Dry Ice Blasting Provides the Right Touch for Restoration of Original Tin Ceiling

Classic American tin ceilings can be the crown jewel of a historic restoration project, but salvaging the fragile plates of stamped metal from beneath layers of lead paint can be challenging.

Traditional blasting methods can leave tin ceilings gouged and warped, while hand scraping and chemical strippers make for tedious and slow-going work that is often impractical for commercial and industrial restoration.

It’s an ideal project, however, for more innovative methods like dry ice blasting and sponge blasting. For a restoration project in Minnesota where contractors were transforming a century-old bank into retail space as part of a downtown redevelopment project, the Polar Clean team was called in to see what could be done with the original tin ceiling, which was covered in flaking lead-based paint.

Gentle, Water-Free Removal of Flaking Paint

Dry ice blasting is a water-free, chemical-free process that uses frozen CO₂ pellets that sublimate on contact, so there is no risk of introducing collateral debris or water into a delicate restoration setting.

In the front half of the building, the owners liked the look that dry ice blasting created in removing the flaking paint but leaving some well-adhered patches behind. In the remainder of the space, they wanted the paint completely removed from the tin ceiling.

Sponge Blasting for Tin Ceiling Paint Removal

Complete removal of layered paint often requires more abrasive force than dry ice blasting can provide. Sponge blasting – which minimizes dust but is gentle enough to avoid damaging the tin – can be used in combination with dry ice blasting for removing paint layers that are more firmly adhered. For this project, however, dry ice was able to achieve both results, creating the mottled effect in the front and completely removing the paint in the back, leaving the ceiling undamaged in the process.

The Polar Clean team also used dry ice to blast paint from the doors of the old bank vault.

The Polar Clean Difference

The result was a stunning transformation and happy building owners. The Polar Clean team came prepared to handle whatever the project required, including the use of negative air containment and Tyvek suits for our technicians, as required for the safe removal of lead paint.

With deep experience, specialized training and certifications, and a range of blasting capabilities, including abrasive blasting, we provide safe, effective and reliable commercial and industrial cleaning services for challenging projects.

Learn more about our solutions for historic restoration in our guide, Blasting Solutions for Restoration Projects. You can also speak to a member of our team to learn more about our solutions for your commercial and industrial cleaning challenges.

Learn more about dry ice and sponge blasting for restoration