Ceiling tiles are one of the most popular materials for ceiling finishing, affordable and at the same time quite convenient. Most often, the tiles are left in their original white color, agreeing with the proposed relief pattern. However, some owners are not going to put up with white and want to paint the tiles any other color they want. And they are absolutely right - thanks to this move, the interior can be transformed and even radically change. Another thing is how to do it correctly and without unnecessary problems.
What can you paint?
Ceiling tiles are good in several ways. It can be easily washed with a damp cloth and vacuumed. It lasts an average of ten years, is of high quality, environmentally friendly and has a lot of shapes and colors, not to mention designs. However, not every tile can be taken and painted. Thus, plastic and laminated tiles cannot be painted. The paint will ruin the structure and appearance such tiles, but on laminated ones it won’t last at all.
There are types of tiles that are painted individually before sticking to the ceiling, while others are painted after the gluing process.
The most common and affordable foam tile can be painted water-based paint, which fits perfectly on this material and is safe for human health.
Ceiling tiles have a wide selection of colors and textures
There is a type of tile that is painted only with acrylic mixtures, but it is problematic to find it on the market, since polystyrene foam occupies almost the entire niche ceiling tiles.
There are also seamless tiles, the properties of which appear only after painting.
Paint selection
As is already clear from the previous words, water-based emulsion and acrylic paint are the best options for ceiling tiles. With all their good qualities, there is no point in considering other options. Considering how many variants of these two paints are now sold on the shelves of the country, choosing the right one for a specific tile will not be difficult. The good paint you choose should have the following qualities:
— Required density;
- Durability;
— Resistance to moisture and the appearance of microorganisms;
— Resistance to cleaning and washing;
— Acceptable gloss indicator.
To avoid problems during painting, first apply paint to the main area with a roller, not reaching the edges, and then finish painting the edges with a brush
Acrylic paint
This paint has become the most popular option for painting tiles and has earned people's love for its quality, variety of shades and ability to dry quickly. Acrylic paint has a number of attractive properties:
— Thanks to its rich colors, it can give an amazing look to rooms;
— Resistant to external influences;
— It is easy and convenient to apply even with complex repairs;
— Harmless to human and animal health;
- Does not have a sharp unpleasant odor;
— Vapor permeable;
- Excellent level of elasticity.
Acrylic paint lays down in a dense, uniform layer, does not collect dust, is resistant to temperature changes and generally to any temperature conditions, and is resistant to moisture.
But this paint also has disadvantages - after a certain time it begins to wear off a little, and its cost makes you think a little about the advisability of purchasing it. The question arises: “Isn’t it worth choosing a water-based emulsion?”
Acrylic paint is good for its moisture resistance and non-toxicity
good technical specifications and water-based paint also has a variety of shades. It also has a number of advantages:
— Compared to acrylic paint, its cost is much more attractive;
— It has a high level of vapor permeability;
— It is easy to apply when painting;
— It does not pose a threat to human health;
- Does not have an unpleasant odor.
Water-based emulsion has one big weakness - it has poor moisture resistance and therefore accumulates dirt.
A logical question that talks about the difficulty of choosing between two completely equivalent options has a fairly simple answer: you need to think first not about saving, but about how to choose the paint that suits you best with the best characteristics. Samples of tiles painted with both paints in the photo can help you in your choice.
Water-based paint is vapor-permeable, easy to apply to the surface and has a relatively low cost
There is another way out - to use a third option in the form of enamel or oil-based paint. This will lead to cost savings, but to some extent will compromise health. It is for this reason that this approach has not been considered by specialists for a long time.
Once the paint has been chosen, it's time to prepare the room for painting. First of all, we need to protect the walls and floor from splashes and drops of paint.
All things must be removed from the dyeing “landfill”, with the exception of perhaps massive ones that are difficult to move. These should be covered with newspapers in several layers, secured with tape. You can cover the baseboards and floor using the same method.
Work clothes for painting will come in very handy, as will glasses for your eyes. And if the first is a desirable condition, then the second is, in principle, necessary.
The painting itself consists of five stages:
- We cover the joints of the tiles with putty and thereby give the ceiling, after painting it evenly, an even plaster look.
- You should have already prepared paint on hand - a specific color or a mixture of several shades - all this is selected in advance. To obtain a rough texture, add a little sand to the mixture.
- Laminate tiles must be cleaned before painting, otherwise lumps will form during the process.
- The paint is applied with a roller, starting from any corner. In this case, there is no need to reach the edge of the walls.
- The remaining unpainted edges of the ceiling are covered with paint using a small brush and as carefully as possible so as not to damage the wallpaper.
Acrylic sealant can be a good substitute for putty - it has the ability to dissolve in water.
By following these rules, you will achieve the best possible painting of your ceiling tiles. For best results, it is recommended to apply two or three coats of paint.
Photo gallery of painting ceiling tiles
Seal the joints with putty 
Preparing paints
Everyone loves the idea of finishing the ceiling with foam tiles. Inexpensive foam decor can be glued with your own hands in a matter of hours, and you can get an almost perfect geometric pattern, design, decorate the ceiling in the Baroque style, and decorate the corners and center with stucco molding.
But this wonderful material has a very serious drawback: sooner or later, foam tiles become gray and dull from house dust. Regular washing partly saves the situation, but quite quickly the efficiency of washing drops, and a sensible idea comes to mind - how to paint the foam ceiling tiles to solve the problem once and for all.
A rational approach to painting ceiling tiles
If your plans for renovating an apartment or house include adding foam tile decor to the ceiling, be prepared for the fact that sooner or later you will have to paint the foam ceiling tiles. The process of aging and loss of appearance is inherent in the nature of the material:
- In most cases, the surface of the foam, covered with tiny, barely visible micropores, very quickly becomes overgrown with a condensed film of everything that is in the air. If the ceiling tiles are glued in the kitchen, then the overgrowing process is accelerated tenfold;
- By its nature, polystyrene foam, even when glued to a concrete ceiling, has a very good ability to be electrified by static electricity, so even on laminated foam tiles, dust collects an order of magnitude more than on paper or varnished wood.
Advice! In some cases, the manufacturer of ceiling tiles directly indicates in the accompanying documentation the need to paint the decorative foam ceiling.
As a rule, these are grayish-white ceiling tiles with a simple ornament or design. It is best to paint such material immediately after applying the sticker; this will still have to be done, since even in its original form the ceiling finish looks too budget-friendly.
Some types of ceiling tiles are best painted twice, for example, with a pattern that imitates carvings on marble or other decorative stone. The first undercoat of paint with toner is applied to the tiles and dried to a low-tack condition, after which the varnish is manually rubbed with a pearlescent or golden sheen, and only after that the foam decor is glued to the ceiling surface. If it is convenient for you, you can do all the same operations on the tiles already glued to the ceiling.
Paint options for foam ceiling tiles
Before you try to paint the ceiling tiles with the first paint that comes to hand, it is advisable to find out what type of paint will work best for a particular type of foam decor. The problem is that the recipe and composition of foam for the manufacture of finishing is constantly being improved, substances are added - stabilizers, antioxidants, which do not allow white tiles to turn yellow under the influence of atmospheric oxygen and ultraviolet radiation. Even certain types of foam tiles are produced with a polymer coating made of vinyl, polypropylene and epoxy polymer.
If possible, the question of whether it is possible to paint foam ceiling tiles with a certain type of varnish or primer should be asked to the manager or salesperson of the salon where the material was purchased.
Today, there are three types of paints that you can safely use to paint a foam ceiling without fear for its integrity:
For your information! To paint a ceiling surface lined with foam tiles, any paint that does not contain polar solvents is suitable.
Polystyrene foam is almost instantly destroyed by nitro paints, alkyd enamels and varnishes, any alcohol-containing materials, lower hydrocarbons and their chlorine-substituted products. You cannot use varnishes and paints containing acetone, alcohol, acetic acid, gasoline, and even certain types of painting oils. Before painting the ceiling, test the selected option on a piece of foam plastic, if within 5-10 minutes. the surface has not melted, which means you can safely use the paint.
Painting a foam ceiling
From the given list of materials, any paint is suitable for painting ceiling tiles. The only exception is white water-based emulsion. If you paint the ceiling in a bathroom or kitchen, the painted surface will very quickly take on a dirty gray appearance. For these cases, it is best to use latex paints.
How to paint ceiling tiles in the living room or bedroom. The best option There will be acrylic paints. The more relief there is on the surface of the ceiling tile, the less shine there should be. It is best to paint the imitation stucco molding in several layers of titanium white on acrylic varnish.
When choosing a ceiling in a classic style, owners prefer to paint the ceiling surface in white. This perfect solution for combination with dark wallpaper, furniture and flooring. Traditionally, we paint the ceiling surface in light colors to increase the light output in the room, but today all experts recognize distributed lighting options consisting of several LED lamps built into the ceiling as more practical. suspended ceiling. In this case, it is better to paint the foam tiles in muted grayish or colored shades.
For the kitchen, bathroom, hallway, the ceiling surface can be painted with colors, rich tones In most cases, the owners prefer to paint the children's room and bedroom to match the interior.
How to paint polystyrene ceiling trim with your own hands
The ceiling surface, finished with foam tiles, is always visible. It doesn’t matter what type of lighting is used, any defects, stripes, dirt become clearly visible on the ceiling, you just need to change the angle of view. Therefore, the main task when applying paint is to obtain the most uniform coating; the tiled surface must be painted so that tool marks and paint stains are not visible.
At the first stage, it is necessary to clean the glued foam tiles from dust and dirt. To do this, the decorative surface is initially cleaned with a vacuum cleaner with a long-hair attachment. It is important to remove dust accumulated in the edges of the tile relief before the turn of wet cleaning comes. If the tiles have stood on the ceiling for only a few days, this can be enough; for all other cases, the surface should be touched with a damp brush with detergent and a dry, clean cloth.
Before painting, the ceiling surface must be primed. The best way to do this is with a lint roller. After 10-12 hours the ceiling can be painted.
The highest quality of painting can only be achieved using a spray gun; it is recommended to resort to this method at the stage of final finishing and coating with glossy varnish. It is convenient to apply colored paints with a roller, but if there are a lot of relief patterns on the surface, it is best to paint the foam with a regular paint brush. In any case, when painting, the ceiling surface must be illuminated from at least two directions to avoid shading of the relief.
The ceiling must be painted at least twice, the second layer of paint must be applied in a direction perpendicular to the first layer, which will even out the tone and color density on the ceiling surface.
Conclusion
A prerequisite for painting is the absence of drafts and uniform drying of the painted surface, without the use of heaters or fan heaters. It is advisable, before painting the ceiling in the room, to do a wet cleaning, remove dust from the furniture and cover it with plastic wrap. Experts usually recommend inspecting the tiles first and checking the quality of their fastening to the ceiling, since an additional layer of paint and mechanical load can tear them out of place.
There are quite a large number of solutions for finishing the ceiling. One of the simplest and most affordable finishing options is foam tiles. This material is very easy to install, lightweight, convenient and inexpensive - but over time its visual characteristics deteriorate due to exposure to dust and light. To prevent this from happening, the tiles can be painted. This article will discuss how to paint foam ceiling tiles.
The need to paint tiles
Foam tiles are one of the few trim materials that have to be painted at some point. The question of whether it is possible to paint ceiling tiles is generally inappropriate - it is almost mandatory to paint them. This aspect must be taken into account at the design stage of the ceiling structure, if it will be covered with foam plastic.
It's all about natural feature the material itself:
- The foam is covered with micropores invisible to the eye. Because of this, various contaminants and tiny particles present in the air are layered, so a condensed film is formed on the surface of the foam. In rooms where there are various fumes (for example, in kitchens), this process occurs even faster.
- Any parts made of polystyrene foam, regardless of the base material to which they are attached, are susceptible to static electricity. As a result, dust is steadily attracted to the surface of the tile.
Manufacturers of foam tiles are well aware of these features of this material and often mention the need for painting in the instructions for it. However, in the end, this item is left to the homeowner - and only he can decide how to paint the tiles on the ceiling, and whether it needs to be done at all.
Standard ceiling foam products are tiles with a simple design or pattern on the surface. Such tiles are simply glued to the prepared base. It is best to paint it directly after installation - firstly, this will immediately create a protective layer that prevents contamination of the ceiling, and secondly, foam products themselves do not look very attractive, and paint will improve their appearance.
Painting tiles must be approached individually. Certain varieties of this material should be painted not once, but twice - for example, if the texture of the tile imitates natural or decorative stone. In this case, the first layer of paint is applied to the surface of the material and dried, and after that the parts can be rubbed with shiny varnish. In how to update ceiling tiles, the sequence of actions does not play a special role - you can paint them both before and after installation.
Paints for foam tiles
When everything has become clear about the need for painting, it’s time to deal with the question of how to paint the foam tiles on the ceiling. This question is quite important, because not every composition is suitable for such work, so the need arises for the correct selection of paint.
The problem is associated not only with the characteristics of the paints, but also with the constant change in the composition of the foam tiles. Manufacturers are always trying to make their products better and more durable, and they use a variety of additives - various stabilizers and components that extend the life of the tiles. On the market you can even find special versions of tiles that have a polymer coating, so there are no special problems with the question of how to paint a foam ceiling - the range of available options is very extensive.
Three types of paints are suitable for finishing foam tiles:
- Acrylic;
- Latex;
- Water-based.
If we boil this entire list down to one general rule, it turns out that any paints that do not contain solvents are suitable for painting polystyrene foam. For example, nitro paints or alkyd enamels are not suitable for processing tiles - such a coating will instantly destroy the structure of the foam. The same applies to formulations that contain alcohol, chlorine, acetone and gasoline.
To avoid problems with paint, before updating your foam ceiling tiles, it is best to take a small piece of this material and cover it with your chosen paint. If the part does not deform within 10 minutes, then the paint can be used for finishing.
Choosing paint for tiles
- All types of paints described above are suitable for most situations. The only exception is white water-based paint - if you use it to finish tiles in the kitchen or bathroom, the ceiling will very quickly become covered with a gray layer of dirt. Latex paints are best suited for these rooms.
- Acrylic paints are best suited for a living room or bedroom. If the surface of the tile is too textured, then the amount of shine should be kept to a minimum. If there are parts imitating gypsum stucco, the best option The paints will be titanium white on acrylic varnish.
- To decorate the ceiling in a classic style, the easiest way is to use plain white paint - this solution is perfect for most situations. However, the combination with dark wallpaper, furniture and floors will look best.
- It is believed that the ceiling should be painted in light colors to increase its ability to reflect light. This is true, but if they are used as lighting led lamps, then this ability will not have much significance. When combining foam tiles and LED lighting the ceiling should be painted with matte paint in gray or muted colors.
- In kitchens, bathrooms and hallways, the ceiling can be painted with fairly bright colors. It is preferable to paint children's rooms and bedrooms in a color that matches the overall tone of the interior in order to increase the comfort of the room.
Of course, there may be exceptions to these rules - in the end, the final decision on what paint to paint the ceiling tiles still rests with the homeowner.
Ceiling tile painting technology
The ceiling is a fairly noticeable part of the room, so its finishing must be approached no less carefully than everything else. Regardless of the type and characteristics of the lighting, all defects in the ceiling tiles will be noticeable - and it is for this reason that the paint must be applied so that there are no noticeable streaks or tool marks left on the ceiling.
The algorithm for painting ceiling tiles consists of the following steps:
- Before you renew the tiles on the ceiling, you need to completely remove all dirt and dust from the surface of the tile. A regular vacuum cleaner equipped with a long-pile attachment is quite suitable for this job. Dust must be removed before the ceiling is washed, otherwise lumps of dirt will clog the pores. To ensure that the cleaning is as complete as possible, you should walk over the surface of the tiles with a damp brush and a non-aggressive detergent, and then wipe the ceiling with dry cloths.
- For high-quality adhesion of paint and tiles, the latter must be coated with a primer before work. If we are talking about foam tiles, then a nap roller is quite suitable for priming. Once the primer has dried (this usually takes about 12 hours), you can begin painting directly.
- Painting can be done using a variety of tools. For example, a spray gun is perfect for final finishing, as it allows you to achieve the highest quality of paint. A roller is suitable for applying colored paints to a simple surface, and if available large quantity relief, it is best to use a paint brush. The main thing you need to do when working is to constantly make sure that the paint lays down evenly and does not cause shading.
- The tiles must be coated with at least two layers of paint, with the second layer necessarily positioned perpendicular to the first. This arrangement of layers allows you to balance the color tone and make the coating as uniform as possible. Read also: "Painting foam ceiling tiles - why paint, how to paint correctly."
The described algorithm is general and does not take into account the characteristics of different paints. For example, in order to know how to paint ceiling tiles with water-based paint, you should understand the intricacies of its application in advance.
Conclusion
Painting foam tiles is an important operation that will make the ceiling finish more reliable. Before work, you need to figure out how to paint the tiles on the ceiling, study the painting technology and stock up on the necessary tools. If all these conditions have been met, then the work will proceed without any difficulties, and the result will be as high quality as necessary.
Expanded polystyrene tiles - popular finishing material. Despite its positive performance characteristics, surfaces covered with PPS panels require cosmetic repairs after some time. Those who have decorated rooms with this material are interested in the question of painting foam ceiling tiles and whether it can be done with their own hands.
Updating a laminated ceiling by painting is not challenging task even for a layman, however, not every paint comes into contact with polystyrene foam without damaging the latter. Many compositions tend to dissolve polystyrene foam, so painting it with enamels containing acetone, white spirit, toluene, etc. is contraindicated. Experts do not recommend covering tiles with oil paint.
Repairs that are safe for foam panels can be made using 3 types of paints and varnishes. They are varieties of water-dispersed coatings and differ only in fillers. Usually painted with the following compositions:
- acrylic paint or varnish;
- water-based;
- latex paint and varnish material.
The compositions do not contain aggressive solvents and have good coverage, although they have different prices. Restoring tiles with them is possible in a child’s room, since the materials do not pose a threat to the child’s health.
There is an affirmative answer to the question of whether it is possible to paint foam ceiling tiles, especially since manufacturers produce not only laminated colored panels, but also material specifically designed for subsequent painting.
In kitchens and bathrooms, the appearance deteriorates faster, because it is used in conditions of high humidity, so painting the ceiling tiles in these rooms provides additional protection to the finish and the ceiling itself.
Acrylic paint
It is made on the basis of polyacrylates and their copolymers, but it is odorless and harmless to health. The only drawback of this paint and varnish material is the high price, but this is offset by the following performance characteristics of the acrylic coating:
- resistance to changes in temperature and humidity;
- resistance to fading;
- color saturation.
Acrylic paint for ceiling tiles creates a durable glossy film on it. These compounds are easy to apply and dry quickly. Surfaces painted with them can be washed.
Water-based
You can update foam tiles with water-based paint. A composition based on a water dispersion of pigments and polymers creates a matte surface on the ceiling. Water-based paint is cheaper than other materials intended for painting tiles. To apply it, you can use sprayers, rollers and brushes. It lies evenly on the ceiling, well masking the seams between the panels. The coating has good vapor permeability.
Water-based paint is more prone to peeling and cracking. The coating does not withstand washing well. When finishing surfaces, especially in rooms with high humidity, it is better not to use white paint, as after a short time the ceiling will acquire a dirty gray tint.
Latex
Styrene-butadiene-based paint can create a matte or glossy surface. The moisture-resistant coating is elastic and resistant to ultraviolet rays. It is easy to apply and dries quickly. The disadvantage of paint is that it is not resistant to fungus formation. Paint applied too thickly will peel off.
Before painting foam tiles, it is better to find out what composition is suitable for painting indoor surfaces. Choice suitable remedy to update the ceiling should depend not only on the design preferences of the apartment owner. What paint to paint tiles in the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom must be decided based on the characteristics of the paint coating.
When finishing surfaces, especially in rooms with high humidity, it is better not to use water-based and latex paints. In the kitchen and bathroom, it is advisable to use a more moisture-resistant composition acrylic base. This material is better cleaned from contaminants.
If you still choose water-based paint, then the tiles in the bathroom and kitchen should not be painted white, as after a short time the ceiling will acquire a dirty gray tint. When choosing a composition for painting tiles, you need to remember that the applied coating may lighten or darken after drying.
Preparatory work
Without properly preparing the ceiling for repairs, it is impossible to achieve a good result. Before you begin the painting process, you should remove the furniture from the room. Despite simple ways When painting tiles, the floor and walls of the room must be protected from paint splashes.
Preparation for work begins with removing dust from the tiles. This can be done with a vacuum cleaner, brush, broom, etc. The ceiling in the kitchen often needs to remove greasy stains. The surface of laminated tiles should be lightly sanded to improve contact with the paint.
Sometimes it becomes necessary to seal tile joints. The joints between the slabs are puttied. The use of metal spatulas when leveling the composition is excluded, as they can damage the tiles. The adhesive properties of the surface will be improved by priming it with a composition appropriate for the type of paint. The paint and varnish material will lie more evenly on a primed ceiling.
Materials and tools
To update the design of the apartment you will need the following materials and tools:
- putty or acrylic sealant;
- color (pigment is added to paint in a ratio of no more than 1:10);
- rubber spatula;
- foam sponge;
- brush;
- roller (spray, etc.);
- stepladder (horses, table);
- cuvette.
It is necessary to wear protective clothing and use eye and respiratory protection.
Foam tile coating technology
Even if you know everything about painting ceiling tiles, you cannot immediately start painting the prepared surface. It is better to check how the color of the paint may change after drying by applying it to a fragment of a tile or a section of the ceiling.
The shade of the coating can be changed by adding a small amount of color to the paint material. The composition diluted with pigment should be enough to cover the entire area of the ceiling. Otherwise, stains will remain on the painted surface. different shades.
It is better to paint the ceiling in hard-to-reach places with a narrow brush. After this, you can begin painting with a sprayer or roller. It is better to paint tiles with a corrugated surface using a wide soft brush, a spray bottle or a long-haired roller.
You can paint ceiling tiles without streaks only by applying the paint evenly to the surface. When using a sprayer, keep it at the same distance from the ceiling. When spraying paint and varnish material, you should not linger in one place to prevent the formation of glossy spots. In the worst case, droplets will form in areas that are too wet. The same result will occur if the sprayer is too close to the surface.
When painting tiles with a roller, it is better to use a ditch. It is convenient to evenly moisten the pile of the painting tool in the container and remove excess paint from it. To highlight the relief pattern, use a foam sponge.
It is possible to achieve a better result by applying 2-3 layers of coating. Each subsequent one is applied only after the previous ones have dried. You can check how evenly the enamel has been applied by illuminating the ceiling with a bright lamp. The first layer is applied perpendicular to the direction of the rays of natural light. The ceiling is painted starting from the window. The next layer is applied perpendicular to the first. If necessary, apply a third coat of paint. It, like the base one, is applied perpendicular to the window line.
During repairs, doors and windows in the room must be closed to prevent drafts.
It is better to dilute the paint for the first layer slightly with water: more liquid composition will lie more evenly on the surface and be absorbed into it.
Caring for ceiling tiles after painting is not difficult. The waterproof coating can be washed with a sponge or soft cloth soaked in a lukewarm soapy solution and wrung out. The moistened surface is lightly wiped with a napkin.
It is better to care for tiles coated with water-based paint using a vacuum cleaner. To remove dirt from a corrugated surface, it is better to use a soft brush or a brush with long bristles.
You may also be interested
During the next renovation, if you have decorated the ceiling with foam plastic tiles, but over time it has lost its original freshness and turned yellow, then painting the foam plastic ceiling tiles will return it to its former attractiveness.
If you are just starting a renovation and you need to repair the ceiling quickly, beautifully and efficiently, then good decision There will be a choice of foam tiles - an inexpensive, light-weight, easy-to-cut and easy-to-install material.
The overall design of the room consists of the design of the structural elements of the walls, floor, ceiling, windows and doors, other decorative elements, plus their correct combination in the interior.
Is it possible to paint foam ceiling tiles?
This is at your discretion, so I will give a couple of reasons in favor of painting:
- If the finishing is done in the bathroom or kitchen, then there are humid operating conditions. In the kitchen, additional grease will settle on the ceiling.
- Painting foam ceiling tiles will solve these problems, as it will protect and strengthen its structure and make it possible to wash it without difficulty. This argument dictates the advisability of painting the newly installed tiles, as it will extend its service life.
- In addition to the functional purpose, there is also an aesthetic side to the issue. After a certain period of time, the tiles acquire a yellowish color, which can be easily corrected by painting them.
You can give it any color - white, to match the walls, other options - it all depends on your taste and vision of the design of any room in your home. The finish will look more attractive and uniform, with an element of completeness.
How to paint foam ceiling tiles
The quality of the paint you choose determines not only the appearance of the finish, but also affects its service life.
Therefore, there are some requirements for it:
- High degree of adhesion;
- Resistance to humidity;
- Dense structure;
- Resistance to detergents and cleaning agents;
- It should adhere well to the surface;
- Do not fade from ultraviolet radiation.
In addition, painting of foam ceiling tiles should be done with a painting material that does not contain substances that dissolve foam (white spirit, toluene, acetone);
In view of this circumstance, the most acceptable finishing option is water-dispersion compositions made on the basis of water. In practice it has been revealed that best paint job Polystyrene foam ceiling tiles are made with acrylic and water-based solutions.
Acrylic compounds
Among the water-dispersed group, acrylic dispersions have proven themselves well. They contain acrylic polymer components or resins. They can be considered universal.
Advantages of acrylic compositions:
Environmentally friendly, practically odorless;
Easy to work with, dry quickly;
After drying, it forms a surface vapor-permeable film, so that the surface “breathes”;
They are not exposed to ultraviolet radiation and are resistant to temperature changes;
They are moisture resistant, so the surface can be washed even with detergents;
It has a wide color palette and does not lose its original appearance for a long time;
The high cost is perhaps one of the disadvantages of acrylic painting, but if you compare the cost and long service life with maintaining a good appearance, then it completely pays off. In addition, it should not be applied in an excess layer so that it does not peel off.
Water-based paint
Water-based paint is a water-based emulsion containing grains of polymers in a suspended, undissolved state and pigments. This is the most popular variety of the water-dispersed family, most often used and familiar to all of us.
Advantages of water-based paint:
Compared to its acrylic counterpart, it is quite cheap;
It lays well and evenly on the base, dries quickly, does not leave streaks, a roller or brush is suitable for painting;
Environmentally safe for others, odorless;
Has vapor-permeable properties;
Can be tinted quite well in different shades;
The disadvantages include:
Water-based paint should not be applied too liberally, as a thick layer may begin to crack and peel.
The base quickly becomes dirty, as it easily absorbs grease deposits in the kitchen, yellow tobacco smoke, and dust.
The reduced threshold of water resistance does not allow you to wash it properly, as it will eventually be washed off with water.
Due to the low price factor, water-based emulsion is statistically the most widely purchased. Based on the characteristics and cost, decide which paint you would prefer to paint the foam ceiling tiles with.
Preparatory stage
First of all, a number of preparatory activities should be carried out, which include:
Preparing the room:
Emptying the room of furniture or covering it with film.
Also protect flooring, walls, if you don’t plan to update them.
Wear personal protective equipment to protect your eyes, head, and hands.
Prepare necessary tools to perform work:
"Goat" or stepladder;
Roller and brushes of different sizes;
Container – tray.
Preparing ceiling tiles for painting
New tile
If the tile is new, then it is necessary to seal all the joints in contact with each other and along the perimeter of the room at the junction with the baguette after installation.
First of all, check whether it is properly glued everywhere, especially its corners to the base of the ceiling; glue them if necessary. This can be done with finishing (secondary) putty, then lightly sanded with fine sandpaper.
Acrylic sealant will seal the joints perfectly. This process of finishing the surface is necessary to give the ceiling completeness.
Previously installed tiles
If the tiles are not new and have lost their appearance, become yellow or greasy (in the kitchen, for example), then clean them from dust and wash them with a foam sponge if necessary.
Pay special attention to the quality of the joints, because over time they could partially collapse. We update the joints by first priming them.
Using a small spatula, we putty them as deeply as possible; it is more convenient to do this even with your fingers for better penetration of the composition into the depths. Remove excess with a foam sponge.
After the mixture has dried, lightly polish the roughness with sandpaper. To prevent stains from appearing through a layer of paint that will not adhere well to old tiles, prime it.
Also select a water-based primer so that it does not spoil the tiles. Acrylic primer is perfect for these purposes.
You can prime the main area of the ceiling where the foam ceiling tiles will be painted with a roller, and use a brush to prime the corners and places where the tiles meet the baguette. Once is enough, but if the finish is not new, then twice will not be amiss.
Painting foam ceiling tiles
We will paint with acrylic or water-based compositions. Painting ceiling tiles with water-based paint is cheaper and more common, but the choice is up to the owner.
In places where the ceiling meets the walls, in order to protect the wallpaper, apply masking tape around the perimeter of the room.
As for the color scheme, this is only your vision of color in the overall design of the room. We prepare the painting material in advance in the required quantity for the entire volume of the ceiling. If there is a need for tinting, we do it.
The tools you will need are a roller, preferably with natural bristles, and small brushes for narrow places and ceiling plinths. If the ceiling is too embossed, then paint the raised areas with a brush, and then paint the entire ceiling mass with a roller.
If the relief is too deep with a complex pattern, it is better to use a spray gun - a more uniform surface is obtained, and all inaccessible points are painted over.
Everything is prepared, painting of the foam ceiling tiles begins. Do not take a lot of it onto the roller so that the layer is not too thick and there are no smudges, otherwise it may subsequently begin to peel off.
Start working from any corner of the ceiling; it is advisable not to bring the roller right up to the wall, so as not to accidentally smear it. It is better to then carefully paint these places with a small brush along with the baguette.
When painting, we orient the roller in one direction so that the surface looks more uniform. We wait for the first layer to dry, and only then apply the next layer.
If you are working with water-based paint, then apply the first layer from the window in the direction of the light from it. After the first paint has dried, apply a second layer, but perpendicular to the first.
It is recommended to apply the water-based emulsion three times after the previous layers have completely dried. The direction for the third time is again in the direction of the light from the window, then the ceiling will turn out to be 100%.
For the ceiling to dry properly, a certain humidity regime is required, so doors and windows are closed, the surface must dry naturally, especially if it has a relief pattern.
You can easily paint foam ceiling tiles yourself; you just need to properly prepare the surface, choose the right paint composition and consistently carry out the entire range of work.
