Benchwork: To Paint Or Not To Paint?

[MisterBeasley]

I wasn't going to paint mine, but since the layout is in the family room, my wife insisted. So, I let her paint it. [:D] No, really!

[MAbruce]

I primed all my woodwork before assembling because I have a basement that can get damp (humid) during the warmer months. I also model in N-scale, and figure that even a minute shift could translate into track problems. My layout has been operational for four years now and not a hint of track issues. The only thing I wished I did was to put on a second coat of brown paint on top of the bench work to cover over the white primer. It would have made doing groundcover a little easier.

[Tom Bryant_MR]

I'm in central Texas and in the garage. Humidity and temp swing greatly as we change from our only two seasons, hot and cold [:)]. I'm going to paint mine top to bottom and front to back because of the humidity.

[tomikawaTT]

To quote Rex Roberts (Your Engineered House), "It is not necessary to paint wood in order to preserve it." If you are planning to have your benchwork masquerade as furniture, by all means stain it mahogany, or cherry, or whatever matches the rest of your house. If, on the other hand, it will all disappear under scenery, why bother? The only thing that has to look pretty is the valence.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for replying Don. I was planning on painting the entire assembly, or nothing at all. I was told by an old carpenter many years ago, if you paint something once, you will ALWAYS have to paint it (garage floor, decking, etc.). I just think painting the benchwork will seal the wood, and give it a finished look. Once again, I think I answered my own question. I plan on having fascia cover half-way down, and skirting of some sort to floor. But given that the wood is pine, it needs to be sealed in some sort of fashion, and not left exposed. Just my thoughts, until someone talks me out of being obsessive-compulsive.

Mike

[Don Z]

If you decide to paint the benchwork, try to paint all exposed sides of the wood. If you only paint the front, for example, the backside can soak up moisture from the air and cause the wood to warp.

Don Z.

[Anonymous]

Except for adding 2 more sway braces, my benchwork is complete. It is a 4' X 8' L-girder layout with joists. Is it recommended to paint the benchwork to seal the wood, or am I just being compulsive? It is located in my basement, where in the summer it is always cools, and in the winter, it is always warm. It is the most neutral (temperature-wise) room / area in my home.

Just asking, any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Mike S.