old pressed "tin/metal" ceiling

[yanmars]

I have several hundred square feet of pressed embossed metal ceiling. I am sure it is all over 100 years old. One style from an old bar/restaurant. Covered in many layers of peeling/flaking lead paint, some rust especially on the back, bar grease and smoke.
I had planned to power wash the same, put some type of rust primer on them as needed and repaint. My daughter who is artsy thinks I should not paint them but keep the old patina. If I do that I would still like to contain/arrest the rust and keep the smaller retouched/repainted areas reasonable similar in color so the do not stand out too much.
Yes I am aware of lead paint. If I can encapsulate it in some matter like asbestos I think it was stop future peeling.
This will go in a converted barn ceiling but will have people present at times. Thoughts.
Some of the panels are not too fancy but the ones from the bar are pretty ornate. The cornice trim is quite large. Thoughts?

 

[dicktill]

I have several hundred square feet of pressed embossed metal ceiling. I am sure it is all over 100 years old. One style from an old bar/restaurant. Covered in many layers of peeling/flaking lead paint, some rust especially on the back, bar grease and smoke.
I had planned to power wash the same, put some type of rust primer on them as needed and repaint. My daughter who is artsy thinks I should not paint them but keep the old patina. If I do that I would still like to contain/arrest the rust and keep the smaller retouched/repainted areas reasonable similar in color so the do not stand out too much.
Yes I am aware of lead paint. If I can encapsulate it in some matter like asbestos I think it was stop future peeling.
This will go in a converted barn ceiling but will have people present at times. Thoughts.
Some of the panels are not too fancy but the ones from the bar are pretty ornate. The cornice trim is quite large. Thoughts?

No advice, but I love those old pressed-tin ceilings.

 

[Racer4]

I think it was 2 coats of paint to be considered encapsulated. Been a long time since I took that lead abatement seminar.

Maybe a couple clear coats if you like the original finish.

 

[EddieWalker]

Sherwin Williams has a clear coating for rust. I've used it on old wrought iron railings with good results. Just be sure to test it first. Even better, bring a panel into the store and tell them what you want to do.

 

[dougtrr2]

Love to see pictures

Doug in SW IA

 

[BackRoad]

It would be great to figure out a way to dip them in sealer rather than paint them, then lean them up to dry.

It would get the fronts and backs at the same time with near 100% coverage.

 

[ledmircy]

Clear coatings for lead encapsulation don’t come cheap, I don’t think it’s worth keeping that old paint.