Replies

1. 
   Cincinnati | Apr 19, 2009 03:14pm | #1

   pure white

   Greg

   •••••••

   Exo 35:30-35

2. 
   BG | Apr 19, 2009 03:54pm | #2

   Dave,

   I'd grab the decision "Linen" and run like hell...make sure you throw away the color charts as you leave. I've just spent two weeks determining an off-white with less yellow...whatever that is. However, I strongly suspect there is a reason why they call it "Ceiling White".

3. 
   northhouguy | Apr 20, 2009 07:37pm | #3

   Dave,

   I don't know how old you are but I find that I need more light than before to see well.  So, I painted my shop ceiling "ceiling white". 

   If you do an actual lighting design there are factors to include for reflectivity of the ceiling/walls & floor.  I didn't do the full calc, (too lazy, or not motivated enough, I guess.) 

   I'm going to paint the walls of my shop high white soon. 

   I'm more concerned with getting light on work surfaces as opposed to stopping glare.  Also, remember, with a cathedral ceiling your sources, (light fixtures), will be further from your work surfaces, so the effective amount of light on the surfaces will be less. 

   This article is pretty technical:  http://www.holophane.com/education/fundamentals.asp

   Here's one that doesn't address wall/ceiling/floor color but has some good info on general lighting:  http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Workshop/WorkshopPDF.aspx?id=2771

   Good luck.

   Fred

1. 
   dave7085 | Apr 21, 2009 07:06am | #7

   Fred,Thanks very much for the information. I have also noticed the need for more light as I get older (just turned 55). I set up lights in my old basement shop based on the Jack Lindsey article, and really appreciated the light. I never would have used as many fixtures if it had not been for this article. My new shop has a cathedral ceiling in 2/3 of the space, so it is hard to exactly follow Jack's recommendations. My plan is to install fluorescent strips over 2/3 of the shop, and for the highest 1/3, put in 4 halogen spots pointing more or less onto my machines. This 1/3 of the shop ranges in height from 12 to 16 feet.As for the color, I think I will go with pure white, unless someone convinces me otherwise. I was in a Sherwin-Williams store over the weekend, and the sales guy told me they had some complaints about "ceiling white" as it sometimes ends up with a blueish tint.Dave

1. 
   zolton | Apr 21, 2009 03:12pm | #8

   Dave,

    You're wise to go with white. The actual tone of it doesn't matter much; the brighter the better.

   Some people have mentioned "ceiling white" here a couple of times. Ceiling white paints are designed for use on ceilings in houses. They're very flat, non-durable paints; ceilings generally don't suffer much wear and tear. I'm not sure I'd use one in a wood shop though, as the flat surface would collect and hold dirt and dust, and cleaning it would result in smudging.

   A better bet (and what I put in my shop years ago) is a semi-gloss paint. It is more reflective than a flat paint, and it is more durable when it comes to cleaning. So far, "cleaning" in my shop has consisted of either running a broom along the ceiling or blowing off the dust with my leaf blower. But still...

   Zolton 

    If you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

1. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Apr 22, 2009 01:27am | #10

   Zolton and Dave, I have found that a "super white" is made by most of the big box brands, I expect to reflect as much lumens as possible. I wonder if it comes in semi-gloss? Paddy

   BTW. I never found the possum but I did find a groundhog in the cabbages last year with the help of Mr. Leoupold the 4th. My neighbor in TN was thrilled .

1. 
   zolton | Apr 22, 2009 01:44am | #11

   Paddy,

   Ever hear that bluegrass song, "Groundhog?"

   "Here comes Sal with a snigger and a grin,

   groundhog grease all over her chin..."

   ZoltonIf you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

2. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Apr 22, 2009 01:59am | #12

   Z, not  yet but I am sure my buddy has. He and his porch performers said that they would teach* me to play my 5 string. paddy

   *I have to provide the beer, I already have a 53' porch.

4. 
   RalphBarker | Apr 20, 2009 08:51pm | #4

   I, too, like the idea of painting it "ceiling white", but then tossing the color chips and calling it "linen" to anyone who asks. Also, be sure to splotch a little paint on the can's label to cover your tracks while still at the task. ;-)

5. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Apr 20, 2009 09:07pm | #5

   pure white

6. 
   boilerbay | Apr 21, 2009 12:05am | #6

   Ceiling white- forget the linen....after 6 months of good productive woodworking it will end up being Linen colored anyway.

7. 
   marti038 | Apr 21, 2009 09:36pm | #9

   I would go with the cheapest color I could fine that's close to white. Probably something pre-mixed. But that's just me.

8. 
   Mackwood | Apr 22, 2009 03:10am | #13

   Dave,

   Each of the large paint mfg's. have a special "white" that's designed to reflect as much light as possible.  It goes by many names.  I would stick to a flat sheen.

   Plastered ceiling in the shop---must be nice!!!

   Regards,

   Mack

    

   "Close enough for government work=measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"