arms. Did you do bodybuilding? Or just heave brushes?

[@steveniannuccilli3147]

How do you not get lines all up the wall? I find that I have to do too half and then bottom half because of the narrowness of the space

[@jared6163]

I am a one man paint crew. Sometimes have to use the ladder pivot on roofs with no spotter talk about sketchy. I just can't afford a helper or can't find a decent reliable one who doesn't want 18 dollars an hour to learn to paint

[@Idahopainter]

OK

[@jared6163]

@@Idahopainter OK?

[@MrBobbyw121]

@@jared6163 lol, what a reply! Seems robotic.

[@ryanmarshall9146]

So what’s your favorite interior wall paint?

[@thebuckeyepainter]

Did you only do one coat?

[@corysturgis6660]

You know he did. I call him the one coat wonder. He's a nice guy but rarely puts on 2 coats and he should everytime

[@madeinoman7841]

Am a professional paintr