Can romex be spray painted ?

electrofelon said:
I usually try to have a pre dry wall meeting with the drywallers to go over which wires to poke out and which to just cover over...... Usually it goes poorly. Either there is a language barrier, or when they speak English I usually get this blank dumbfounded look like I'm trying to teach them quantum mechanics or something.
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When we built out house just over a year ago, I tried. I got the grin, the head bob up and down, and an "uh-huh." I knew right then and there that it was all "no comprendo".

As someone who doesn't wire houses everyday as a profession, I struggle with making up boxes before or after drywall/paint. I like the peace of mind making them up before drywall so I know where every wire goes since it is fresh on my brain and I can see them all. But on the other hand, I like to leave jacket on and sharpie the runs on the jackets so that after the migrant workers cover it all and make an absolute mess, I can pull the jackets and the wires are all clean and colored again. This risks the sharpie markings not being legible and confusion. Hopefully this question isn't too far off-topic. How do you residential folks do it mostly?
 
4x4dually said:
When we built out house just over a year ago, I tried. I got the grin, the head bob up and down, and an "uh-huh." I knew right then and there that it was all "no comprendo".

As someone who doesn't wire houses everyday as a profession, I struggle with making up boxes before or after drywall/paint. I like the peace of mind making them up before drywall so I know where every wire goes since it is fresh on my brain and I can see them all. But on the other hand, I like to leave jacket on and sharpie the runs on the jackets so that after the migrant workers cover it all and make an absolute mess, I can pull the jackets and the wires are all clean and colored again. This risks the sharpie markings not being legible and confusion. Hopefully this question isn't too far off-topic. How do you residential folks do it mostly?
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I always strip and make up all spices in boxes at rough in. The conductors going to each device are neatly nestled (🤗) in the box in the correct position, so even if they get painted it doesn't really matter.
 
I had this happen on a job I was on once. GC got a new airless sprayer and was so excited to use it (residential basement) that he sprayed the ceiling before I did the rough-in. That part was fine, but after I did rough-in, he came back and "touched up" the new Romex with canned (high VOC) spray paint and it significantly softened the sheathing (gooey). I did a post on here about that circa 2012.

Mark
 
garbo said:
If the local inspect gave his approval I would want to cover myself by having the licensed & insured painter place in writing the manufacturer & spec sheet on primer & top coat ,date & sign it.
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This has never happened in the history of civilization.
 
4x4dually said:
When we built out house just over a year ago, I tried. I got the grin, the head bob up and down, and an "uh-huh." I knew right then and there that it was all "no comprendo".

As someone who doesn't wire houses everyday as a profession, I struggle with making up boxes before or after drywall/paint. I like the peace of mind making them up before drywall so I know where every wire goes since it is fresh on my brain and I can see them all. But on the other hand, I like to leave jacket on and sharpie the runs on the jackets so that after the migrant workers cover it all and make an absolute mess, I can pull the jackets and the wires are all clean and colored again. This risks the sharpie markings not being legible and confusion. Hopefully this question isn't too far off-topic. How do you residential folks do it mostly?
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Around here, we need to make-up the grounds for rough-in, so no choice but to strip them.

Mark
 
4x4dually said:
When we built out house just over a year ago, I tried. I got the grin, the head bob up and down, and an "uh-huh." I knew right then and there that it was all "no comprendo".

As someone who doesn't wire houses everyday as a profession, I struggle with making up boxes before or after drywall/paint. I like the peace of mind making them up before drywall so I know where every wire goes since it is fresh on my brain and I can see them all. But on the other hand, I like to leave jacket on and sharpie the runs on the jackets so that after the migrant workers cover it all and make an absolute mess, I can pull the jackets and the wires are all clean and colored again. This risks the sharpie markings not being legible and confusion. Hopefully this question isn't too far off-topic. How do you residential folks do it mostly?
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Receptacles are no problem unless they are switched. Even then, I usually use xx-3 cables so the switched part is different color. If it is a GFCI, I twist the hot and neutral together to show they're the line. For switches, I do as "electro cat" does and put the switch legs in the box in the order they go in left to right, or vice versa. Also on switches, I like to put the hot in the KO of the box that is next to the stud so I always know which is the hot. If there is a feed through, I twist the blacks together, hot & feed blacks that is.

On grounds, I take a tiny Sharpie and put "G" on them to identify them!:)
 
Little Bill said:
Receptacles are no problem unless they are switched. Even then, I usually use xx-3 cables so the switched part is different color. If it is a GFCI, I twist the hot and neutral together to show they're the line. For switches, I do as "electro cat" does and put the switch legs in the box in the order they go in left to right, or vice versa. Also on switches, I like to put the hot in the KO of the box that is next to the stud so I always know which is the hot. If there is a feed through, I twist the blacks together, hot & feed blacks that is.

On grounds, I take a tiny Sharpie and put "G" on them to identify them!:)
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If you smash the ends flat you could stamp a G on them.
 
CoolWill said:
One thing I have learned from this forum is that apparently everything is a code violation.
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That's why it is so important to build a rapport with your inspectors. Choose your battles wisely when respectfully arguing with them. Sometimes winning a very small argument today can cause you years of heartache with them. Sometimes it's just easier to comply with them, build their ego and thank them for teaching you something, even when you know better. If the "correction" doesn't cost you money or a lot of time, just do it and move on.
 
Rick 0920 said:
That's why it is so important to build a rapport with your inspectors. Choose your battles wisely when respectfully arguing with them. Sometimes winning a very small argument today can cause you years of heartache with them. Sometimes it's just easier to comply with them, build their ego and thank them for teaching you something, even when you know better. If the "correction" doesn't cost you money or a lot of time, just do it and move on.
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Sometimes you give a little, but other times you have to stand your ground. Inspectors are public servants, not gods.
 
And, some of us would change when you show an actual, logical code argument. I have found a few (usually minor) things that I had been making people do for years that wasn't actually a code violation... and the reason it went on for years is that no one ever questioned it.

That does not just happen to incompetent inspectors. Sometimes it can be worse if you have a reputation for knowing your stuff because people just assume you are right when you say things and don't question it. These things just slip through every once in awhile.
 
NEC Inspector said:
Sometimes it can be worse if you have a reputation for knowing your stuff because people just assume you are right when you say things and don't question it.
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I seem to have that kind of reputation among my regular inspectors. They know that I know my stuff.
 
LarryFine said:
I seem to have that kind of reputation among my regular inspectors. They know that I know my stuff.
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On one of my permitted DIY projects after rough in, the newish building inspector introduced herself and told me the electrical inspector said not to worry too much about the electrical, as I was one of his sources for code questions.
 
It’s not going to hurt anything. Someone else here said to be careful and use a latex paint to be safe. I learned something new today.

Forget what others say about the markings. Boxes get filled with mud everyday, covering the markings of the wire, and the inspector still passes.


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