Sand the tile to promote adhesion.
Staple-up tile is a ceiling veneer that contains decorative imprints. This particular type of ceiling tile is composed of plastic or vinyl. Each of these surfaces are ill-suited for primer and paint adhesion because they are nonporous. Before you refinish the tiles with paint, abrade the vinyl or plastic to promote adhesion. Once you've prepared the tile, it accepts a painted finish. Select a particular type of paint based on personal preference.
Instructions
1. Access the staple-up ceiling tile via a stepladder. Scour the vinyl or plastic with sandpaper until it feels slightly rough.
2. Protect areas of the wall adjacent to the tile from paint overlap by covering them with painter's tape. Protect the floor with fabric drop cloths.
3. Attach a 1/2-inch nap cover to the roller frame. Screw an extension pole to the roller frame.
4. Fill a 5-gallon bucket with 2 gallons of latex primer.
5. Apply latex primer to the abraded staple-up tiles using the roller. Begin in the far left-hand end of the room. Roll vertically, moving from left to right. Continue until the ceiling tiles are coated with primer. Use a synthetic polyester paintbrush to apply latex primer to awkward areas inaccessible to the roller. Wait two hours for the tiles to dry.
6. Wash your brush and roller with water.
7. Apply latex paint to the primed staple-up tiles. Apply the paint as you did the primer.
8. Wait two hours for the ceiling to dry. Inspect the tiles. Add another coat of paint if you can see the primer bleeding through.
Tags: latex primer, , paint primer, particular type, promote adhesion
