How to Paint Ceiling Tiles in a Drop Ceiling 

My thoughts exactly, I would remove them and paint them then put them back. What about the grids though, would you just paint them with a brush when the tiles are off?

Couldn’t you just take an exact knife to the piece you need tk remove later ?

Wouldn’t it be easier and just As effective to cover the grids with painter’s tape, rather than take the tiles down?

I know this is an old comment but I have a question to ask. If I spray a primer over the panels (after taking them all out of the ceiling like you've said) do I still need to use a ceiling paint or could I just use any white paint? Also after spraying a metal primer on the grid, could I use the same white paint I used on the tiles or would I need a metal paint as well? I've tried looking this stuff up but I can't find a good answer so I thought I'd ask here.

@@m0sshroom If you are using a professional paint sprayer with a pressure control, you do not need remove the tiles. You would need to just rest the tiles on top of the grid on their four corners. Set the paint sprayer pressure as low as possible. Professionals that work and do this in the institutions and commercial environments call this fogging. Make sure the grid is clean (free of rust, oils etc...) you can use vinegar and water to wiping the grid down with. Paint color can be any color. However, it be best to using a high quality primer\paint in one. This is best two coats. The pressure set low you will not be using a lot of paint, and you will have a higher quality. In institutions and commercial environments where ceiling are just white, I only use a primer.

What type of paint and primer would you recommend?

As an amateur painter, I would never suggest to anyone painting a drop ceiling to using this technique.

Did it hold up. Supposed to paint 1100 sq ft of acoustic tile tomorrow

I am sorry didn't read you message earlier. The ceiling tiles I painted hold up some I removed and painted on the floor and put it back once dry. I am not a professional painter but definitely looks way better than before. Good luck.

That's kind of the point... drop ceilings aren't typically worth the time. For ripping, just slice edges with a utility knife.

👍

Use a utility knife to cut around the tiles. Takes 10 seconds.

Going to do this now. And man tryna so this the right way is alot of work. But spraying paint on it even worst. Not expert on this literally running back and forth from home Depot to restaurants and returning stuff. Thank god I'm only doing the front of the restaurant. About 20 tiles. In the kitchen side. Fuck that. Doing this while on vacation. Already taking up all my time

Exactly. I was thinking the same thing. It wouldn’t take much time and it would look actually better if you take a few down at a time and paint them and let them dry for a day.

Way too much time, money, and work for me when I can just recolor them!

@@gameoflife7235 there is no more acoustic effect left in them afther the job u just did........

Yeah I agree, also them painted looks awful IMO.

I love to just remove the tiles for our restaurant as well. But our landlord are cheap ass mother fuckers. They been talking about replacing or fixing the roof top for longest time and nothing ever done. I'm afraid replacing tiles then all of sudden I need to replace it again. Been telling them to replace the front aluminum frame cause salt ate away the surfaces and nothing is done. So at some point if this is residential vs commercial, you gotta decide what's worth it not. Especially if you trying to attract customers into a restaurant.

There are pros and cons. Not everyone can afford an airless sprayer, especially if they just use it once. Not worth it. Also no masking required. This is a method anyone can do for just a few dollars and minimal prep.

I have a question wouldn't it be easier just to take the tiles down and paint them then put them back up when they're dry?

@@Johncollins219 No. You have to map every one and if you've ever had to install or remove ceiling tiles that fit properly, it's a royal pain and can often result in broken tiles when trying to re-fit them. I'm a very picky pro painter but this method, whilst not perfect, is better than living with discoloured or messed up tiles. Painting everything out to the same colour hides a lot of imperfections. Spraying is ideal but not everyone can afford a sprayer or spend the ridiculous amount of time it takes to protect every other surface in the vicinity.

The poster of the video apparently has so little money he can't afford a 40$ sprayer. I don't know how much money he spent on the paint, but given his other replies I'm assuming he legit scraped the paint off of another existing wall just to save money so that he can put it on his acoustic tiles.

Why would someone watch a video on how to paint ceiling tiles, if they don't want to paint ceiling tiles? This video is for people who intend to paint ceiling tiles.

@@gameoflife7235 I didn't search for this I stumbled across it, I'm a painter to trade

Please could you elaborate on what you said. I don’t know what’s wrong with painting ceiling tiles? I’m about to do that or spray them, due to the air space behind them were completely filled with insulation. So due to time and a pain in the ass I’m doing them in place.

@@RobertBangers They naturally absorb sound and make the room quieter. By painting them the paint will reflect the sound and cause the room to be louder. This is especially annoying in basements where you have utilities running and the sound bounces off the walls and allows the sound to reach a longer distance (which could reach upstairs through available airway)