Things You'll Need:
- Ladder
- Bucket
- Cleaning cloths
- Trisodium phosphate
- Safety glasses
- Rubber gloves
- Sandpaper
- Drop cloths
- Spray paint
- Painter's tape
- Contact cement
- Small roller
- Paint pan
- Utility knife
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Step 1
Clean the grid work with trisodium phosphate. Wear safety glasses and rubber gloves as this product is strong and can irritate bare skin. Rinse the grid with clean water and allow time for it to dry. Sand any rust spots with sandpaper.
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Step 2
Paint the gridwork with a semi-gloss enamel that matches the color of the new PVC ceiling tiles. Spray or brush the paint onto the gridwork. Cover any furniture and the floor with drop cloths to protect them from the spray. Cover any light fixtures in the ceiling with newspaper, taping it into place. Allow time for the paint to dry.
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Step 3
Remove the existing ceiling tiles to a well-ventilated area. If the ceiling tiles are removed one row at a time, it is easier to replace them back into the ceiling grid in the correct order.
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Step 4
Apply contact cement to the entire existing tile, and to the edges and flat areas on the reverse side of the new PVC tile using either a small paintbrush or a small roller. Allow the contact cement to sit for 15 minutes to develop the right amount of tackiness. Mark the center of each tile to align the new tile properly. Attach the PVC tile to the existing tile by aligning the center marks and pressing onto the contact cement. Trim the edges of the PVC tile to the size of the existing tile with a sharp utility knife. Replace the tile in the gridwork.
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Step 1
Snap new grid covers into place over the existing metal grids. Tilt the grid cover and slide it onto the edge of the metal grid. Push up to snap the cover into place. Grid covers are available in a wide range of colors and finishes, including chrome and bronze.
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Step 2
Install new ceiling tiles, choosing either wood finishes such as oak or maple for the look of a wood ceiling or PVC-coated foam tiles that are etched to simulate a tin ceiling. These tiles can be painted by spraying or rolling paint onto the tile before installation.
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Step 3
Install crown molding or other decorative ceiling molding to complete the new look for the kitchen drop ceiling. Styrofoam moldings painted to match or contrast with the colors in the new ceilings attach with adhesives and include corner pieces for the molding to butt into, eliminating the need for mitering.
