Hi everyone,
Is it OK to pound nails that are pointing straight downward to the side so that paint doesn't drip down like rain? And, so that no one stabs themselves (I'm thinking of people playing wii games...)

(We're planning to rent a sprayer to paint our basement ceiling this week...hence the question.)

Above the basement ceiling are extensive hardwood floors and some tile. My concern is damaging the flooring above due to bad hammer swinging!

Here's a picture of what I mean, in case you can't picture it:


thanks!

 

...Well, IMO, I wouldnt consider that a 'ceiling' ..!! - Obviously its just the exposed underside of the subfloor above.
You have a valid concern re: 'pounding ' the nails sideways..
Why not make it a ceiling by putting material over the floor joists?..unless there are other issues we dont know about?

 

Jatco,
thanks for your quick response!

You ask a good question. Here are the reasons:
1. removal of drop ceiling allowed us to gain 2-3 inches. Not willing to go back to drop ceiling, as removal was disgusting and because of the added ceiling height.
2. drywall ceiling too expensive for budget at the moment, AND we are worried about access to kitchen/baths upstairs.

We've decided for now to keep it simple and paint (via airless paint sprayer) the joists/subfloor for an industrial sort of look. There are examples of this online:

Google Image Result for http://www.krisrzepkowski.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/tough-angles.gif

Google Image Result for http://www.roscojames.com/fsbo/images/BsmtFin1.jpg

So anwyay, that's why we're doing this. If we decide we hate it, we can always easily add drywall later (after we redo the kitchen, when hopefully leaks are less likely).

If I should leave the nails in the unfinished ceiling alone, I'll do that. I know the likelihood that someone will hurt themselves is minimal. But if it won't really matter, I'll go ahead and try to bend the nails with a hammer.

 

...gotchya .. I like the #2 idea. Instead of banging the nails with a hammer (unless your thinking of using the 'claw') - to bend them over instead..?!? - with pliers or other !!

 

OK, so you are saying it would be better for my existing flooring to avoid the hammer?

Maybe pliers would be OK?

I'm trying to break my streak of creating many more problems than we already had with my do-it-yourself hijinks.

 

Get a pair of 12" end nippers. You should be able to cut them almost flush.

Or maybe an oscillating saw. Make a shield from a piece of metal flashing with a nail size hole to protect the wood if you think it is necessary

 

I don't think pounding the nails over will make any difference with the nails dripping paint [unless you pound them into the subfloor]

What color do you intend to spray the ceiling? Light colors will make any cracks in the wood slow, also latex paint will likely show rust on the nails. The only way to stop the rust would be to coat the nails with a solvent based primer.

I don't know how much spraying experience you have but be mindful of the overspray - it can and will go everywhere!

 

Well, I'm going to do a flat black. I don't like the idea of white or lighter colors for lots of reasons--cracks in wood will show, but also so will every cobweb and all dust. I'm hoping the black ceiling recedes/disappears.

I am headed to the hardware store today to buy tons of plastic sheeting. should be a great time. I am not looking forward to the prep.

Do you think it will be a problem to just leave the nails?

 

Dremel the nails off, but plan on spending at least a day on that job alone. You could always friction fit 1/2" foam insulation board up into the joist space, pressing it onto the nails, then paint it all black.

 

How about in the area where the Wii games will be played, you add a cover to prevent people from hitting them. It can be be simple like taking some foam board and sticking it onto the nails. Or you can add some wood strips by the subfloor and attach plywood to those strips.

 

OK. I am going to try foam board. That seems easiest, and this project has snowballed way out of control. So easy is good. (Today, I found myself demolishing very old, very filthy and surprisingly very well-built cabinets made out of plywood/paneling...Now that's finished but I'm no closer to painting.)

 

You can paint the foam outside and just do the beams with a roller. Use a little construction adhesive when you put the foam up.

The problem with a Dremel tool is you will go through a lot of carbide disks even if you use the expensive heavy duty ones. I still think 12" end nipper or an oscillating saw is best. Probably the latter will cut a bit closer.

 

I would use a few dabs/beads of foamboard adhesive or at least some caulk, between the foam and plywood, to hold it in place.

Cutting the board won't be a big deal.

Depending on the heating/ac and such it might help with both heat/cool and somewhat with sound for when you really crank the volume.

 

I've painted a couple of basement ceilings and several commercial ceilings with flat black. It looks good but you may need more lighting. Rust can still come thru dark latex paints but it's usually a LOT harder to see.

 

well, I went to the store and passed on the foamboard. It's a HUGE piece! I didn't realize how big it was. Then I thought I'd see if others had responded with other ideas.

I guess I will go with the nippers.

We already did the lighting actually--12 recessed lights. It looks SO much better down there now, even without the basement painted! (Previous lights were crappy flourescent tubes.) Unfortunately we did not upgrade the lighting in the hideous laundry area, but oh well. It's not like I enjoy laundry anyway.