Yes, you can paint scaffold boards if you’re not planning to use them or scaffolding. You should avoid using plastered or painted planks for scaffolding. If you’re planning on using the boards for other purposes or DIY projects, you can paint the boards any colour you want. Here’s how you can paint your reclaimed scaffold boards.
How to paint scaffold boards
Scaffold boards can be used either for indoor or outdoor projects and this will determine how you will paint them. You also need to consider the final look you want to achieve. Follow these steps to paint your scaffold board: clean the surface, apply primer, use a brush or roller to apply paint, and let it dry before adding a second coat.
Step 1: Preparation
Scaffolding planks come in different sizes, so you need to cut scaffolding boards according to the right size depending on what you’re making. Do you intend to make some bespoke furniture or perhaps a garden fence or decking? You should cut out any cracked or broken part of the plank that cannot be salvaged especially if you’re using reclaimed boards.
Step 2: Sanding
Usually, scaffold planks are pretty rough and because of their usage on scaffolding, they can also come with dents. Sanding allows you to achieve a smooth surface before you start painting. It also ensures that you get a smooth professional finish.
Depending on what you’re working on, you can use an orbital or belt sander or you can also do it manually using sandpaper. A belt sander is an ideal option if you’re looking to save time because it’s efficient, fast and less tiring.
Step 3: Paint the board
You should ensure that the board is properly dusted to remove any particles on the surface. Once this is done, you can now paint whatever colour you wish. If you’re using treated boards, you should ensure that they’re completely dried to avoid paint locking in the moisture. If this happens, the board will rot faster and the paint won’t last long.
Step 4: Apply the right finish
Whether you’re planning to use your boards indoors or outdoors is a crucial aspect you need to consider when choosing the perfect finish. The right finish can also help you give your furniture more character or enhance its durability.
If you’ve decided to make indoor furniture with your scaffold planks, staining will give them more character. You can opt for oil tints and varnishes because oil products are easily absorbed thanks to the textured nature of scaffold boards.
Learn more thoroughly whether you should wax or varnish your scaffold boards for your project.
If you have used the boards for an outdoor project, you can either use a water-based or oil-based sealer. The oil-based sealer gives more weather-resistant protection compared to the water-based sealer. You can use a brush or lint-free piece of cloth to apply the sealer for an even look.
Can you paint treated scaffold boards?
Yes, you can paint over pressure-treated scaffold boards as long as they are properly dried. If there’s a high moisture content in the planks, the paint will start peeling, blistering or changing in colour with time.
Whether you’re embarking on a DIY project or repurposing scaffold planks, you can paint them any colour based on your preferences. However, it’s advisable not to use painted boards on scaffolding because the paint makes it hard to detect any defects such as rot and breakage which compromises safety.