Best way to strip a tin ceiling?

[NetWareHead]

I have an original tin ceiling in my kitchen that I was going to paint this weekend, or so I thought. I have other tin ceilings in this house that I have primed and painted successfully, so I began by surface prepping, by washing it with TSP. After cleaning, I noticed an area of flaking paint so I picked at it with my fingernail. Next thing you know, I was able to slide my entire hand under the paint and expose bare metal. More and more picking followed and now half of the paint flaked off on to the floor.

The remaining paint is really bonded well to the metal and I am trying to figure out a way to get it all off so I can finish the ceiling. No sense in painting the ceiling with potentially unstable paint applied to it. I feel it would be prudent to remove it all and start from scratch. I have to paint this ceiling because when the bare metal is exposed, I found that the sheets are welded to one another, so the weld bead & area is exposed and doesnt look good at all.

I bought 2 types of wire stripping wheels. One did not even touch the paint. The more aggresive one began to grind the paint down to a dust and I immediately stopped. Im certain, given the age of the house (1890) and with that many coats of paint, that this is lead paint. The stuff that came off easily flaked off into potato chips.

So my only safe option is to chemically strip it. I've used paint strippers before but since this is a ceiling, this is a special challenge. I've heard of special ceiling strippers that are more tacky and dont run. I need somethng that would stay up on the ceiling and not drip on me while applying it.

Additionally, I've heard of "sheets" or "squares" of adhesive material that I can apply the stripper to and then adhere them to the ceiling. So in effect, keeping the stripper up there to work on the paint and not dripping. I cannot find this stuff for sale anywhere or know what its called so I can purchase it.

Also, never stripped metal before. Any paint strippers compatible with tin???

 

[Humpy]

I've used Saran Wrap to keep stripper from evaporating too quickly, it might work on the ceiling.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Maybe don't strip it? Just go over the whole deal with a new ceiling material of your choice.

 

[highland145]

Stripper works but the cleanup sucks getting the residue off. And the strongest stripper might not do much. I had to use a heat gun on the old wooden storm door that I refinished. The "heavy duty" stripper got ignored by the paint. 1937 house.

Trying to feather the paint to the metal might work but you'll still have paint dust...not good.

Maybe quicker, furr out the joist and sheet rock. I did that in two rooms with the sagging plaster. The others, I ripped out the plaster. I've got one room left and the plaster will go when I do it.

 

[NetWareHead]

Yeah I'd rather not rip out an authentic tin ceiling. I never knew they welded the sheets like that. It even has tin crown molding and cornices. The seams were sealed with molten lead for such a quality look...

I just need to find a way to keep the stripper up on the ceiling. Removing the ceiling is not an option because of the way it is installed. The only thing I can think of is to use a ladder and stack objects up on the top step that will reach the ceiling. Take a rectangle of plywood, lay some plastic sheeting on top and paint a layer of paint stripper. Take this plywood sheet with the stripper and press it against the ceiling. Come back the next day, remove it and scrape with a plastic stripping knife. Unweildy and time consuming...

 

[highland145]

http://www.finishing.com/60/28.shtml

Huh, oven cleaner.



Yeah, I'd want to keep the tin too.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

You don't have to rip it out to go over it with new material. Depending on how high you ceilings are check out harbor freight 2 in 1 support bar part # 66172. Rather than stack stuff on ladders use those. Makes installing drywall on ceilings much easier too if you decide to go over the whole mess. Great for putting up temporary barriers.

 

[NetWareHead]

You don't have to rip it out to go over it with new material. Depending on how high you ceilings are check out harbor freight 2 in 1 support bar part # 66172. Rather than stack stuff on ladders use those. Makes installing drywall on ceilings much easier too if you decide to go over the whole mess. Great for putting up temporary barriers.

Thats a very handy tool to have, thank you. Going to order!

 

[Subyman]

Yeah I'd rather not rip out an authentic tin ceiling. I never knew they welded the sheets like that. It even has tin crown molding and cornices. The seams were sealed with molten lead for such a quality look...

THANK YOU!!! I hate when people suggest ripping out something like that. If you do take the ceiling down, please, please take it down with care. The tin tiles are worth a lot of money if they are in good shape. I sold around 200lbs of antique tin tiles for over $6000 a few years ago. The stuff is awesome.

I just need to find a way to keep the stripper up on the ceiling. Removing the ceiling is not an option because of the way it is installed. The only thing I can think of is to use a ladder and stack objects up on the top step that will reach the ceiling. Take a rectangle of plywood, lay some plastic sheeting on top and paint a layer of paint stripper. Take this plywood sheet with the stripper and press it against the ceiling. Come back the next day, remove it and scrape with a plastic stripping knife. Unweildy and time consuming...

Unless you want it perfect, you could scrap what you can and give them a rub down with light steel wool. Wipe them and prime. I'd recommend priming with Kilz original. It is oil based, so wear an organic filter mask. Let dry for 24 hours and then paint with whatever you want. There will be imperfections where the paint wasn't completely removed.

To completely remove the paint can be really hard. Brushing on the stripper can work, but you likely need the gel stripper so it sticks. Then you have scrap, light sand, and wash them. Do the Kilz and paint.

Either way it is a decent sized task, but it will look great. Would love to see some pics on the tiles.

 

[echo4747]

whatever method you decide to use.. it would be wise to test and see if you are dealing with a lead based paint. Chances are you probably have several layers of old paint. Many older paints were lead based. If you have leaded paint, will will need to take appropiate precautions for obvious safety/health reasons

 

[Subyman]

whatever method you decide to use.. it would be wise to test and see if you are dealing with a lead based paint. Chances are you probably have several layers of old paint. Many older paints were lead based. If you have leaded paint, will will need to take appropiate precautions for obvious safety/health reasons

I have no doubt at all that there is some lead paint on those tiles. If I had to bet, I'd be 99% sure. They were likely put up there in the 20-40's where they only had lead paint. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you are sanding on it. Make sure to wear gloves and get all the scrapings into the correct waste stream for your area.

 

[NetWareHead]

Would love to see some pics on the tiles.

To all interested, I put up some pics of the tin ceilings in this place. Built 1890, I'd assume the ceilings are probably as old as the structure and in great shape. The pics towards the end of the album show the ceiling in the kitchen after I picked as much of it off as possible. You can see the seam near the electrical box where the sheets were welded together


https://goo.gl/photos/p8V7WsBaqMQUKRmt8

 

[Subyman]

Gorgeous. Really happy to see you keep those. That ceiling would be incredibly expensive today.

 

[Humpy]

Looks like it could be really nice!

Any kind of chemical stripper just seems like a nightmare to me. Multiple coats, and all the dripping, scraping, brushing, and cleaning before priming. I think I would make the preparations, have it media blasted, and be done with it. Lead paint isn't that difficult to deal with.

 

[Robert Russell]

I had 60 tin ceiling tiles I got from an antique dealer. They had many coats of paint.
I got an old oil tank which had been cut in half. An old bathtub would also work.
I filled the tank with water. I put in 4 kilos of baking soda.
I put 2 propane burners under the tank and brought the water to a boil.
I boiled the tiles for about 30 minutes and removed them and pressure washed them.
The paint came right off and left them like new