Painted exposed spiral duct
Finished exposed ceiling
Before you start
- Confirm paint system, color, sheen, finish-repair method, field-cut restrictions, fastener appearance, hanger finish, and whether final paint occurs before or after installation.
- Inspect every painted surface under good light before lifting.
- Use clean gloves and padded storage. Painted spiral is easy to chip at beads, ends, and support contact points.
- Have the approved color-matched touch-up system on site before work begins.
Tools and materials
Painted spiral duct, gasketed or concealed-fastener joint components, padded slings, clean gloves, painted architectural hangers, approved edge protection, color-matched touch-up products, soft cleaning supplies, laser, level, and nonmarking pads.
Lay it out
- Complete a trial layout and fitting check before final paint whenever the project sequence allows.
- Plan seams, fasteners, labels, cut edges, and support contacts away from the most visible face.
- Set the hanger and joint rhythm before the first painted section is installed.
Set and support it
- Install finished hangers carefully and isolate sharp contact points.
- Use padded slings and clean lifting equipment.
- Support sections before connection so painted ends are not dragged together.
Make the connection
- 1
Inspect and clean both painted ends.
- 2
Protect any approved field-cut edge immediately using the specified system.
- 3
Align sections before seating the joint so the painted surfaces do not scrape.
- 4
Complete the gasketed or concealed-fastener connection.
- 5
Keep visible fasteners aligned and consistent.
- 6
Touch up only approved minor damage using the correct preparation and product.
- 7
Clean the surface without changing the sheen.
Check the install
- No chip, scratch, scuff, exposed cut edge, or mismatched touch-up is visible.
- Color and sheen remain consistent.
- Fasteners, seams, joints, and supports follow the approved visual pattern.
- No crooked label or temporary mark remains.
- The finish is clean from normal viewing distance and under task lighting.
Common mistakes
- Field drilling the visible face without approval.
- Using a touch-up product that matches color but not sheen.
- Dragging painted ends together during fit-up.
- Removing protective material too early.
Stop and ask
Stop if the finish-repair system is not approved, the color or sheen does not match, visible damage exceeds the repair allowance, or the joint method will scar the finished face.