Is there some kind of solvent that I can use to get water marks off my ceiling tile?

Question

This is old water marks. Whole roof has been replaces. Other mark is from a toilet that overflowed from an upstairs bathrool >5 years ago.

Answer 1

If the stains are fairly dark, you will have to apply oil-base Kilz or similar type product, and may have to apply two coats. Kilz is glossy, and this gloss will show through flat paint. To kill the gloss, you have to apply some texture first, which can be made by mixing one part flat ceiling/wall paint with 3- 5 parts joint compound(aka sheetrock mud). If the ceiling has yellowed/ browned a little with age and would like to try to avoid having to repaint the whole ceiling, you can try getting a few drops of paint colorant from paint store/dept dispensed into vitamin/medicine bottles... yellow oxide and or umber... which can be thinned/diluted with a little water and added to white paint to make very slight adjustments in the color.

Answer 2

Best bet is to determine if the source for the water has stopped. If the stains are being caused by humidity and not a leak, your best bet is repaint the tiles with Kilz. Kilz covers water marks and also acts as a sealer against future water marks. You can buy Kilz at any hardware store or places like Home Depot, Lowe's etc. However, if you have a leak, get it fixed first, paint later.

Answer 3

You can try the water / bleach thing that Marc suggested but in my experience (15 yrs in remodeling professionally) you will never get it to blend in with the rest of the ceiling properly.But it IS a good start. It will fade the stain somewhat.

I would use Kilz primer (which, by the way, is NOT glossy). If it is a large area, I would use canned paint and a roller. If it is small you can get it in a can called Upshot designed specifically for painting above your head. Then repaint the entire ceiling with two coats of good paint.

Guaranteed to work...

Answer 4

The best thing I've found for water stains in KILZ. it comes in a regular paint can, or a spray can. You will have to re-paint the tiles, but KILZ will cover the stains. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

i have used water diluted bleach try a 10to 1 mixture in a spray bottle 10 parts water 1 part bleach

Answer 6

for a quick fix, use athelete's foot spray on the marks, just as you would spray paint. the old mark won't bleed through.

Answer 7

there is a product called bin it is avaiable at canadian tire. it is a stain blocker. then just paint your ceiling and the stain won't show anmore.

Answer 8

Try hair spray or acetone. They always work ! good luck :-)