Tin Ceiling Painting

Painting metal has it’s own challenges… especially when it it recovered material. : Photographer : Chris Leggat via WordSwag

I got your name from the cleaning company that maintains your clients home.

Always great to have a referral. This caller didn’t know we have a website a facebook or even an instagram. She had bought a church ( ! ) and was re-building the interior. The tin ceiling was top of mind and her husband had removed almost all the paint with Aircraft Paint Remover. This is hardcore stripper even to the people who use this stuff on a regular basis. He had thirty that were near ready for re-painting.

She asked if I had any tips. Of course the top tip is always : hire a professional. She laughed and said we like to do all our own stuff but you are an master painter and thought you might be able to provide telephone support.

She had me there. If there is one thing we like to do it’s painting but if there is a second thing it is to educate do it yourselfers on techniques we use that could help with your task. She had read an article on This Old House but wasn’t sure how we would go about it.

Rust spots? : Remove surface corrosion then grab a spray can of rust inhibitive primer and shoot the spots.

Do I need primer? : For sure. This assumes surface has been cleaned throughly and rust issues are taken care of. We would use what is known as a DTM or direct to metal primer. Different manufacturers have different formulations. Some provide primer and an eggshell finish in one coat. You can top coat with any sheen.

How to paint? : We would spray the panels. First Prime the back, install then spray top coat in place. You can get nails in colors to match the finish coat but if you are stuck here is what we do to paint fasteners .

I look forward to seeing how the project turns out even if it isn’t us doing the work. It’s sometime surprising how many calls I get for advice. Always happy to offer expert advice on painting but never sure what the next question may be…