How to Clean Up a Cracked Painted Tin Ceiling

Place a heavy painter's drop cloth under the area that is being stripped, as most strippers can damage floor and counter finishes.

Wearing protective goggles and gloves, trowel Peel Away (a sodium hydroxide paste) onto the surface of the ceiling. It is essential to wear goggles when working overhead as any dropping stripper or dirt can cause blindness. It is necessary to wear good rubber gloves, as Peel Away will burn the skin.

Press the Peel Away paper/plastic sheeting into the paste, conforming to the ridges and pattern of the tin panel. (This product will occasionally cause large sections of thick paint to pull away and fall to the floor, so leave the drop cloth in place for the duration of the stripping process.) Leave the Peel Away on from 12 to 24 hours (but no longer than 24 hours, as it may cause surface pitting if left on too long).

Peel the paint off when you peel the paper the next day. Depending on your ceiling, this may need to be done more than once. When finished, wipe the now-clean surface down with rags. Discard the Peel Away papers and rags.

Apply a quality primer and rust preventive that is designed for tin. Finish by applying a colored metal or metallic paint for a uniform finished appearance.