Paint Colour for Workshop

[malcolm]

Is white emulsion a real problem for the walls and ceilings for reflecting UV from welding and causing arc eye? Noticed it mentioned a a possible issue couple of times on here. Would magnolia be any better?

My new workshop does not have any natural light yet. Whatever paint I stick on will be fairly temporary as much of the structure of the workshop might be fiddled with next year (got a Grand Design going on).

 

[hotrodder]

It can be, burning the backs of your ears and neck are more likely IMO than arc eye- done the former a few times, never had arc eye*. My take is white paint to make the w/shop as light and airy as possible and a mobile welding curtain type deal which does double duty i.e. helps keep sparks/grinding dust and the like from spreading as far


* If you wear safety specs/leave them on while welding then your chances of getting arc eye from reflections/someone else welding nearbye fall to pretty much zero

 

[astro_al]

White paint REALLY helped to brighten up my workshop and make it more usable. I hertily recommend it.

I would use it and then take other steps to ensure you are correctly covered up while welding.

I wouldn't be concerned about low amp mig work. If you're doing mid / high amp tig stuff, then just ensure everything is covered. I have two lids, partly for this reason, the first is normal, so easy to throw on and off for general use, the other has a face seal for use with a powered air supply (speedglas adflo) - also stops UV sneaking in round the sides etc.

Al.

 

[Paul.]

Its only really a potential problem if there are several people welding, even then low amp work wont be a problem, everywhere I have ever worked has had either white or magnolia walls, and have never known anyone get arc eye or burn as a result, sometimes the flickering shadows can be a bit of a distraction to others and is usually dealt with in fab shops with the use of portable screens,

 

[malcolm]

Thanks, makes more sense as I'll not be doing a lot of welding over the next few months, it's usually low amp, and I miss natural light. New workshop used to be an above ground cellar.

There was a big window in front of the welding bench in the old workshop but I'm not sure what to do with the new one as a window would be right on the street beside the pavement. Thinking about putting windows in the roof.

 

[langy]

My walls & ceiling are all brilliant white, never been a problem to me

 

[Luke]

Having painted my brick workshop white, I would definitely recommend it.

 

[Epicyclic]

White with a bit of magnolia as I ran out
Painted behind some racking and that has really helped when looking in boxes for bits.

 

[steve.h]

Maybe flat mat would be better than and sheen or V silk as its less reflective...

 

[Burdekin]

This is one part of my workshop that I painted white, a before and after pic for you attached. I've used Magnolia in my small workshop but it has a window and is easier to light.