Tin ceiling tiles add character to a home, whether you own an old Victorian or a contemporary home. If happen to own an older home with tin ceiling tiles, consider yourself lucky. The original ceiling tiles are much better in craftsmanship than the mass produced modern ones. However, your tin ceiling tiles may have seen better days; therefore, in need of sprucing up. Rejuvenating your ceiling tiles will bring them back to their glory days and add value to your home.
Materials:
Dust mask
Eye goggles
Gloves
Hoodie, cap or hair cover
Plastic sheeting
Adhesive or painters tape
Drop cloths
Ladder
Fine steel brush
Sponge
Bucket
Water
Liquid detergent
Rags
Putty knife
Vacuum
Paintbrush or paint roller
Artist paintbrush
Paint (use oil based or spray bottle for metals)
Metal polish
Steps:
Prepare your work area. Clear the room by removing furnishings, potted plants, wall art and accessories. Cover light fixtures and walls with plastic sheeting. Place drop cloths on the floor. Make sure to cover all surfaces.
Test painted ceiling tiles for lead. You shouldn’t miss this important precautionary step, especially if you own an older home or if your tiles were painted prior to 1978. Go to the Environmental Protective Agency website for instructions on how to analyze your painted ceiling tiles for lead.
Follow the necessary precautions for ceiling tiles with lead based paint.
Wear protective gear such as dust mask, eye goggles and gloves. Wear a protection for your hair to protect from dusts and debris.
Soak sponge in a mixture of four parts warm water and one part liquid detergent.
Wipe the wet sponge on the surface of the painted or unpainted tin ceiling tiles. Remove the dusts, gunk, debris and other foreign materials.
Remove rusts by scrubbing with fine steel wool. Apply rust remover if rusts persist. Use a putty knife to scrape off stubborn, bigger rusts. Make sure to apply even, light strokes to prevent damaging the tiles.
Remove any peeling paint. It’s not necessary to remove all paint.
Rinse sponge with water. Replace the mixture of warm water and detergent with just plain clean, warm water.
Wipe the ceiling tiles to rinse out the soap from the initial washing or clean up. Wipe off any remaining foreign matter. Let dry for several minutes before painting. Use clean, dry rags to aid in drying time.
Apply a coat of primer for metals. Make sure follow one direction on all tiles. Allow to dry for two hours.
Paint with oil based paint or paint made for metals. Use a spray bottle for metals for ease of application. Spray at an angle in one direction when using spray bottle method. When using paintbrush or roller method, avoid soaking them in too much paint. Removing the excess paint will give a better and even finish. It also allows the texture of the tin ceilings to show. Use an artist paintbrush to paint on the raised detail pattern. For extra pizzazz, try using another shade of color for the details.
Apply metal polish for unpainted tin ceiling tiles.
Additional Reading:
History of Tin Ceilings – http://www.tinceiling.com/company/historytin.php
