# time-sensitive housepainting question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 24, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-sensitive-housepainting-question/511390 "2009-09-24T17:03:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-sensitive-housepainting-question/511390/1 "2009-09-24T17:03:10Z")
I have to leave for work at 12:30 California time, but here’s my question: I work as an assistant to a nice older guy two days a week. I do everything from laundry to computer maintenance; today I am painting the basement ceiling. The ceiling is rough wooden beams and subfloor. I know from experience that this kind of rough wood is hard to paint. Complicating things is the fact that I will be painting narrow, hard-to-maneuver-in spaces overhead. I’m afraid a sprayer is not an option. Does anyone have any advice or tips for me? I’m planning on using a small roller unless somebody knows better. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-sensitive-housepainting-question/511390/2 "2009-09-24T19:00:04Z")
The only advice I can offer is to use a roller with a thick nap (maybe 1 or 1.5 inches, depending on the roughness), and consider starting with a primer layer. Primers are usually better at adhering to rough surfaces than paint. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2009, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-sensitive-housepainting-question/511390/3 "2009-09-25T00:49:49Z")
Pardon my asking, but why? I’m imagining my basement, with 2X12 joists, and plywood subfloor, and wondering why I would paint it.