If you’re painting tiles that are already installed, then you will want to be precautionary about the preparation steps from the previous section. Painting Tiles that are Still in the Ceiling Don’t worry if you over-tape some areas, you can touch things up with your brush later, but it’s much harder to fix paint that has already been applied. Be sure to thoroughly tape everything evenly, so the paint is aligned. If you’re painting the tiles while they’re installed in the ceiling, use the masking tape to seal off the corners and edges of the ceiling as well as the metal inserts between each tile. While this is a somewhat painstaking task, you will be thankful that you took the time clean before painting! Use one soft cotton towel to clean each tile and then a different one to rinse and dry it. Use a cleaning solution consisting of one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and one gallon of hot water. Painting over any kind of debris will leave an eyesore, so if they’re filthy, you’ll want to clean all of them one tile at a time.

Take the time to clear all items from the room to give yourself space, and then cover the floor with your sheets or drop-cloths.īe sure to clean the tiles, even with a broom or a duster. You should clear everything from the room so that it’s empty because paint could drip from the tiles after you finish and stain furniture. Regardless of how you decide to paint your ceiling tiles, you’ll need to prepare the room and a significant block of time to get the job done. If you are painting the ceiling tiles outside of their frames, you’ll need a metal, self-etching primer to apply to the frames before installing the tiles. Depending on how dirty the tiles are, you’ll also need dishwashing fluid, some cotton towels, and a broom or feather duster. Finally, you’ll want some fabric drop-cloths or sheets on the floor unless you plan to paint the tiles before installing them.įinally, you’ll need a one-gallon and five-gallon bucket to mix your paints and primer. You will also need masking tape to cover the corners and edges of the ceiling as well as the metallic parts in-between the tiles. You’ll need a roller to apply both the paint and primer as well as a nylon brush for touch-ups. Be sure to find a water-based primer as you’ll need to apply this to the surface you want to paint. You’ll need the correct primer for the ceiling as well since the tiles are made of polystyrene. With regard to quantity, you will need about a gallon of paint per 150-200 square feet of ceiling. You can also find many spray paints that work as well. Latex-based or water-based acrylics are the only two kinds you should consider as they don’t contain chemicals that can damage the tiles. Styrofoam ceiling tiles require a specific type of paint that won’t melt or flake. You will also find helpful tips for installing the ceiling tiles after they’ve been painted, ways to prep your work area, and strategies to paint tiles with different types of surfaces.

There are pros and cons to different kinds of paint, brushes, and methods of installation, so you’ll want to make sure you find the right section of the article that fits your situation. Painting tiles that are still in the ceiling.You can paint your styrofoam tiles on your own, but you’ll need to follow these steps: It’s essential to strategize, prepare your workspace, and paint the tiles efficiently with the right materials to avoid problems down the road. Painting styrofoam ceiling tiles can be a challenging process, and there are many potential pitfalls that can lead to disaster. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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