The Largest Manufacturer / Direct Shipper of Tin Ceiling Products in the World!

Finishing and Painting

On rare occasion, we have a customer who prefers a weathered 'rusted tin' look. However, most consumers want to avoid a rusted tin ceiling, therefore we recommend that unfinished panels be finished to prevent oxidation and rust. They can be painted or clear coated.

Following standard metal finishing rules will serve you well. Spray paints are almost always used when finishing metal. -Paint- Use a self-etching bonding primer certified for metal, then finish with polyurethane or enamel paint. - Clear Coat - coat unfinished tin with polyurethane or clear lacquer. A product with a certified rust inhibitor is preferable.

American Tin Ceilings provides a variety of superior quality pre-finished panels not offered by other manufacturers. We finish our panels in-house with a high-end industrial powder coat system. Under most circumstances, it is more cost effective to have us finish your tin opposed to finishing it yourself.

-- Painting --

1. Touch up paint- Matching spray paint can commonly be purchased at local hardware retailers for touching up nails, cut edges and nicks/scratches. When you receive your panels, take a panel to your local hardware retailer as a color sample and they can generally help you select the closest match. Alternatively, American Tin Ceilings has touchup spray paint available in select colors.

2. Painting Suspended Ceiling Grids to match your finished panels. Acquire your paint as described in step one. If your finish is antiqued or misted, use a multi-coat technique. First apply the base hue, then spray a second hue to simulate the antique or misted finish. The second step should be lightly misted from a distance to produce the subtle effect. A third step clear coat can add a finishing touch.

Suspended ceiling grids can be spray painted to match tin ceiling panels.

3. Faux finish wood molding or fixtures to match your finished panels. Click here to read an article on faux finishing wood molding >>

The following are the formula guidlines for faux finishing. These spray paints are available at most home centers and hardware stores. Always prime your parts before painting.

a) Antique Silver - Spray primed parts with silver metallic spray paint. Mist with Rustoleum Black Enamel spray paint from a distance of 12". If you want a satin finish, use black satin spray paint.
b) Antique Copper - Bright copper spray paint first, then mist with black enamel. (Refer to a.)
c) Antique Gold - Bright metallic gold spray paint. (Refer to a.)
d) Antique Burgundy - American Accents burgundy spray paint. (Refer to a.)
e) Antique Copper Burgundy - Copper first, then a 'mist' of burgundy followed by misting of black gloss enamel.

(note: Usually a can will do most small jobs. If you are doing a grid system, cans are definitely recommended. If you are doing a large wood crown job, it is advisable to rent a Wagner Sprayer for the main color. Preceding the sprayer, use cans for the overlays.

<< Back to Installation Directory