Some basements have a drop down false ceiling, that way tiles easily be removed when heating ducts need cleaning.

What do you think would be the problem? Of course, you wouldn't want to use a corrosive paint, but I wouldn't use a high VOC paint in a house anyway.

Electricians have been told to paint their wires for years, and not just the outer protective sheathing.

NEC 200.7 (C)

(2) Where a cable assembly contains an insulated conductor for single-pole, 3-way or 4-way switch loops and the conductor with white or gray insulation or a marking of three continuous white stripes is used for the supply to the switch but not as a return conductor from the switch to the switched outlet. In these applications, the conductor with white or gray insulation or with three continuous white stripes shall be permanently reidentified to indicate its use by painting or other effective means at its terminations and at each location where the conductor is visible and accessible.

So, Fred (BTW, I enjoy your comments on other posts), everything is still identifiable if painted and painting everything is not a code violation? Then I guess the issue is one of aesthetics. The photos of painted exposed ceilings on Houzz look so .... tidy. My exposed basement ceiling is a chaotic mess of wires, tubes, pipes, ducts, joists, and insulation - NOTHING tidy about it.

The paint makes everything look more tidy. Painting in general should be no problem. Some thing, paint doesn't stick to that well. I keep trying to think of any real code reasons why not, but can't think of any if the right products are used on the right surfaces. PEX or any plastic pressurized lines (ie gas and water) may have something in their product literature against it, but i dont remember because i never tried it.

Without quoting the code verbatim on this, the biggest problem with just painting the ceiling is the interpretations of the local inspector. In a non finished/ occupied basement, they usually allow the wiring to go all over the place. If you paint it and call it finished, they usually want the wires run in a more orderly fashion and protected (more) from damage. It has to do with people using the wiring etc for hanging things like clothes from them. Although, I fail to see what is keeping them from hanging things before paint.

rocket - would you mind posting a picture of your basement ceiling?

I painte a basement ceiling. you have to use a sprayer and if the construction used pine, either go for a white with some brown in it or use a primer first.

Sorry doctornancy, I couldn't find any pictures which included the ceiling. I know the paint was Christopher Lowell Huckleberry Dust, walls were Potato, and trim was Almond Paste.

Rocket - when you painted all that junk in the ceiling, did it disappear, sort of?

Yes, it wasn't perfect but it all disappeared sufficiently for us. Here are 2 pix I found on the Internet (they're not mine). The first shows the difference in a ceiling only partially painted. The second one is very similar to the color we used. I think the darker color shows less shadows so seems to camouflage all the junk better than a light color, just my opinion.

Thanks, Rocket.

So did you removed the insulation on the ductwork? Our HVAC recommends we don't so I'm researching what type of paint to use on the silver tape that goes around the ductwork

put in drywall; decided on a more "finished" look.

thanks. I'm going to try it and see what happens and let you know and show pictures (if it comes out ok) It had a drop ceiling and after we removed it the basement has 9' ceilings which will give it a lot height once painted. Someone else suggested paint ceiling and walls the same color and that's a great idea.

Best to you.

http://www.houzz.com/user/doctornancy doctornancy, so sorry you didnt paint! I was scrolling eagerly to the finished product.

I wan't brave enough, but I do like my finished product.

doctornancy- what is to be afraid of posting on Houzz, lol??

Gosh, this post is almost 2 years old,,, where does the time go ;(

For old time sake and tomorrow is *National Belly Laugh Day*, so here is something YOU did a long time a go in a far away fun place;)

Margo , time DOES go by fast! Our most valuable asset really is TIME. Best wishes to you... and wish me well with my unfinished basement and other house rehab. :)

1818 Federal- do you have a dilemma out?

Margo, not afraid to post, afraid to leave an exposed ceiling and paint it black.

Though........ some posters should indeed be scared after posting certain comments!

I would not be afraid to leave an exposed ceiling and paint it black. I think it would be awesome;)

Hi Margo , sorry for delay (no notification). Yes, I have a a few "design dilemma" posts. I think I need a designer (sigh).

1) getting useability in unfinishable basement (help!)

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/functional-basement-fiberglass-insulation-low-ceiling-dsvw-vd~4401560[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/functional-basement-fiberglass-insulation-low-ceiling-dsvw-vd~4401560)

2) wood expansion/contraction causing cracks

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/keep-recessed-window-spackling-from-cracking-dsvw-vd~4389872[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/keep-recessed-window-spackling-from-cracking-dsvw-vd~4389872)

1818-- I checked out your dilemmas but they are way above my pay grade. Yes, I think you might need more than a :*designer* ... good luck and keep the faith that there will be an answer...

Thanks Margo! http://www.houzz.com/user/margo-corpening

So I realize from my Nov. 13, 2016 I never posted my finished photos. This is a home we completed in the Atlanta Historic Collier Heights community. The bar was already in place. Pictures are from different angles and 1 virtual staged photo for listing purposes. The flooring is actually rolled vinyl. The home is Mid Century and we had a lot of fun completing. I think the white ceiling really opened it up. Considered black, but thought it would make the room top heavy.

HausZwei -- what is the height on that ceiling? Guessing less than 8 feet because it's a historic home?

No once we removed the drop ceiling we were thrilled when we discovered they were 9’ tall. Interesting history for this neighborhood. Historic Collier Heights in Atlanta is on the national historic and state Registry because it’s one of the few neighborhoods in the United States that were designed, built, sold and purchased by African Americans back in the 1950s-1960’s. Historic Collier Heights history

We've primed our basement ceiling and want to go with white. What kind of paint/color did you use???

Hi, pkiousis. I believe your question should go to HausZwei. Perhaps he/she will answer. It's an OLD post. I ended up finishing my ceilings (drywall) and painting with flat white. Best to you on your project.

@Strategic Home Improvements we painted it white. thought about black, but the white just opened it up. the homeowner was thrilled, though we remodeled and sold it as spec

Realize this is very old - but what paint did you end up using? Did you find it covered the HVAC and silver tape OK? Also, do you have any tips to prep the surface?

We used a standard latex paint, I believe maybe Sherwin-Williams. We did the typical prep work. It was a house we flipped, but don't believe there were any problems afterward.

We did this too - Sherwin Williams flat Dover White - sprayed by a painting contractor, held up great and yes they sprayed EVERYTHING up there 😅