Summer is the ideal time for renovations. However, often the inconvenience of renovation and its high cost make us decide not to make changes. However, it is possible to make a metamorphosis of the kitchen in a cheap, quick and easy way. Tile paint will help with this.
What kind of tile paint to choose?
The most important step in painting tiles is to choose a special paint for ceramic tiles. Such a product creates a surface that is resistant to repeated contact with cold and hot water and various types of stains, also to discoloration with chemicals. The surface painted with this paint will be resistant to abrasion, washing and will not peel unsightly. To increase the adhesion of the paint to the surface of the tiles, special primers are used. They often contain quartz sand of very small granulation. After applying them, the surface becomes rough. There is also an easier solution. These are 2-in-1 paints, which do not require any primer. However, two-component paints require combining in the right proportions the two components supplied separately. You can choose from products that provide a satin or matte finish.
Polyurea, epoxy, acrylic and polyurethane paints are available on the market. Polyurea paints are two-component products. Their main component is polyurea resins. As a result, they are characterized by extraordinary resistance to mechanical damage, scratches and water. These paints are a fast-drying product, obtaining hardness even after 24 hours. Polyurea products form a smooth, glossy and easy-to-clean coating. Epoxy resin paints dry completely after about a week, creating a scratch-, wash- and scrub-resistant surface. Paints are available in matte, satin or glossy finishes. On a heavily used surface, consider applying an additional coat of clear polyurethane varnish, which will increase the durability of the epoxy paint coating. The most popular type of paint is acrylic products. You can get them even in home improvement stores. They are available in a 2-in-1 version or an ordinary one that forms only a decorative and protective layer. The coating formed by acrylic paint is not as hard as in the case of epoxy or polyurea paints, but in domestic use it is sufficient. Polyurethane paints create a scratch-resistant glossy surface. Note, however, that they have a strong, suffocating odor. So you need to use them only in a well-ventilated room.
Kitchen before the metamorphosis
© Tikkurila
How to prepare the tiles for painting?
Before getting down to work, you need to thoroughly degrease the tiles and clean the surface of the tiles from any dirt. You can do this with ordinary dishwashing liquid or a specialized cleaner. After washing the tiles, leave them to dry. Then get down to repairing any cavities and scratches. You can fill them with a special waterproof tile repair compound. Repair chipped grout as well. Be sure to sand off any excess cavity repair products. If you do not use two-component paint, you must apply a primer surface before painting. For this you can also use primers of textured paint, which contain coarse aggregate. Do the first coat with paint diluted with 10% water, and the second coat undiluted. The primer usually dries about three hours. If shiny areas are still visible after one coat and the surface is not completely matte, the process will have to be repeated. Also remember to protect all the parts you don't want to paint.
Tikkurila Luja Ceramic Tiles paint color L429 Indigo
© Tikkurila
Painting the tiles
You will need a paint tray, a small roller and, depending on whether you are also painting grout, a paint brush. Some of the paint can also be applied by spray. This is much more difficult, but you can get a perfectly smooth surface with it. About half an hour after applying the first coat, carefully tear off the painter's tape. If you do it later, the paint will dry on the tape, thus damaging the new coat of paint. Typically, you should apply a minimum of two coats. Decide on the final number of coats based on the information on the package of a particular paint and the degree of coverage and color intensity. This will ensure that you get a durable and uniform coating. Apply the next layer after the previous one has dried, that is, after several hours. Before applying each subsequent layer, you must again secure the space with painter's tape. Also remember that such specialized paints dry quickly, so you need to apply them efficiently. Do not forget to thoroughly ventilate the room, some products give off an unpleasant smell. In addition, the temperature in the kitchen should oscillate around 25℃. Humidity, on the other hand, must not exceed 80%. Such conditions will make the painted surface dry at the right rate, and the whole will be more aesthetically pleasing and durable.
Refreshed kitchen
© Tikkurila
Read more about the paints here
