Polystyrene Tiles

[cathy_g]

What is the best paint to use on polystyrene tiles?

[Diamondson]

Assuming that these are fixed to your cieling, then any decent quality emulsion paint will do the job. If they are uncoated at present then the first coat will take a while to do. Would certainly recommend two coats of MAT emulsion. Use a decent long bristle brush to get a good finish. Don't be tempted to go for a cheap paint, it is false economy. You will end up using twice as much to get a nice finish. Hope this is of help.

[raysparx]

Don't mean to put a downer on it cathy, but why don't you take them off,if they are on the ceiling these tiles are a fire hazard, and very toxic if they catch alight,

if you are keeping them,then obviously go for a good quality paint, and as Diamondson says Matt finish

Good luck whatever you decide

[Diamondson]

Polystyrene tiles are indeed a fire hazard. It can be a bit messy stripping them. One problem is the adhesive, if it is not water soluable. The main problem could be the state of the ceiling (asuming it is the ceiling). People tended to use these to cover up tatty plaster and bad cracking. Is it your own house? If so then it would probably be worth getting rid of them for safety's sake.

[JudgeJ]

As has been mentioned polystyrene tiles are highly inflammable. They become even more so when painted (I read the reason for this some years ago but have forgotten what it is). Furthermore, if they do catch fire the burning substance turns to liquid and drops (still in flames) on to anything and anybody underneath, thus spreading the fire far more quickly.

(Too) many years ago I took part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. Among the many things we undertook was a course in basic firefighting at the local fire station. We were given a demonstration of various types of fire in the station yard (chip pans etc) and a fire involving polystyrene tiles was amongst the subjects. It was horrendous! The small demonstration box in which the simulated tiled ceiling was placed was rapidly engulfed in flames and vast quantities of thick evil-smelling smoke was produced.

I vowed never to have these things in any place I lived in. A fire of any sort is bad enough, cathy_g. I strongly recommend removing the tiles. If you cannot make it good yourself, consider getting a plasterer to skim your ceiling. It will cost a bit more than a tin of paint but will be a very worthwhile investment.

[cathy_g]

Hi guys. Thank you for your answers. The tiles are on my bathroom ceiling and although they are in really good condition, they are looking a bit grotty and I needed some advice on which was the best way to deal with them. Unfortunately I cannot take them down as the ceiling underneath is too uneven and no one in my house is any good at d.i.y!!!!

Thanks to everyone who answered the question.

[Diamondson]

Some really good advice here Cathy, but as they are in a bathroom then obviously the fire risk is very low indeed. I'd go ahead with the matt emulsion.