Paint It, Stain it, Climb it

All the things paint related in order to make professional climbing volumes.

You will not be painting with your fingers so let’s start with the tools you need. To paint you can use a brush and/or a roller. Rags are also ideal for staining. We have found that using a roller is the easiest and covers the most space at once. They also cover better when applying texture. For the smaller spaces that are harder to get to a brush works great.

For the roller, depending on the size of the volume we prefer the smaller rollers frames, typically 4” or 7” . With the smaller size they are easier to maneuver than the larger ones. This holds true especially when getting closer to the edges. With the roller itself you should be using a 3/4”synthetic nap. They will work best for applying paint over the texture. We have found that getting multiple works best. The paint we will suggest does not do the rollers well. Cleaning them to reuse them seems harder than just using a new one. (3) per paint session is what we typically use. We try to batch painting to use less.

For the brush(es) we suggest using one made out synthetic fiber. The reason is due to the paint used and the nature of usage.

The paint is the most important thing when it comes to getting the professional look and feel. You need to be using a primer. This does not mean using paint and primer combo, rather primer only. Paint and primers are great, but the volumes you will build will need to withstand the abuse of climbing. That being said, the paint and primer will not last the same. For primer we have found that Kilz Premium primer is the best. Its application and adhesion as a base layer aid in the next steps of paint and texture, providing strength and durability. The primer is latex based which is what we need to bring everything together.

Which paint to use and why?

Picking a paint that provides the durability a volume needs has been a process of trail and error and is what everyone wants to know. Most paints just don’t make the cut, they look good at first but quickly rub away and leave you with an ugly volume. They loose the texture you worked so hard to put on leaving you to wonder what to use. The answer we have found is implement paint. It may sound like a foreign paint though it is not. Implement paint means it has additives that make it the go to choice. The additive that we are most interested in is the hardener it contains. This hardener additive provides the durability needed to withstand the abuse volumes go through.

The paint we suggest may sound a little out there but when you put on your volumes with the texture we suggest you will quickly change your mind about it’s weirdness. Rust-oleum Farm Equipment Paint. This implement paint does the job and comes in many different colors, it also comes in quart size and gallon size. (If you want to find other colors you may search sites like Home Depot or Tractor Supply). They do typically have a gloss to them.

When picking your paint, the finish should be matte or satin. To learn about what material we suggest for the texture follow the link to our texture article.

If you are going to do multiply paints, stains, or any combination than keeping them separated is ideal. Masking tape can help in this situation. Scotchblue painters tape will provide sharp clean lines and works well with smooth and textured surfaces.

Get creative with your volumes in the coloring process and if you want to learn how to build professional volumes buy the book. In the book you will learn the best techniques to use when painting and staining. Also, included is many plans for volumes that you can make yourself.