Ceiling Tiles
Prefabricated ceiling tiles are attached either to an existing ceiling or to furring strips. Staples or nails, either with or without adhesive, or adhesive alone secures the tiles.
Often, ceiling tiles show the effect of water damage. To conceal stains or streaks in tiles, apply a primer or clear sealer. When the tiles are dry, you can paint them with latex paint.
Another problem you may en-counter is dents or chips in tiles. Illus-trated at right are the steps in removing and replacing a dented tile with tongue-and-groove edges. You cut through all four joints and pry the tile off its backing; pry out the cut-off tongues from the grooves in the adjacent tiles. Use pliers to remove remaining staples or nails; scrape off adhesive.
After cutting the tongue off one side of the replacement tile, apply ad-hesive to the back of the tile or to the
ceiling (follow the tile manufacturer’s directions). Position the tile over the opening, slip the remaining tongue into the groove of an adjacent tile, and press in place until the adhesive holds; or use a floor-to-ceiling brace to hold the tile until the adhesive is dry.
Replacing A Damaged Ceiling Tile
Painting Over Wall Repairs
A fresh coat of paint is a fast and effective way to conceal wall repairs. Depending on the size of the repair and the availability of matching paint, you can paint just the repaired area, the whole wall, or the entire room. Here are some guidelines to help you get ready for the job.
Selecting paint and tools. The type of surface you’re covering determines the kind of paint required. If you have paint left over from the original job, you’re in luck. If not, refer to the chart at right for the appropriate paint.
Choosing the correct brush is im-portant, too. The type of bristle should suit the paint or stain you’re using; the brush size must fit the job. Select a natural-bristle brush to apply oil-base paint, Polyurethane, varnish, or shellac. Use brushes with synthetic bristles to apply water-base (latex) paint.
For wood stains, use either type of brush. Choose a 1-inch brush for hard-to-reach areas, a 2 to 3-inch brush for medium-size surfaces, and a 31/2 to 4-inch brush or 9-inch roller for large areas, such as entire walls. Use a thick-napped roller for textured walls.
Preparing the surface. Before you can apply the paint, you may need to sand and wash the surface. In most cases, you will at least have to apply a primer to ensure that your repair will not show. For more information, see the Sunset book Wall Coverings.
