How to Paint Existing Suspended Ceilings

Cover an area of the floor with a drop cloth or plastic tarp to create a painting workspace. Tape the tarp to the floor, or place bricks in the corners to hold the tarp down. Cover furniture that is near the paint area. Tape off the wall where the ceiling grid and wall meet if you will be painting the ceiling grid.

Lay out another tarp in a well-ventilated area where the painted panels can be laid to dry.

Remove one or more ceiling panels; select as many panels as will fit in your drying space. Press one side of the panel up 3 inches and tilt the panel while supporting the far side with your other hand. Press the far side up to disengage it from the ceiling grid. Angle the panel slightly with one side above the other. Lower the panel out of the grid, keeping it at the same angle.

Lay one panel on the painting tarp. If you removed multiple panels, stack the panels in a clean dry place.

Place about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of paint in the well of a paint tray. Dip the head of the roller into the paint, and roll it against the ridged portion of the paint tray until the paint forms sharp peaks and makes a tacky sound.

Roll the paint onto the panel in a continuous up and down motion, rotating the head of the brush with every pass so that the brush strokes are angled in all directions. Reload the brush and refill the paint tray as needed.

Set the painted panel in the drying area for 24 to 48 hours. As the material is highly-absorptive, increasing the drying time helps to remove moisture and prevent mold and mildew growth.

Repeat Steps 4 through 7 until all of the panels you removed are painted and dry.

Repeat Step 3 to remove the remaining ceiling panels.

Attach the roller to an extension pole. Load the brush with paint and run the roller along the ceiling grid. Use a brush and ladder to paint around lighting fixtures or corners. Allow the grid to dry for for 24 to 48 hours. Open the windows and move fans into the room to increase air circulation.

Replace the ceiling panels one at a time, starting with the perimeter panels and working toward the center of the ceiling. Hold the panel flat, then angle one side of the panel upward and insert the piece straight up into the grid. Place the lower side of the panel against the ceiling grid. Lower the opposite side, and slide your fingers out from between the panel and the ceiling grid. Use both hands to support the panel evenly, lift it up and lower it to settle the panel in place.