Painting pressed metal ceilings
Rusted pressed metal ceilings require specialist treatment. Few painters are experienced in this area. So its important to hire a painter who has done ceiling rust treatment before.
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Q. How do I Paint pressed metal ceilings?
Q. What is a Rust treatment for pressed metal ceilings?
Q. How do I fix a Rusty ceiling?
Below I discuss the ins and outs of fixing the rust BEFORE painting the ceiling.
Pressed metal ceilings (also known as pressed tin ceilings) look amazing and were popular from the 1880’s to the early 20th century - basically the Federation period. As an alternative to decorative plaster ceilings, pressed metal gave a small repeating pattern affect over the whole area.
They are especially popular in Mosman, Cremorne and the lower north shore of Sydney, where a lot of houses are Federation homes.
Pressed metal ceilings (also known as pressed tin ceilings) look amazing and were popular from the 1880’s to the early 20th century - basically the Federation period. As an alternative to decorative plaster ceilings, pressed metal gave a small repeating pattern affect over the whole area.
They are especially popular in Mosman, Cremorne and the lower north shore of Sydney, where a lot of houses are Federation homes.
Painting New Pressed Metal Ceilings
If you have new pressed metal ceilings or a repair has been made using new materials, it is most likely that they will be made of aluminium, which thankfully does not rust. BUT its essential to prime new aluminium panels before painting. An oil-based primer works best and will give your final top coats something to hold onto.
Then a long nap roller and good quality ceiling paint such as Dulux Ceiling White gets into most of the fairly shallow details. You may have to go back and touch up nail heads which can be deeper and harder to reach.
Then a long nap roller and good quality ceiling paint such as Dulux Ceiling White gets into most of the fairly shallow details. You may have to go back and touch up nail heads which can be deeper and harder to reach.
Painting Historic/Heritage Pressed Metal Ceilings
Historic or Heritage pressed metal ceilings were made of very thin steel, not aluminium. As a result these panels are often subject to rust. This rust can be anything from a light stain to actual holes. If the light staining is left alone it will get worse and eventually break through the steel.
(Usually when pressed metal has rusted right through, it needs to be replaced. There are some very good reproduction firms that sometimes have a perfect match AND as mentioned above these panels are now made out of rust proof aluminium.)
But, if the rust is only surface level it can be neutralised and painted FOR MUCH LESS MONEY ... by someone who knows how.
(Usually when pressed metal has rusted right through, it needs to be replaced. There are some very good reproduction firms that sometimes have a perfect match AND as mentioned above these panels are now made out of rust proof aluminium.)
But, if the rust is only surface level it can be neutralised and painted FOR MUCH LESS MONEY ... by someone who knows how.
Rusted Metal Ceiling Repair
As with all rust treatment, there are a few steps.
Not surprisingly, all this effort takes time and time is money, but it’s the only way to deal with a rusted pressed metal ceiling (apart from completely replacing it).
And its important to note that dealing with rusted metal ceilings is not a ‘usual’ painting problem. So you must find a painter who has done this work before and knows what’s involved.
I’ve seen too many homes where the owner or past painters just painted straight over the rust … and the rust popped back through within a matter of weeks or months, continuing merrily on it’s corrosive way.
- REMOVE as much surface rust as possible, with a motorised or hand held brass wire brush. This is dirty hard work and thats why a lot of home owners or cheap painters don’t do it. Also, its easy to be too heavy handed and go right through the metal.
- Apply RUST CONVERTER. Rust Converter is strong chemical designed to neutralise rust and seal it up preventing moisture getting.
- Apply a RUST INHIBITING PRIMER. An oil based primer with addition rust inhibitors to again seal up the old rust and keep future moisture out.
- Then, and only then, does the regular (water based) ceiling paint go on.
Not surprisingly, all this effort takes time and time is money, but it’s the only way to deal with a rusted pressed metal ceiling (apart from completely replacing it).
And its important to note that dealing with rusted metal ceilings is not a ‘usual’ painting problem. So you must find a painter who has done this work before and knows what’s involved.
I’ve seen too many homes where the owner or past painters just painted straight over the rust … and the rust popped back through within a matter of weeks or months, continuing merrily on it’s corrosive way.
