Monday, August 31, 2009

Refinish A Copper & Tin Ceiling

Copper and tin ceilings were commonplace in homes dating to the early 1800s and early 1900s. The copper on the tin ceilings was simply an overlay or plating to create a shiny copper appearance on the tin metal. A tin ceiling can be refinished to its original luster with replacement ceiling tiles or painted for a refreshing appearance to the original tile.


Instructions


1. Tape plastic sheeting up around the doorway of the room. Lay protective sheeting over the floor and tape around the baseboards to protect the floor.








2. Apply a paint remover paste to the tin ceiling, following the label directions. Allow the remover to stand. Carefully scrape away the old paint with a plastic putty knife. Discard the paint into a plastic bucket for disposal.


3. Wash the tin ceiling with a mixture of 1 tablespoon dish detergent and 1 gallon water. Allow the tin tiles to dry for 24 hours.


4. Apply an oil-based or metallic spray paint to the surface of the tile. Spray in even, sweeping motions until the entire tile surface is covered.








5. Remove the plastic sheeting and discard.

Tags: plastic sheeting