Can I Paint Foam Insulation?

[koster88]

Hey Guys! So I'm Finally moving into a big Shop I've been wanting for years. I got the keys yesterday!! 1st thing I need to do something with is this UGLY foam insulation that is all over the Sheet Metal Walls. I dont think I want to put up Walls/Drywall them, just clean up this insulation a bit. Its old...and looks Red/Brown/Nasty/Ugly. Do you think I could just coat it with a white Paint/Wagner Sprayer? Just looking for something that will get me by 2-3 years.

What do you think?

 

[Herb]

Exposed foam? I thought that required some type of fire barrier.

 

[Voi]

Foam can be painted but I'm not sure I'd waste the money if the foam itself doesn't have sufficient fire rating or unless you can coat it with something that does.

Since it is old I'm doubtful it would be fire rated. Likewise, I don't know if fire rated coatings are enough. I wonder if there is something like a EIFS coating that has sufficent fire rating for interior applications?

 

[bgarrett]

run your hand over it. If it feels fuzzy/crumbly, paint aint gunna stick
if it still has the hard shell feel, sure paint it

 

[koster88]

run your hand over it. If it feels fuzzy/crumbly, paint aint gunna stick
if it still has the hard shell feel, sure paint it

Yes, it is Fuzzy/Crumbly. there has to way to make it look better...

 

[bgarrett]

maybe blow it off with air pressure or a power washer? hang around, someone will be along shortly to help you

 

[koster88]

here are some pics of what it looks like:

 

[Motofixxer]

Get some wiring in and slap up some drywall, it's pretty cheap.

 

[CNGsaves]

Think I'd put painting way down on the priority scale.

First plan out electrical, air compressor lines, heating/cooling, lighting, windows, etc. in conjunction with structural "bones" that you'll need to support what you want to do. Thus, may need some stick or metal studs here and there to attach stuff.

Great thing for you, it's an open canvas to make it how you want it, then sheetrock when it's time. Good luck and congrats on your new garage!

 

[koster88]

Get some wiring in and slap up some drywall, it's pretty cheap.

the other 2 walls will have my electrical and Air Hoses. They are already Drywall'ed. I only plan to be in this shop for 2 years or so which is the reason I didn't want to put in the studs/drywall. I just cant stand the look of that insulation. I was hoping there was an in expensive way to make it look better with out Drywalling it.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

If it really bothers you, as it would me, in the interim (between running utilities, sheetrock, & finishing the walls properly) you could get some cheap white glidden speedwell paint at the home depot, water it down lightly, and throw it in a sprayer...

 

[koster88]

If it really bothers you, as it would me, in the interim (between running utilities, sheetrock, & finishing the walls properly) you could get some cheap white glidden speedwell paint at the home depot, water it down lightly, and throw it in a sprayer...

Thats exactly what I want to do. Didn't know if it would "stick" or just crumble/fall off..

 

[rburke65]

Don't know if it will stick or not but try it.......how much can it cost to find out. I'll bet it sticks....unless it Teflon!

 

[Liberty]

buy a roll of house wrap tyveck. it would be white with lettering. but it would not brush off on you when you touch the walls

 

[Big-Foot]

I am uploading some pics right now to photobucket and will share soon.

Yes, you CAN paint foam. Actually, what I'm about to show you will really make it look nice, add a degree of fire protection and will save you a lot of effort down the road.

I had a cellar under my old house that was made up of a dozen different kind of brick and block. It was not a heated area, but I wanted to use it for a wine cellar and make it look reasonably nice.

I had been doing a lot of renovation on this almost 100 year old house, and had been texturing (knock-down) walls and spray texturing ceilings. I thought about the spray texture and how it made even lumpy sheetrock joints all blend in well. Problem is, that ceiling texture is made up of plaster, polyethylene cellulose and styrofoam beads. Looks good but not very tough. Well. Until you mix in 25% vinyl cement with it!

Okay back to business.

Some repairs had been done and cosmetic repairs with spray foam that I cut down to make a somewhat consistent surface..

I sprayed a good exterior latex primer all over the walls and repairs.
Then I mixed up a batch of what I now refer to as Poly-vinyl stucco and sprayed all the walls and ceiling. Let it cure for a few days and then sprayed primer on it again, then sprayed it with semi-gloss latex paint.

This stuff is pretty darned tough and with a minimum amount of effort it made a very dark and dreary coal bin into my bright and cheerful ine cellar.

You can buy the spray texture gun from harbor fright for $15 on sale and it works a charm.

Okay the pics are done uploading.. Here you go..

 

[Big-Foot]

Sorry about the all the pictures...

When I saw your dark and dreary walls it drew an immediate correlation to what I had to deal with.. I was excited that maybe I could actually help out here with my formula!

Well, I hope it helps someone someday..

 

[Motofixxer]

buy a roll of house wrap tyveck. it would be white with lettering. but it would not brush off on you when you touch the walls

That's a good idea, the tyvek could be tacked up back side out so its all white. Its a lil pricey at $110/roll. But it would be easy.

I thought that insulation was old fiberglass, but if it's in fact foam it can be painted. I have seen it done. If there's a Menards near you they should carry Paint n Prime in black 5 gal buckets for $25/bucket. Can't beat that price anywhere.